freebeacon--2020-02-04--Senators Warn Georgia: U.S. Will Not Tolerate Backslide Into Authoritarianism

As Georgia teeters on the brink of a backslide into authoritarianism , two senators are warning that a campaign of repression against pro-Western protesters opens the door `` for increased Russian meddling in the country '' and jeopardizes the historically close relationship between the United States and Georgia .
Sens .
Jim Risch ( R. , Idaho ) and Jeanne Shaheen ( D. , N.H. ) , two leading foreign policy voices in Congress , issued a letter urging Georgian prime minister Giorgi Gakharia to stop repressing pro-U.S. voices and ensure that upcoming Georgian elections are not marred by corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 as election observers in Georgia .
The letter is the latest in a series of petitions from U.S. observers of Georgia , including House Georgia Caucus leaders and top officials on the House Foreign Affairs Committee .
The bipartisan group of lawmakers has sent increasingly critical letters to Georgian leaders in recent weeks , warning that the anti-U.S. backslide imperils the country 's democratic progress .
In addition to violently repressing protesters , the ruling Georgian Dream Party—led by Bidzina Ivanishvili , the country 's wealthiest citizen—has targeted pro-U.S. opposition leaders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now worried that Georgia will fall back into authoritarianism nearly 30 years after it broke free of the Soviet Union .
`` These events give us pause and raise questions about Georgia 's commitment to our shared values , '' Risch and Shaheen wrote .
`` Further , we fear that a lack of progress on reforms and increased tensions within Georgia will only open the door for increased Russian meddling in the country and throughout the region .
The longer these actions continue , the more Georgia 's security will be jeopardized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reevaluate our partnership . ''
The country 's failure to enact electoral reforms and subsequent suppression of protesters are chief concerns for Risch and Shaheen .
`` We are increasingly concerned by recent events that indicate a weakening of Georgian democracy and governance , '' the lawmakers wrote .
`` Two of the most pressing matters are Parliament 's failure to uphold its commitment to electoral reform and the government 's violent suppression of peaceful protests . ''
`` We understand that the promised electoral reform was expected to give proportional representation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not unduly favor any one political party , '' the letter said .
`` Your government 's decision to prevent that change indicates a backsliding from commitments to build the institutions of Georgia 's democracy .
Furthermore , the massive yet peaceful protests that followed are a visible sign that there is dissatisfaction with this failure .
The government 's violent suppression of these protests is a violation of Georgians ' democratic rights and of the government 's duty to protect its citizens . ''
U.S. officials are concerned that Ivanishvili 's ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discredit opposition leaders such as Giga Bokeria , a prominent member of the European Georgia Party .
Bokeria and other officials have been summoned to court over years-old cases that critics say are based on trumped-up charges .
`` The recent political targeting of opposition leaders through both formal and informal methods is further evidence of Georgia 's democratic backsliding , '' Risch and Shaheen wrote .
`` Reports that opposition leaders have been physically assaulted or harassed by individuals linked to the ruling party are disconcerting .
So too is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been closed for years .
Politicians must be permitted to exercise their right to speak freely , and Georgia 's judicial system should not be used as a tool to limit this freedom . ''
The senators said U.S. support for Georgia can not be guaranteed if the country continues down its current path .
`` We are motivated to support Georgia 's economic and political development only as long as we can rely on Georgia to be a stable , trustworthy , and democratic partner in this effort , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that you will work quickly to reverse this decline and fulfill the promises made to the Georgian people . ''

As Georgia teeters on the brink of a backslide into authoritarianism, two senators are warning that a campaign of repression against pro-Western protesters opens the door "for increased Russian meddling in the country" and jeopardizes the historically close relationship between the United States and Georgia.
Sens. Jim Risch (R., Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D., N.H.), two leading foreign policy voices in Congress, issued a letter urging Georgian prime minister Giorgi Gakharia to stop repressing pro-U.S. voices and ensure that upcoming Georgian elections are not marred by corruption. Risch and Shaheen both served in 2012 as election observers in Georgia.
The letter is the latest in a series of petitions from U.S. observers of Georgia, including House Georgia Caucus leaders and top officials on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The bipartisan group of lawmakers has sent increasingly critical letters to Georgian leaders in recent weeks, warning that the anti-U.S. backslide imperils the country's democratic progress.
In addition to violently repressing protesters, the ruling Georgian Dream Party—led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the country's wealthiest citizen—has targeted pro-U.S. opposition leaders to delegitimize their movement. U.S. officials are now worried that Georgia will fall back into authoritarianism nearly 30 years after it broke free of the Soviet Union.
"These events give us pause and raise questions about Georgia's commitment to our shared values," Risch and Shaheen wrote. "Further, we fear that a lack of progress on reforms and increased tensions within Georgia will only open the door for increased Russian meddling in the country and throughout the region. The longer these actions continue, the more Georgia's security will be jeopardized, and we may be forced to reevaluate our partnership."
The country's failure to enact electoral reforms and subsequent suppression of protesters are chief concerns for Risch and Shaheen.
"We are increasingly concerned by recent events that indicate a weakening of Georgian democracy and governance," the lawmakers wrote. "Two of the most pressing matters are Parliament's failure to uphold its commitment to electoral reform and the government's violent suppression of peaceful protests."
"We understand that the promised electoral reform was expected to give proportional representation to Georgian voters to ensure the system did not unduly favor any one political party," the letter said. "Your government's decision to prevent that change indicates a backsliding from commitments to build the institutions of Georgia's democracy. Furthermore, the massive yet peaceful protests that followed are a visible sign that there is dissatisfaction with this failure. The government's violent suppression of these protests is a violation of Georgians' democratic rights and of the government's duty to protect its citizens."
U.S. officials are concerned that Ivanishvili's ruling party is abusing Georgia's justice system to discredit opposition leaders such as Giga Bokeria, a prominent member of the European Georgia Party. Bokeria and other officials have been summoned to court over years-old cases that critics say are based on trumped-up charges.
"The recent political targeting of opposition leaders through both formal and informal methods is further evidence of Georgia's democratic backsliding," Risch and Shaheen wrote. "Reports that opposition leaders have been physically assaulted or harassed by individuals linked to the ruling party are disconcerting. So too is the reopening of criminal cases against opposition figures that have been closed for years. Politicians must be permitted to exercise their right to speak freely, and Georgia's judicial system should not be used as a tool to limit this freedom."
The senators said U.S. support for Georgia cannot be guaranteed if the country continues down its current path.
"We are motivated to support Georgia's economic and political development only as long as we can rely on Georgia to be a stable, trustworthy, and democratic partner in this effort," the lawmakers said. "We sincerely hope that you will work quickly to reverse this decline and fulfill the promises made to the Georgian people."


freebeacon--2020-02-04--Sanders Touts Endorsement From Iowa Dem Who Defended Convicted Terrorist

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders touted the endorsement of Ako Abdul-Samad , who once defended an al Qaeda propagandist and runs a Muslim-American organization so controversial that other Democrats have returned its donations .
`` I 'm honored to have Rep. Abdul-Samad 's endorsement , '' Sen. Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) tweeted ahead of Monday 's Iowa caucuses .
`` Together we 're going to win in Iowa , win the primary , defeat Trump , and build a nation that works for the working people of this country . ''
Abdul-Samad is an Iowa state representative and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alliance ( AMA ) , which has defended terrorist groups and domestic radicals .
Other Democrats have returned AMA donations , rather than promote its endorsement .
Hillary Clinton returned $ 50,000 in political contributions from the group after AMA founder Agha Saeed said Palestinians were justified in the use of violence against Israelis .
`` The statements that are attributed to the organization and some of its members are offensive and outrageous , '' Clinton said at the time .
The New York Times story on the Clinton controversy noted that several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making anti-Semitic comments , including Holocaust denial .
After being informed of Clinton 's decision to return the donations , AMA 's Massachusetts chairman told the Times that the `` Jewish community lobby '' was `` trying to intimidate her . ''
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Abdul-Samad took control of the AMA in 2017 and moved the organization 's headquarters to Iowa .
The imam had previously worked with AMA to demand the freedom of Aafia Siddiqui , the infamous `` Lady al Qaeda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. officials in Afghanistan .
Throughout her trial , Siddiqui objected to her Jewish lawyers and tried to exclude Jews from the jury pool .
`` This is a verdict coming from Israel , not America , '' she said following her conviction .
In addition to defending terrorist sympathizers , Abdul-Samad has also praised domestic hate groups .
In a 1998 interview with Cityweek , Abdul-Samad defended local Nation of Islam leader Preston Muhammad , described by the paper as `` one of Minister Louis Farrakhan 's most trusted associates . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` interested in helping people '' and that `` he has known Muhammad for almost 20 years . ''
`` We both have the same interest in dealing with the community , '' Abdul-Samad said .
`` We ’ d be foolish not to support trying to give youths and adults an alternative . ''
Abdul-Samad admitted he only interacted with Farrakhan 's followers when they sold newspapers on his street , though he would later give an interview to the Nation of Islam newspaper Final Call in 2007 .
AMA national director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video he posted to YouTube in 2013 .
The video attracted renewed scrutiny in 2018 when it emerged that one of the other men in the video was Democratic National Committee vice chairman Keith Ellison .
Ellison endorsed Sanders for president in 2019 .
The Vermont senator 's past associations with anti-Semitic leaders have also attracted scrutiny on the campaign trail .
As a congressman in 1994 , Sanders voted against a resolution condemning anti-Semitic rhetoric from a leading member of both the Nation of Islam and the New Black Panther Party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Panther Party .
He told the Des Moines Register in 2006 that he did not regret joining the violent militant black nationalist group .
`` We never did anything illegal , '' he said , leading the paper to note his string of arrests and that `` he was with five other Black Panthers at the group 's headquarters in the 1400 block of Forrest Avenue when a bomb exploded , leveling the building . ''
Abdul-Samad did not respond to a request for comment about his past comments and his decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iowa caucuses are still unknown after the state Democratic Party reported discrepancies in its vote-counting app .
The party has said it plans to release the final tally on Tuesday .

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders touted the endorsement of Ako Abdul-Samad, who once defended an al Qaeda propagandist and runs a Muslim-American organization so controversial that other Democrats have returned its donations.
"I'm honored to have Rep. Abdul-Samad's endorsement," Sen. Sanders (I., Vt.) tweeted ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses. "Together we're going to win in Iowa, win the primary, defeat Trump, and build a nation that works for the working people of this country."
I'm honored to have Rep. Abdul-Samad's endorsement. Together we're going to win in Iowa, win the primary, defeat Trump, and build a nation that works for the working people of this country.https://t.co/xtZpGbL1YI — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 2, 2020
Abdul-Samad is an Iowa state representative and serves as chairman of the American Muslim Alliance (AMA), which has defended terrorist groups and domestic radicals. Other Democrats have returned AMA donations, rather than promote its endorsement. Hillary Clinton returned $50,000 in political contributions from the group after AMA founder Agha Saeed said Palestinians were justified in the use of violence against Israelis. "The statements that are attributed to the organization and some of its members are offensive and outrageous," Clinton said at the time.
The New York Times story on the Clinton controversy noted that several other members of AMA had been accused of making anti-Semitic comments, including Holocaust denial. After being informed of Clinton's decision to return the donations, AMA's Massachusetts chairman told the Times that the "Jewish community lobby" was "trying to intimidate her.''
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Abdul-Samad took control of the AMA in 2017 and moved the organization's headquarters to Iowa. The imam had previously worked with AMA to demand the freedom of Aafia Siddiqui, the infamous "Lady al Qaeda" operative convicted of attempted murder of U.S. officials in Afghanistan. Throughout her trial, Siddiqui objected to her Jewish lawyers and tried to exclude Jews from the jury pool.
"This is a verdict coming from Israel, not America," she said following her conviction.
In addition to defending terrorist sympathizers, Abdul-Samad has also praised domestic hate groups. In a 1998 interview with Cityweek, Abdul-Samad defended local Nation of Islam leader Preston Muhammad, described by the paper as "one of Minister Louis Farrakhan's most trusted associates." Abdul-Samad told Cityweek that the Nation was "interested in helping people" and that "he has known Muhammad for almost 20 years."
"We both have the same interest in dealing with the community," Abdul-Samad said. "We’d be foolish not to support trying to give youths and adults an alternative." Abdul-Samad admitted he only interacted with Farrakhan's followers when they sold newspapers on his street, though he would later give an interview to the Nation of Islam newspaper Final Call in 2007.
AMA national director Mahdi Bray also hugged Farrakhan in a video he posted to YouTube in 2013. The video attracted renewed scrutiny in 2018 when it emerged that one of the other men in the video was Democratic National Committee vice chairman Keith Ellison. Ellison endorsed Sanders for president in 2019. The Vermont senator's past associations with anti-Semitic leaders have also attracted scrutiny on the campaign trail. As a congressman in 1994, Sanders voted against a resolution condemning anti-Semitic rhetoric from a leading member of both the Nation of Islam and the New Black Panther Party.
Abdul-Samad is a former member of the Black Panther Party. He told the Des Moines Register in 2006 that he did not regret joining the violent militant black nationalist group. "We never did anything illegal," he said, leading the paper to note his string of arrests and that "he was with five other Black Panthers at the group's headquarters in the 1400 block of Forrest Avenue when a bomb exploded, leveling the building."
Abdul-Samad did not respond to a request for comment about his past comments and his decision to endorse Sanders.
The results of the Iowa caucuses are still unknown after the state Democratic Party reported discrepancies in its vote-counting app. The party has said it plans to release the final tally on Tuesday.


freebeacon--2020-02-04--Connecting the IRGC to the Shootdown of the Ukrainian Passenger Jet

KIEV , Ukraine—On Jan. 8 , Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 , a Boeing 737-800 model passenger jet with slightly more than three years in service , crashed just outside of Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran , killing all 176 passengers and crew members on board .
It was the second major commercial aviation disaster connected to Ukraine involving an airliner shot down by a Russian-made air defense system .
One might suspect technological malfunctions led to the disasters .
Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and under the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , Iran 's military had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems .
The overthrow of the shah and Iran 's subsequent takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran prompted an embargo of spare parts and support equipment for those U.S.-made systems .
By the 1990s , Iran was forced to source weapon systems from Moscow .
PS752 was brought down by two 9M331 surface-to-air missiles from a Russian-designed Tor-M1 ( NATO designator SA-15 Gauntlet ) air defense battery .
This version of the system entered service in the early 1990s , around the time Iran began purchasing weaponry from Russia .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities with less than sophisticated means of properly and safely operating them should simply be curtailed , '' a NATO intelligence officer told the Washington Free Beacon .
However , the officer added that `` For all of the resources invested in the technology and procedural safeguards designed to prevent these disasters … all of it is useless if the crews manning these batteries are not operating under competent command and control systems . ''
The investigation into how PS752 was shot down is still ongoing , but the blame will likely not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon over an American one .
Instead , fault will be found with the organization of the Iranian military itself .
The Tor-M1 battery that shot down the Ukrainian plane did not belong to the Iranian Armed Forces .
It was an air defense unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) , which has its own command structure and almost never conducts joint exercises with the Armed Forces .
The mission of the IRGC is not to defend Iran or its airspace .
It is to protect the political leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Preserving the gains of the revolution '' is the euphemism the IRGC employs to describe its mission .
Today 's IRGC resembles the Soviet Union 's KGB , existing as a proverbial `` state within a state . ''
It aggressively recruits IT specialists to monitor social media platforms in Iran , deleting and blocking antigovernment sites .
It is also heavily involved in numerous smuggling operations , managed through a network of front companies and trading firms that utilize commercial business operations as a cover .
Iranian trading companies have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emirates and other high-volume international shipping hubs .
The consequence is that Iran has `` not one , but two militaries , '' as the NATO intelligence official put it .
Moreover , the IRGC 's influence outside of Iran and the income its smuggling operations bring in are deemed vital to the survival of the clerical regime .
The sprawling force was created at the birth of the Islamic Republic .
At first a motley collection of ideological—sometimes fanatical— '' true believers '' of volunteers or irregular formations , the IRGC is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iran .
It holds near-monopoly control over entire sectors of the Iranian economy : oil and gas , telecommunications , construction , import-export , and transportation .
Plus , it controls airports , seaports , and other vital infrastructure .
That control is one reason the Tor-M1 battery was placed so close to a commercial airport .
But that airport had additional significance for the IRGC .
Intelligence reports identify a nearby hangar stocked with `` short-range missiles , mortar shells , anti-ship missiles , etc . ''
The same intelligence assessments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal arms shipments .
Customers include the regime of Bashar al-Assad , the Shiite Hezbollah militia in Lebanon , and other militant formations across the Arab world .
The IRGC crew manning the Tor-M1 battery was unprepared to handle emergency scenarios .
Sources in Ukraine who spoke to the Free Beacon stated they were familiar with the training program the Iranians received from the Russian missile system 's suppliers .
In their assessment , the IRGC crews were inexperienced , as their training program did not include enough preparation for scenarios that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial air traffic hub .
Five days before PS752 was downed , a U.S. drone strike took out one of the IRGC 's senior commanders , Major General Qassem Soleimani .
The general had been responsible for conducting operations of the IRGC 's expeditionary Quds Force in Iraq .
When Iran counterattacked with rocket strikes on U.S. installations in Iraq , the Tor-M1 battery was put on alert .
The IRGC anticipated a U.S. retaliatory strike against the arms smuggling depot .
This was when the IRGC 's ability to act independently of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first problem .
Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh—commander of the IRGC 's Aerospace Force—requested the airport shut down all commercial traffic during the alert .
For unknown reasons , that request was not acted upon .
The IRGC 's missile battery was now on alert , with commercial traffic still ongoing—but there was another problem .
Most nations , according to a Ukrainian firm that spoke with the Free Beacon , `` have a comprehensive air defense network that provides full coverage of their airspace .
In addition to their own radars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a data feed from the civilian air traffic system—in order to give them a complete air data picture . ''
The IRGC did not have that complete picture .
`` In the case of this shootdown , '' the firm said , `` this Tor battery appeared to not be plugged into or experienced in pulling data from the regular armed forces combined air picture , which means they were operating in a ‘ standalone ' mode without the benefit of any accurate , real-time information . ''
Neither coordinating with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic , the Tor-M1 battery reportedly believed the Boeing 737 was an American attack drone or cruise missile .
The missile crew attempted to contact the Ukrainian airliner to determine its identity—but only gave the flight crew 10 seconds to respond .
They launched a missile , striking the aircraft .
The missile took out the transponder designed to signal that it was a civilian aircraft .
The crew then launched a second missile that shattered the plane 's air frame .
PS752 came apart in mid-air before it hit the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel deemed responsible for the shootdown into custody , but none have yet been punished .
The IRGC commanders involved will undoubtedly assert that the consequences of not firing—had the Boeing actually been an American attack drone—were greater than those of taking down a commercial aircraft .
This makes the passengers and crew of PS752 one more set of casualties of the IRGC—the shadow army that calls the shots in Iran—and its internal culture that all too often causes it to act as though it answers to no one .

KIEV, Ukraine—On Jan. 8, Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800 model passenger jet with slightly more than three years in service, crashed just outside of Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, killing all 176 passengers and crew members on board. It was the second major commercial aviation disaster connected to Ukraine involving an airliner shot down by a Russian-made air defense system.
One might suspect technological malfunctions led to the disasters. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and under the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran's military had been equipped with U.S. and other Western-manufactured weapon systems. The overthrow of the shah and Iran's subsequent takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran prompted an embargo of spare parts and support equipment for those U.S.-made systems. By the 1990s, Iran was forced to source weapon systems from Moscow.
PS752 was brought down by two 9M331 surface-to-air missiles from a Russian-designed Tor-M1 (NATO designator SA-15 Gauntlet) air defense battery. This version of the system entered service in the early 1990s, around the time Iran began purchasing weaponry from Russia.
"The transfer of sophisticated surface-to-air missile batteries to entities with less than sophisticated means of properly and safely operating them should simply be curtailed," a NATO intelligence officer told the Washington Free Beacon.
However, the officer added that "For all of the resources invested in the technology and procedural safeguards designed to prevent these disasters ... all of it is useless if the crews manning these batteries are not operating under competent command and control systems."
The investigation into how PS752 was shot down is still ongoing, but the blame will likely not fall on the use of a Russian-made weapon over an American one. Instead, fault will be found with the organization of the Iranian military itself.
The Tor-M1 battery that shot down the Ukrainian plane did not belong to the Iranian Armed Forces. It was an air defense unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has its own command structure and almost never conducts joint exercises with the Armed Forces.
The mission of the IRGC is not to defend Iran or its airspace. It is to protect the political leadership of Iran—specifically the clerical ruling order. "Preserving the gains of the revolution" is the euphemism the IRGC employs to describe its mission.
Today's IRGC resembles the Soviet Union's KGB, existing as a proverbial "state within a state." It aggressively recruits IT specialists to monitor social media platforms in Iran, deleting and blocking antigovernment sites. It is also heavily involved in numerous smuggling operations, managed through a network of front companies and trading firms that utilize commercial business operations as a cover. Iranian trading companies have been known to operate in the United Arab Emirates and other high-volume international shipping hubs.
The consequence is that Iran has "not one, but two militaries," as the NATO intelligence official put it. Moreover, the IRGC's influence outside of Iran and the income its smuggling operations bring in are deemed vital to the survival of the clerical regime.
The sprawling force was created at the birth of the Islamic Republic. At first a motley collection of ideological—sometimes fanatical—"true believers" of volunteers or irregular formations, the IRGC is today the most powerful entity in all of Iran. It holds near-monopoly control over entire sectors of the Iranian economy: oil and gas, telecommunications, construction, import-export, and transportation. Plus, it controls airports, seaports, and other vital infrastructure.
That control is one reason the Tor-M1 battery was placed so close to a commercial airport. But that airport had additional significance for the IRGC. Intelligence reports identify a nearby hangar stocked with "short-range missiles, mortar shells, anti-ship missiles, etc." The same intelligence assessments describe the facility as a hub for illegal arms shipments. Customers include the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Shiite Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, and other militant formations across the Arab world.
The IRGC crew manning the Tor-M1 battery was unprepared to handle emergency scenarios. Sources in Ukraine who spoke to the Free Beacon stated they were familiar with the training program the Iranians received from the Russian missile system's suppliers. In their assessment, the IRGC crews were inexperienced, as their training program did not include enough preparation for scenarios that could take place in close proximity to a commercial air traffic hub.
Five days before PS752 was downed, a U.S. drone strike took out one of the IRGC's senior commanders, Major General Qassem Soleimani. The general had been responsible for conducting operations of the IRGC's expeditionary Quds Force in Iraq. When Iran counterattacked with rocket strikes on U.S. installations in Iraq, the Tor-M1 battery was put on alert. The IRGC anticipated a U.S. retaliatory strike against the arms smuggling depot.
This was when the IRGC's ability to act independently of the Iranian Armed Forces may have caused its first problem. Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh—commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force—requested the airport shut down all commercial traffic during the alert. For unknown reasons, that request was not acted upon.
The IRGC's missile battery was now on alert, with commercial traffic still ongoing—but there was another problem. Most nations, according to a Ukrainian firm that spoke with the Free Beacon, "have a comprehensive air defense network that provides full coverage of their airspace. In addition to their own radars and command nodes, they will also receive a data feed from the civilian air traffic system—in order to give them a complete air data picture."
The IRGC did not have that complete picture. "In the case of this shootdown," the firm said, "this Tor battery appeared to not be plugged into or experienced in pulling data from the regular armed forces combined air picture, which means they were operating in a 'standalone' mode without the benefit of any accurate, real-time information."
Neither coordinating with the Armed Forces nor communicating with civilian air traffic, the Tor-M1 battery reportedly believed the Boeing 737 was an American attack drone or cruise missile. The missile crew attempted to contact the Ukrainian airliner to determine its identity—but only gave the flight crew 10 seconds to respond. They launched a missile, striking the aircraft. The missile took out the transponder designed to signal that it was a civilian aircraft. The crew then launched a second missile that shattered the plane's air frame. PS752 came apart in mid-air before it hit the ground.
Iranian authorities reportedly took some 30 military personnel deemed responsible for the shootdown into custody, but none have yet been punished. The IRGC commanders involved will undoubtedly assert that the consequences of not firing—had the Boeing actually been an American attack drone—were greater than those of taking down a commercial aircraft.
This makes the passengers and crew of PS752 one more set of casualties of the IRGC—the shadow army that calls the shots in Iran—and its internal culture that all too often causes it to act as though it answers to no one.


freebeacon--2020-02-04--Iowa Dem County Chair ‘Blown Away’ by Low Caucus Turnout

The chair of Iowa 's Dubuque County Democrats said he was `` blown away '' by the low turnout at the county 's caucus Monday night .
`` We were blown away by the fact that we did not have the turnout that we expected , '' said Steve Drahozal , chair of the Dubuque County Democrats , on the local NBC affiliate KWQC .
`` We had expected higher numbers . ''
KWQC correspondent Brian Tabick reported that just 217 people caucused at a local high school in Dubuque , an Iowa city with a population of approximately 57,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` were expecting a much higher turnout '' than they got .
`` If we wanted to , we could all sit in this corner , '' said one bearded caucus-goer in a `` Bernie 2020 '' shirt .
Drahozal told KWQC that he went to rural parts of the county to get voters to come to the caucus because getting a high turnout is `` key '' after the 2016 election .
The ultimate turnout was `` a little bit higher … than 2016 , '' Drahozal said .
The results from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point Tuesday , following a significant delay due to what state Democratic officials are calling technical issues .

The chair of Iowa's Dubuque County Democrats said he was "blown away" by the low turnout at the county's caucus Monday night.
"We were blown away by the fact that we did not have the turnout that we expected," said Steve Drahozal, chair of the Dubuque County Democrats, on the local NBC affiliate KWQC. "We had expected higher numbers."
KWQC correspondent Brian Tabick reported that just 217 people caucused at a local high school in Dubuque, an Iowa city with a population of approximately 57,000. Attendants, the correspondent said, "were expecting a much higher turnout" than they got.
"If we wanted to, we could all sit in this corner," said one bearded caucus-goer in a "Bernie 2020" shirt.
Drahozal told KWQC that he went to rural parts of the county to get voters to come to the caucus because getting a high turnout is "key" after the 2016 election. The ultimate turnout was "a little bit higher ... than 2016," Drahozal said.
The results from the Iowa caucuses are expected at some point Tuesday, following a significant delay due to what state Democratic officials are calling technical issues.


freebeacon--2020-02-04--Dem Senator: Iowa Caucus System ‘Should Come to an End’

Sen. Dick Durbin ( D. , Ill. ) on Tuesday called for the Iowa caucus system to `` come to an end . ''
`` I think the Democratic caucus in Iowa is a quirky , quaint tradition which should come to an end , '' Durbin said on MSNBC 's Morning Joe .
`` As we try to make voting easier for people across America , the Iowa caucus is the most painful situation we currently face for voting . ''
Durbin 's criticism follows a chaotic night in which results for the Iowa caucuses were delayed due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus results .
NBC News reported that a source said the campaigns `` ca n't trust the numbers coming in . ''
`` People who work all day , pick up the kids at daycare , do you think they 're headed to the caucus next ?
Of course not , '' Durbin continued .
`` We 've got to have a means for people to express themselves that is reliable .
Unfortunately , the caucus system is not . ''
Some Democrats have criticized Iowa voting first during the primary season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Hampshire should n't be the first states to vote in the Democratic primary because they do n't reflect the diversity of the party .

Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) on Tuesday called for the Iowa caucus system to "come to an end."
"I think the Democratic caucus in Iowa is a quirky, quaint tradition which should come to an end," Durbin said on MSNBC's Morning Joe. "As we try to make voting easier for people across America, the Iowa caucus is the most painful situation we currently face for voting."
Durbin's criticism follows a chaotic night in which results for the Iowa caucuses were delayed due to "inconsistencies" with reporting on the caucus results. NBC News reported that a source said the campaigns "can't trust the numbers coming in."
"People who work all day, pick up the kids at daycare, do you think they're headed to the caucus next? Of course not," Durbin continued. "We've got to have a means for people to express themselves that is reliable. Unfortunately, the caucus system is not."
Some Democrats have criticized Iowa voting first during the primary season. Former presidential candidate Julián Castro said Iowa and New Hampshire shouldn't be the first states to vote in the Democratic primary because they don't reflect the diversity of the party.


freebeacon--2020-02-04--MSNBC Anchor: Iowa Caucus Is a ‘Disaster’ for Dems

MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough on Tuesday said the delay in results for the Iowa caucuses is a `` disaster '' for Democrats .
`` The Democrats have had three years to get ready for this and they got a bunch of candidates who run in the first contest and they do n't even get off the launch pad .
Blows up on the launch pad , '' Scarborough said .
`` This is a disaster for Democrats .
They 've got to figure out how to fix quickly . ''
The Morning Joe anchor 's criticism was in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with reporting on the caucus results .
In addition to his criticism , he made a Star Wars analogy comparing President Donald Trump to the Death Star .
`` You 've got the Death Star in front of you and you 're staring at the Death Star for three-and-a-half years , right ?
And you 're like okay we 're going to get Luke [ Skywalker ] and Han [ Solo ] and we 're going to blow that thing up , '' Scarborough said .
He then compared the Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground to defeat Trump , saying , `` Boom .
They crash into each other .
They do n't even get off the ship . ''
Associated Press reporter Jonathan Lemire agreed with Scarborough 's `` appropriate '' analogy and said the delay in caucus results is a `` self-inflicted wound . ''
`` This has been three plus years in the making .
The Democrats—since the moment of November 8th 2016 when Trump scored his shocking victory—Democrats have said all that matters is that this ca n't happen again , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our forces and we organize and we raise money and we set up a process to beat him , to not let him be reelected and now as the starting gun goes off , they stumble over the blocks , '' Lemire said .

MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough on Tuesday said the delay in results for the Iowa caucuses is a "disaster" for Democrats.
"The Democrats have had three years to get ready for this and they got a bunch of candidates who run in the first contest and they don't even get off the launch pad. Blows up on the launch pad," Scarborough said. "This is a disaster for Democrats. They've got to figure out how to fix quickly."
The Morning Joe anchor's criticism was in response to the Iowa Democratic Party finding "inconsistencies" with reporting on the caucus results. In addition to his criticism, he made a Star Wars analogy comparing President Donald Trump to the Death Star.
"You've got the Death Star in front of you and you're staring at the Death Star for three-and-a-half years, right? And you're like okay we're going to get Luke [Skywalker] and Han [Solo] and we're going to blow that thing up," Scarborough said.
He then compared the Democrats to Skywalker and Solo trying to get off the ground to defeat Trump, saying, "Boom. They crash into each other. They don't even get off the ship."
Associated Press reporter Jonathan Lemire agreed with Scarborough's "appropriate" analogy and said the delay in caucus results is a "self-inflicted wound."
"This has been three plus years in the making. The Democrats—since the moment of November 8th 2016 when Trump scored his shocking victory—Democrats have said all that matters is that this can't happen again, that all that matters is we will martial our forces and we organize and we raise money and we set up a process to beat him, to not let him be reelected and now as the starting gun goes off, they stumble over the blocks," Lemire said.


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IMPEACHMENT UPDATE … Donald J. Trump is still President of the United States .
TRUMP DELIVERS … `` A newly emboldened Trump gives Democrats a reason to fret , '' via REUTERS : President Donald Trump took the stage for his State of the Union speech in an unfamiliar position : With the wind at his back … All of it brought out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night .
At one point , he choreographed a reunion between a U.S. servicemember returning from Afghanistan and his family to cheers from lawmakers .
Along that line , for much of the speech , Trump appeared to be making an overt appeal to suburban voters who could decide his fate .
OWNED … `` Pelosi rips up Trump speech at conclusion of State of the Union , '' via THE HILL : As Trump finished speaking and most lawmakers stood to applaud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the printed copy of Trump 's speech and tore it in half .
She placed the shredded copy in a stack on the dais as Trump made his way to greet members of Congress .
BIDEN ’ S SECRET STASH … `` At Biden Institute , Mystery Donors Support Potential Cabinet in Waiting , '' by WFB ’ s Eliana Johnson : The institute has served as a landing spot for some of [ Joe ] Biden 's former—and potentially future—White House advisers … There is Biden 's sister , Valerie Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Biden 's former senior adviser , Michael Donilon , who serves as managing director … But unlike similar institutions housed at public universities , the Biden Institute does not disclose the sources of its funding or its staff and executive salaries .
FRONTRUNNER FINISHES FOURTH … `` IOWA RESULTS : Buttigieg ( Kind of ) Won .
So Did Bernie .
Warren Persisted .
Biden Definitely Lost.
, '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : The Iowa Democratic Party finally announced a winner of the state 's caucus Tuesday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions from the partial results unveiled Tuesday , it is certainty an embarrassing outcome for [ Joe ] Biden , who has time and again proven himself unworthy of the `` frontrunner '' status suggested by his strength in national polling .
FAILING UP … `` App blamed for botched Iowa caucus created by Hillary Clinton campaign alum , '' via NY POST : Gerard Niemira , CEO of Shadow Inc.—the company tapped by the Iowa Democratic Party ( IDP ) to build an app for reporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as director of product on Clinton ’ s 2016 campaign … Precinct chairs across the state experienced problems downloading or logging into the app , one of the ways they were supposed to be able to send the results from their smaller , individual caucuses to the IDP , Bloomberg News reported .
LOW ENERGY … `` The biggest problem for Democrats wasn ’ t the vote count , '' via POLITICO : In their first test of the year , early data suggested Tuesday that turnout was `` on pace for 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , far below levels many observers predicted … Looking at the low turnout estimate in Des Moines late Monday night , an adviser to one candidate said simply , `` Wow . ''
MESSAGE TO MADURO … `` Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó honored by Trump at State of the Union , '' via FOX NEWS : The invite to the State of the Union gives Guaidó , the Venezuelan National Assembly leader and fierce critic of contested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro , a big political bump as he seeks to rally international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s strongman leader .
Before receiving a thunderous applause from the crowd of lawmakers and other dignitaries gathered on the House floor , Trump praised Guaidó — calling him Venezuela 's `` true leader '' and offering U.S. support in his fight .
SEND THE BOMBERS … `` Iran Issues Death Sentence for Alleged CIA Spy , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : Iran 's supreme court signed off on a death sentence for Amir Rahimpour , whom the regime accuses of providing sensitive nuclear secrets to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciary spokesman , said .
`` Rahimpour , a CIA spy who had been paid substantially for disclosing Iran 's nuclear data to the American intelligence agency , had been already identified and sentenced to death , '' Esmaeili was quoted as saying in the country 's state-controlled press .
NASTY WOMAN … `` Democrat Claire McCaskill , NYT Reporter Blasted For ‘ Racist ’ Ben Carson Tweets , '' via DAILY WIRE : The tweet that generated the most reaction came from former Missouri Democratic senator [ and MSNBC contributor ] Claire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , writing : `` One of these things is not like the others .
Hint : they made [ Carson ] squat in the aisle so he was visible . ''
MATTHEWS PREFERS THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR … `` MSNBC Anchor Says Netanyahu is One of the World ’ s ‘ Bad Guys , ’ Puts Jewish Leader in List With Putin , '' by WFB ’ s Brent Scher : `` He does seem to be a guy who does n't like the good guys of the world , he seems to like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Matthews said … As MSNBC commentator Steve Schmidt responded by saying Trump `` fetishizes the Erdogans , and the Putins , and the dictators , '' he was interrupted by Matthews , who wanted to add Israel 's Netanyahu to the list .
DULY NOTED … `` PETA Says Word ‘ Pet ’ Is Patronising to Animals , '' via INDEPENDENT : Instead , PETA is calling on people to use words like `` companion '' to refer to their animals .
`` A lot of people at home who have dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer to themselves as owners and this implies that the animals are a possession , like a car for example , '' [ PETA ’ s Jennifer ] White said .
IMPEACHMENT BOUNCE … `` Tired of Winning ?
Donald Trump Breaks Obama Approval Record , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Trump has a job approval rating of 49 percent , according to the most recent Gallup survey .
That 's the highest figure reported by Gallup since Trump took office in 2017 , and it comes as the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa … Trump 's victory in the Iowa GOP caucus means that he has now won more caucuses or primaries in 2020 than [ Joe ] Biden has won over the course of his entire political career , which includes two previous failed presidential campaigns .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,151 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

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


freebeacon--2020-02-05--At Biden Institute, Mystery Donors Support Potential Cabinet in Waiting

The Biden Institute sits in a stately , colonial brick house on the west side of the University of Delaware 's sprawling campus .
It is peppered with smiling cardboard cutouts of the former vice president .
The institute has served as a landing spot for some of Biden 's former—and potentially future—White House advisers , many of whom serve on the institute 's staff and on an affiliated policy advisory board .
There is Biden 's sister , Valerie Biden Owens , the institute 's vice chair , and Biden 's former senior adviser , Michael Donilon , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy advisory board are , among others , former Biden chief of staff Bruce Reed , former domestic and economic policy adviser Don Graves , former deputy attorney general Sally Yates , and former energy secretary Ernest Moniz .
But unlike similar institutions housed at public universities , the Biden Institute does not disclose the sources of its funding or its staff and executive salaries .
A spokesman for the university , which receives over $ 100 million in taxpayer funding , said the Biden Institute is not subject to federal Freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its donors remain unknown .
`` Only about 11 percent of the University 's operating budget is made up of public funds , so many of our departments and employees are not supported by public funds , '' the university ’ s vice president and deputy general counsel Jennifer Becnel-Guzzo told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` That is the case with the Biden Institute and the Biden Senate papers . ''
It is unusual for public universities to be exempt from Freedom of Information requests , but state legislatures in Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state universities from the transparency laws .
Delaware state law stipulates that the `` activities of the University of Delaware '' are not considered public with the exception of the the board of trustees and `` documents relating to the expenditure of public funds . ''
The Biden Institute is free to make those disclosures voluntarily , however , but has chosen not to do so .
The institute did not respond to a request for comment seeking information on its donors and staff salaries .
A university spokesman , Peter Bothum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Biden Institute and said simply that the university is not required to disclose the information .
A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Biden , who graduated from the university in 1965 , established the institute in 2017 as an offshoot of the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration .
According to its website , the institute is devoted to addressing problems from climate change to criminal justice reform .
`` Our goal at the institute is going to be to establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , activists , and national leaders , and our mission is going to be to try to help shape and influence the work on some of the nation ’ s toughest problems , '' Biden said at an event to mark the institute 's launch .
Throughout the campaign , the former vice president has battled the perception that his family and friends have exploited their proximity to him for financial gain .
His son Hunter ’ s business dealings with the Ukrainian oil company Burisma have for months now been the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also shed light on how his brother , Frank Biden , leveraged his fraternal relationship in business .
The Biden Institute 's lack of transparency sets it apart from similar public policy organizations .
The McCain Institute for International Leadership , founded by Arizona State University in 2012 , lists its donors publicly , though it is not required to do so .
It is also subject to the state 's public records law , according to a source familiar with its operations .
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2003 , also discloses its donors and is subject to Freedom of Information requests sent to the University of Kansas , according to a spokesman for the institute .
In addition to providing a landing spot for the former vice president 's friends and family , the Biden Institute serves as a means of forming new alliances that may be useful during the campaign and , potentially , in a future presidential administration .
The institute 's policy advisory board is composed of political allies that could be useful to any Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political strategist David Plouffe ; the presidents of the Service Employees International Union , the United Farm Workers , and the International Association of Fire Fighters ; and the former Republican-turned-Independent strategist and frequent MSNBC guest Steve Schmidt , who remained on the board while he consulted for former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz 's short-lived presidential campaign .
The advisory board members are not paid , according to a university spokesman .
Several of its members have contributed to the Biden campaign , including Reed , former Obama State Department official Tom Nides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Larry Summers .
Though the Biden Institute has maintained a low profile throughout the campaign season , a 2018 BuzzFeed piece published before Biden announced his candidacy described the organization 's policy advisory board as part of `` a very familiar playbook : a potential presidential run rooted in old-school , establishment politics . ''
The piece argued that `` the list of names , with the occasional exception , offers a glimpse of the people that would be likely to orient themselves around Biden in the event of a run : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime Obama allies . ''
Biden , who served as a U.S. senator from Delaware for 36 years , donated his senatorial papers to the University of Delaware in 2012 , but they remain unavailable to the public .
Though they were initially scheduled to become available December 31 , 2019 , the university delayed their publication until two years after Biden `` retires from public life . ''
Dole turned his papers over to the University of Kansas in 2000 , and they became publicly available when the Dole Institute opened three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired from public life .
`` The institute was dedicated in 2003 and , at that point , we had the capability to allow the public to come in and research using the archives , '' a spokesman for the Dole Institute said .
Prior to that , `` we did n't have a building . ''

The Biden Institute sits in a stately, colonial brick house on the west side of the University of Delaware's sprawling campus. It is peppered with smiling cardboard cutouts of the former vice president.
The institute has served as a landing spot for some of Biden's former—and potentially future—White House advisers, many of whom serve on the institute's staff and on an affiliated policy advisory board. There is Biden's sister, Valerie Biden Owens, the institute's vice chair, and Biden's former senior adviser, Michael Donilon, who serves as managing director. On the policy advisory board are, among others, former Biden chief of staff Bruce Reed, former domestic and economic policy adviser Don Graves, former deputy attorney general Sally Yates, and former energy secretary Ernest Moniz.
But unlike similar institutions housed at public universities, the Biden Institute does not disclose the sources of its funding or its staff and executive salaries. A spokesman for the university, which receives over $100 million in taxpayer funding, said the Biden Institute is not subject to federal Freedom of Information requests because it is privately funded. Its donors remain unknown.
"Only about 11 percent of the University's operating budget is made up of public funds, so many of our departments and employees are not supported by public funds," the university’s vice president and deputy general counsel Jennifer Becnel-Guzzo told the Washington Free Beacon. "That is the case with the Biden Institute and the Biden Senate papers."
It is unusual for public universities to be exempt from Freedom of Information requests, but state legislatures in Delaware and neighboring Pennsylvania passed laws that exclude state universities from the transparency laws. Delaware state law stipulates that the "activities of the University of Delaware" are not considered public with the exception of the board of trustees and "documents relating to the expenditure of public funds."
The Biden Institute is free to make those disclosures voluntarily, however, but has chosen not to do so. The institute did not respond to a request for comment seeking information on its donors and staff salaries. A university spokesman, Peter Bothum, responded to a request for comment sent to the Biden Institute and said simply that the university is not required to disclose the information.
A spokesman for the Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Biden, who graduated from the university in 1965, established the institute in 2017 as an offshoot of the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. According to its website, the institute is devoted to addressing problems from climate change to criminal justice reform.
"Our goal at the institute is going to be to establish an intellectual center for scholars, policymakers, activists, and national leaders, and our mission is going to be to try to help shape and influence the work on some of the nation’s toughest problems," Biden said at an event to mark the institute's launch.
Throughout the campaign, the former vice president has battled the perception that his family and friends have exploited their proximity to him for financial gain. His son Hunter’s business dealings with the Ukrainian oil company Burisma have for months now been the subject of national headlines. News reports have also shed light on how his brother, Frank Biden, leveraged his fraternal relationship in business.
The Biden Institute's lack of transparency sets it apart from similar public policy organizations. The McCain Institute for International Leadership, founded by Arizona State University in 2012, lists its donors publicly, though it is not required to do so. It is also subject to the state's public records law, according to a source familiar with its operations.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas, which opened in 2003, also discloses its donors and is subject to Freedom of Information requests sent to the University of Kansas, according to a spokesman for the institute.
In addition to providing a landing spot for the former vice president's friends and family, the Biden Institute serves as a means of forming new alliances that may be useful during the campaign and, potentially, in a future presidential administration.
The institute's policy advisory board is composed of political allies that could be useful to any Democratic presidential candidate. They include Barack Obama's political strategist David Plouffe; the presidents of the Service Employees International Union, the United Farm Workers, and the International Association of Fire Fighters; and the former Republican-turned-Independent strategist and frequent MSNBC guest Steve Schmidt, who remained on the board while he consulted for former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's short-lived presidential campaign. The advisory board members are not paid, according to a university spokesman.
Several of its members have contributed to the Biden campaign, including Reed, former Obama State Department official Tom Nides, and former Obama National Economic Council director Larry Summers.
Though the Biden Institute has maintained a low profile throughout the campaign season, a 2018 BuzzFeed piece published before Biden announced his candidacy described the organization's policy advisory board as part of "a very familiar playbook: a potential presidential run rooted in old-school, establishment politics." The piece argued that "the list of names, with the occasional exception, offers a glimpse of the people that would be likely to orient themselves around Biden in the event of a run: corporate leaders, union bosses, and longtime Obama allies."
Biden, who served as a U.S. senator from Delaware for 36 years, donated his senatorial papers to the University of Delaware in 2012, but they remain unavailable to the public. Though they were initially scheduled to become available December 31, 2019, the university delayed their publication until two years after Biden "retires from public life."
Dole turned his papers over to the University of Kansas in 2000, and they became publicly available when the Dole Institute opened three years later, long after Dole had retired from public life.
"The institute was dedicated in 2003 and, at that point, we had the capability to allow the public to come in and research using the archives," a spokesman for the Dole Institute said. Prior to that, "we didn't have a building."


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Bloomberg Used Box to Boost Height as NYC Mayor, Documents Show

The Bloomberg campaign was quick to shoot down President Donald Trump 's claim that the Democratic presidential candidate plans to use a box to boost his height at Friday 's Democratic debate .
While Bloomberg may not mount a box later this week , the former New York City mayor used height-boosting boxes and modified podiums to boost his height throughout his mayoralty .
In a 2002 report on Bloomberg 's first mayoral press conference , the New York Daily News reported that Bloomberg used a box at his mayoral inauguration .
`` The box , however , ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepping off it as he returned to his seat , '' the newspaper reported .
The same report indicated that the lectern at the front of the room was also shorter than the one used by Bloomberg 's predecessor , Rudy Giuliani , and while Bloomberg `` alleges he ’ s in the ballpark of 5 feet 10 , '' he `` is actually several inches shorter . ''
The city 's new mayor , the report said , is `` somewhat sensitive about his height . ''
Archival footage of Bloomberg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ s report .
It does appear that the newly minted mayor stepped onto something behind the podium… …and stumbled as he stepped away from it .
The New York Post also remarked upon Bloomberg 's early use of a box in a 2013 piece about Bloomberg 's Democratic successor , Bill de Blasio .
The Post reported that the city had to bring in a mayoral podium that could accommodate de Blasio 's six-foot-five frame .
In 2015 , Bloomberg needed to use `` a step platform '' when speaking at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post estimated that Bloomberg was `` nearly a foot shorter . ''
That would place Bloomberg closer to 5-foot-5 than his purported height of 5-foot-10 .
The Bloomberg campaign refused to allow a fellow candidate to use Bloomberg 's podium during the 2001 mayoral race , according to a Daily News report .
`` This is our podium , '' a Bloomberg spokesman told the six-foot-one Herman Badillo when he tried to use it during the Dominican Day Parade .
A Bloomberg staffer picked up the podium and exited the scene .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same circles , Bloomberg and Trump , who now exchange insults , had a decades-long friendship , with Trump publicly backing Bloomberg 's mayoralty , and Bloomberg appearing on The Apprentice and giving Trump a lucrative city contract to build a luxury golf course .
So close were the two men , when Bloomberg weighed entering the 2016 presidential election , Trump actually welcomed Bloomberg and declined the opportunity to criticize him when prompted by reporters .
`` I would love to see Michael run , '' said the same man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted , '' `` Crooked Hillary , '' and `` Low Energy Jeb . ''
`` I would say that if he ran , I ’ d be very happy about it . ''
The relationship broke down a few weeks later when Bloomberg took a public shot at Trump and said the electorate `` deserves a lot better '' than the Republican frontrunner .
`` He was a friend of mine , as far as I 'm concerned .
He 's not a friend of mine anymore , '' Trump told Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton months later and it was time to finally come up with a trademarked insult , Trump , working with years of observation of Bloomberg 's tics and idiosyncrasies , landed on `` Little Michael . ''
Trump appears to have struck upon an insecurity of Bloomberg 's , long-documented by the New York City press .
A 2003 Getty photograph of Trump and Bloomberg attending a Yankees game together highlights the substantial height difference between the two men .
Bloomberg 's actual height has long been a source of speculation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man himself .
His driver 's license lists him as 5-foot-10 .
In 2001 , the billionaire told a Newsday reporter that he was `` in the ballpark '' of six-foot-one .
A few days later , he told the press , `` When you 're 5- [ foot ] -10 like me , you want to make sure the podium is n't too low . ''
His account of his height has changed over time .
In 2006 , he said , `` What chance does a five-foot-seven billionaire Jew who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
A 2003 Daily News article placed him at five-foot-six , as did a 2013 Post piece .
Bloomberg is hardly the first politician to use a box to overcome perceptions about his stature .
Five-foot-eight former Housing and Urban Development secretary Julián Castro was seen standing on a box during a wide shot at the third Democratic presidential debate .
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton used a modified podium and a box when debating Trump in 2016 to lessen the nearly one-foot difference in their heights .
Famously diminutive former senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around a `` Boxer box '' to boost her height during press conferences .
Presidential candidates have a good incentive to boost their heights : Taller candidates have won the presidency two-thirds of the time since 1900 and studies indicate voters subconsciously prefer tall candidates .
If he wins the nomination , Bloomberg would be the first male major party nominee shorter than five-foot-eight in 100 years .

The Bloomberg campaign was quick to shoot down President Donald Trump's claim that the Democratic presidential candidate plans to use a box to boost his height at Friday's Democratic debate. While Bloomberg may not mount a box later this week, the former New York City mayor used height-boosting boxes and modified podiums to boost his height throughout his mayoralty.
In a 2002 report on Bloomberg's first mayoral press conference, the New York Daily News reported that Bloomberg used a box at his mayoral inauguration. "The box, however, ended up causing trouble; Bloomberg nearly fell while stepping off it as he returned to his seat," the newspaper reported.
The same report indicated that the lectern at the front of the room was also shorter than the one used by Bloomberg's predecessor, Rudy Giuliani, and while Bloomberg "alleges he’s in the ballpark of 5 feet 10," he "is actually several inches shorter." The city's new mayor, the report said, is "somewhat sensitive about his height."
Archival footage of Bloomberg's inauguration is consistent with the Daily News's report. It does appear that the newly minted mayor stepped onto something behind the podium...
...and stumbled as he stepped away from it.
The New York Post also remarked upon Bloomberg's early use of a box in a 2013 piece about Bloomberg's Democratic successor, Bill de Blasio. The Post reported that the city had to bring in a mayoral podium that could accommodate de Blasio's six-foot-five frame.
In 2015, Bloomberg needed to use "a step platform" when speaking at the same podium as de Blasio. The Post estimated that Bloomberg was "nearly a foot shorter." That would place Bloomberg closer to 5-foot-5 than his purported height of 5-foot-10.
The Bloomberg campaign refused to allow a fellow candidate to use Bloomberg's podium during the 2001 mayoral race, according to a Daily News report. "This is our podium," a Bloomberg spokesman told the six-foot-one Herman Badillo when he tried to use it during the Dominican Day Parade. A Bloomberg staffer picked up the podium and exited the scene.
Both New York City billionaires who ran in the same circles, Bloomberg and Trump, who now exchange insults, had a decades-long friendship, with Trump publicly backing Bloomberg's mayoralty, and Bloomberg appearing on The Apprentice and giving Trump a lucrative city contract to build a luxury golf course. So close were the two men, when Bloomberg weighed entering the 2016 presidential election, Trump actually welcomed Bloomberg and declined the opportunity to criticize him when prompted by reporters. "I would love to see Michael run," said the same man who labeled his other opponents "Lyin' Ted," "Crooked Hillary," and "Low Energy Jeb." "I would say that if he ran, I’d be very happy about it."
The relationship broke down a few weeks later when Bloomberg took a public shot at Trump and said the electorate "deserves a lot better" than the Republican frontrunner. "He was a friend of mine, as far as I'm concerned. He's not a friend of mine anymore," Trump told Fox Business afterward. And when Bloomberg endorsed Hillary Clinton months later and it was time to finally come up with a trademarked insult, Trump, working with years of observation of Bloomberg's tics and idiosyncrasies, landed on "Little Michael."
Trump appears to have struck upon an insecurity of Bloomberg's, long-documented by the New York City press. A 2003 Getty photograph of Trump and Bloomberg attending a Yankees game together highlights the substantial height difference between the two men.
Bloomberg's actual height has long been a source of speculation and conflicting news reports, including from the man himself. His driver's license lists him as 5-foot-10. In 2001, the billionaire told a Newsday reporter that he was "in the ballpark" of six-foot-one. A few days later, he told the press, "When you're 5-[foot]-10 like me, you want to make sure the podium isn't too low." His account of his height has changed over time. In 2006, he said, "What chance does a five-foot-seven billionaire Jew who’s divorced really have of becoming president?" A 2003 Daily News article placed him at five-foot-six, as did a 2013 Post piece.
Bloomberg is hardly the first politician to use a box to overcome perceptions about his stature. Five-foot-eight former Housing and Urban Development secretary Julián Castro was seen standing on a box during a wide shot at the third Democratic presidential debate. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton used a modified podium and a box when debating Trump in 2016 to lessen the nearly one-foot difference in their heights. Famously diminutive former senator Barbara Boxer likewise had an aide carry around a "Boxer box" to boost her height during press conferences.
Presidential candidates have a good incentive to boost their heights: Taller candidates have won the presidency two-thirds of the time since 1900 and studies indicate voters subconsciously prefer tall candidates. If he wins the nomination, Bloomberg would be the first male major party nominee shorter than five-foot-eight in 100 years.


Beacon Extra 2/4/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
IMPEACHMENT UPDATE … Donald J. Trump is still President of the United States .
GRACEFUL IN DEFEAT … `` Democrats : Trump ’ s Acquittal Doesn ’ t Count , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : Leading Democrats have already said President Donald Trump 's pending acquittal in his impeachment trial is not legitimate due to Friday 's vote against admitting new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Calif. ) said Thursday Trump will `` not be acquitted '' if his trial does n't have witnesses , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) has repeatedly said Trump 's acquittal will have `` zero '' value .
KULAK HAS CHAMPAGNE TASTES … `` Bernie Leads 2020 Field in Private Jet Spending , '' by WFB ’ s Brent Scher : The most recent filing from [ Sen. Bernie ] Sanders reveals $ 1,199,579 in spending during the final three months of 2019 to Apollo Jets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charter service . ''
… Entering the final quarter of 2019 , the Sanders campaign had purchased $ 9,030 worth of carbon offsets … Michael Bloomberg , who pumped a whopping $ 200 million of his personal fortune into his campaign 's opening weeks , spent about $ 646,000 on private jet travel , about half of what Sanders spent .
PANIC !
AT THE SH*TSHOW … `` Rahm to Bernie Backers : Democrats Can Win Without You , '' by WFB ’ s Paul Crookston : Rahm Emanuel said Sunday that Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a reasonable candidate than committing to a strategy of turning out progressive voters by nominating Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
SHOWDOWN IN THE OLD DOMINION … `` How Virginia Became the Front Line in the Fight Over Guns , '' by WFB ’ s Stephen Gutowski : Democratic groups poured a record $ 13 million into the state 's elections last year .
[ Michael ] Bloomberg-backed groups outspent the National Rifle Association by an 8-1 margin , helping Democrats capture narrow majorities in both the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversies that have erupted across the state since then come as the members of the newly ascendant Democratic majority find themselves caught between the campaign donors who helped them secure control in Richmond and local residents angered by the gun-control proposals offered by those groups and the Democrats they backed .
BLOOMBERG BUYS DNC … `` Michael Moore : DNC Changing Rules To Allow ‘ Billionaire Republican Mayor Of NYC ’ Mike Bloomberg On Debate Stage , '' via RCP : `` The fact that the Democratic , the DNC will not allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allow Julian Castro on that stage , but they are going to allow Mike Bloomberg on the stage ?
Because he has a billion fucking dollars ! ''
Moore raged .
Sanders campaign co-chair Nina Turner said this week that the addition of former Clinton staffer John Podesta to the DNC Convention Committee was a `` slap in the face . ''
WON ’ T APOLOGIZE FOR BLOOD LIBEL , BUT … `` Rep. Rashida Tlaib Apologizes After Booing Hillary Clinton at Bernie Sanders Campaign Event , '' via TIME : Tlaib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont senator as he remains in Washington for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , and the event came after recent comments by Clinton made dismissing Sanders and his campaign … On Saturday , Tlaib apologized for the affair on Twitter , saying that she was `` frustrated by attempts to dismiss the strength and diversity '' of the movement supporting Sanders and that she allowed her `` disappointment '' with Clinton ’ s comments about Sanders to `` get the best of me . ''
VERY HAPPY YOUNG GIRL JOINS TRUMP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize , '' via AP : Jens Holm and Hakan Svenneling , who are both members of Sweden ’ s Left Party , said Monday that Thunberg `` has worked hard to make politicians open their eyes to the climate crisis '' and `` action for reducing our emissions and complying with the Paris Agreement is therefore also an act of making peace . ''
GIVE ‘ EM HELL , RUSH … `` Rush Limbaugh announces he has ‘ advanced lung cancer ' , '' via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been one of the most difficult days in recent memory , for me , because I ’ ve known this moment was coming , '' Limbaugh said .
`` I ’ m sure that you all know by now that I really don ’ t like talking about myself and I don ’ t like making things about me . ''
NO THRILL UP HIS LEG … `` Chris Matthews expresses worries : Democrats ‘ need to find ' candidate who can beat Trump , '' via THE HILL : `` What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy .
I ’ m not happy with this field .
I think they have to find a candidate for president that can beat Trump , '' Matthews said during a panel discussion Monday on `` Morning Joe . ''
… Mathews then compared the excitement around the [ Bernie ] Sanders campaign to that of 1972 Democratic nominee George McGovern , who lost in a landslide to President Nixon .
THE BLOB GOES TO IOWA … `` Heartland , Chronicled : A Political Journalist ’ s Reflections on Iowa , U.S.A. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Later in the evening , Bon Iver plays at a Bernie Sanders rally in the suburbs … Michael Moore takes the stage and starts dropping F-bombs .
I miss Beto .
Bernie never showed .
He had to call in from Washington , D.C. , which has plenty of top-notch music venues , by the way , and world-class cuisine , but is n't even a state .
Like most journalists , I agree with everything he says , but I also trust the New York Times and consequently have pre-written a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Elizabeth Warren 's fourth-place finish .
My second Uber driver , a white male , is `` pretty pro-Trump '' and wonders why Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D. , Hawaii ) has n't gotten more traction .
Guess they have Facebook here in Iowa .
Thanks , Russia .
SELF-LOATHING IS FREE … `` Why liberal white women pay a lot of money to learn over dinner how they 're racist , '' via GUARDIAN : This is Race to Dinner .
A white woman volunteers to host a dinner in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps acquaintances .
( Each dinner costs $ 2,500 , which can be covered by a generous host or divided among guests . )
A frank discussion is led by co-founders Regina Jackson , who is black , and Saira Rao , who identifies as Indian American .
They started Race to Dinner to challenge liberal white women to accept their racism , however subconscious … So far , 15 dinners have been held in big cities across the United States … GUTOWSKI TAKES SIN CITY … `` Range Time : Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Largest Gun Show , '' by WFB Staff : Machine guns , flamethrowers , a Humvee rolling down the Strip , and a wedding .
It was all there in Las Vegas at the world 's largest gun show : SHOT Show 2020 .
At this year 's show , Washington Free Beacon staff writer Stephen Gutowski explores the showroom floor , interviews industry leaders and gun-rights activists , shoots a freaking minigun , eats the best steak in Vegas , and watches Elvis marry a couple of gun-rights activists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SHOW : 1,150 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
IMPEACHMENT UPDATE … Donald J. Trump is still President of the United States.
BANNER NIGHT FOR DEMS … "Trump Wins Iowa, Democrats in Disarray," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: President Donald J. Trump secured an overwhelming victory in the Republican caucus in Iowa on Monday, the first step on the path to his inevitable reelection in 2020. "Big WIN for us in Iowa. Thank You!" the president tweeted to his 72 million followers.
The Democratic caucus results, on the other hand, remained inconclusive early Tuesday as a result of what state party officials described as "inconsistencies" in the precinct reporting … Former Obama adviser David Plouffe captured the mood of many Democrats, saying: "We may be witnessing the last Iowa caucus."
CRACK REPORTING … "Biden to Reporter: ‘You Do Not Know What You’re Talking About’ on Hunter," by WFB’s Graham Piro: NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie asked former vice president [Joe Biden] whether Burisma, a Ukrainian energy giant, paid Hunter Biden hundreds of thousands of dollars "because that company wanted access to you." …
"You're saying things—you do not know what you're talking about," Biden said. "No one's said that … No one's found anything wrong with his dealings in Ukraine except they say it sets a bad image."
FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS … "Doug Jones’ Son Says Senator Struggling To Eat, Sleep During Impeachment Trial," via YELLOW HAMMER: In a blog post entitled, "Doug Jones was elected for this moment in history," the senator’s son [Carson Jones] wrote … "The weight of history and this case is not an easy burden to bear. To be honest, my father isn’t eating well. He isn’t sleeping well. And for the 24 hours he has been able to return home in the midst of this impeachment hearing, I can tell his mind can’t turn ‘off.'"
ART OF THE DEAL … "Schiff: If Trump Isn’t Removed He ‘Could Offer Alaska to the Russians in Exchange for Support in the Next Election’," via GRABIEN: "If abuse of power is not impeachable … then a whole range of utterly unacceptable conduct and the president would now be beyond reach," [Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) said].
"Trump could offer Alaska to the Russians in exchange for support in the next election or decide to move to Mar-a-Lago permanently and let Jared Kushner run the country, delegating to him the decision whether to go to war."
VERY HAPPY YOUNG GIRL JOINS TRUMP AS A NOMINEE … "Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize," via AP: Jens Holm and Hakan Svenneling, who are both members of Sweden’s Left Party, said Monday that Thunberg "has worked hard to make politicians open their eyes to the climate crisis" and "action for reducing our emissions and complying with the Paris Agreement is therefore also an act of making peace."
GIVE ‘EM HELL, RUSH … "Rush Limbaugh announces he has 'advanced lung cancer'," via FOX NEWS: "This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory, for me, because I’ve known this moment was coming," Limbaugh said. "I’m sure that you all know by now that I really don’t like talking about myself and I don’t like making things about me."
NO THRILL UP HIS LEG … "Chris Matthews expresses worries: Democrats 'need to find' candidate who can beat Trump," via THE HILL: "What are my thoughts? I’m not happy. I’m not happy with this field. I think they have to find a candidate for president that can beat Trump," Matthews said during a panel discussion Monday on "Morning Joe." …
Mathews then compared the excitement around the [Bernie] Sanders campaign to that of 1972 Democratic nominee George McGovern, who lost in a landslide to President Nixon.
THE BLOB GOES TO IOWA … "Heartland, Chronicled: A Political Journalist’s Reflections on Iowa, U.S.A.," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: Later in the evening, Bon Iver plays at a Bernie Sanders rally in the suburbs … Michael Moore takes the stage and starts dropping F-bombs. I miss Beto.
Bernie never showed. He had to call in from Washington, D.C., which has plenty of top-notch music venues, by the way, and world-class cuisine, but isn't even a state. Like most journalists, I agree with everything he says, but I also trust the New York Times and consequently have pre-written a synopsis on the "moral victory" of Elizabeth Warren's fourth-place finish. My second Uber driver, a white male, is "pretty pro-Trump" and wonders why Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii) hasn't gotten more traction. Guess they have Facebook here in Iowa. Thanks, Russia.
SELF-LOATHING IS FREE … "Why liberal white women pay a lot of money to learn over dinner how they're racist," via GUARDIAN: This is Race to Dinner. A white woman volunteers to host a dinner in her home for seven other white women—often strangers, perhaps acquaintances. (Each dinner costs $2,500, which can be covered by a generous host or divided among guests.) A frank discussion is led by co-founders Regina Jackson, who is black, and Saira Rao, who identifies as Indian American. They started Race to Dinner to challenge liberal white women to accept their racism, however subconscious …
So far, 15 dinners have been held in big cities across the United States …
GUTOWSKI TAKES SIN CITY … "Range Time: Here’s What Happens at the World’s Largest Gun Show," by WFB Staff: Machine guns, flamethrowers, a Humvee rolling down the Strip, and a wedding. It was all there in Las Vegas at the world's largest gun show: SHOT Show 2020.
At this year's show, Washington Free Beacon staff writer Stephen Gutowski explores the showroom floor, interviews industry leaders and gun-rights activists, shoots a freaking minigun, eats the best steak in Vegas, and watches Elvis marry a couple of gun-rights activists.
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1,150. Come back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--MSNBC Anchor Says Netanyahu is One of the World’s ‘Bad Guys,’ Puts Jewish Leader in List With Putin

MSNBC host Chris Matthews said Israel 's longtime prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the world 's `` bad guys , '' lumping him in with brutal dictators such as Russia 's Vladimir Putin and Turkey 's Recep Erdoğan .
Matthews observed during his Tuesday night show that President Donald Trump likes `` bad guys '' on the world stage more than world leaders Matthews views as good , such as French president Emanuel Macron .
`` He does seem to be a guy who does n't like the good guys of the world , he seems to like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He does n't like Macron , or Justin Trudeau , or the chancellor of Germany—they 're all too regular for him—he likes the bad guys , he wants to be one of them . ''
As MSNBC commentator Steve Schmidt responded by saying Trump `` fetishizes the Erdogans , and the Putins , and the dictators , '' he was interrupted by Matthews who wanted to add Israel 's Netanyahu to the list .
Netanyahu is the longest serving prime minister in Israel 's history , serving first a stint from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midst of a longer tenure that began in 2009 .
A recent Gallup poll found Netanyahu to be the foreign leader most admired by the American people .

MSNBC host Chris Matthews said Israel's longtime prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the world's "bad guys," lumping him in with brutal dictators such as Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Recep Erdoğan.
Matthews observed during his Tuesday night show that President Donald Trump likes "bad guys" on the world stage more than world leaders Matthews views as good, such as French president Emanuel Macron.
"He does seem to be a guy who doesn't like the good guys of the world, he seems to like the bad guys," Matthews said. "He doesn't like Macron, or Justin Trudeau, or the chancellor of Germany—they're all too regular for him—he likes the bad guys, he wants to be one of them."
As MSNBC commentator Steve Schmidt responded by saying Trump "fetishizes the Erdogans, and the Putins, and the dictators," he was interrupted by Matthews who wanted to add Israel's Netanyahu to the list.
"Let's throw in Netanyahu," Matthews said.
Netanyahu is the longest serving prime minister in Israel's history, serving first a stint from 1996 to 1999 and now in the midst of a longer tenure that began in 2009. A recent Gallup poll found Netanyahu to be the foreign leader most admired by the American people.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Continetti: Biden Is in Big Trouble

Continetti: Biden Is in Big Trouble

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said on Tuesday that Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign is in `` big trouble '' after the Iowa caucus .
`` Biden has very few resources , '' Continetti said on Fox News ’ s Special Report .
`` He , historically , has been terrible at raising money . ''
`` So you ’ re saying he survived to lose another day ? ''
Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked .
`` Exactly , '' Continetti replied .
`` And think about the contest : you have New Hampshire and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie has already been competitive .
So that lead in South Carolina in the most recent poll is already down to five points for Biden .
It will slip further .
He is in big trouble no matter what we ’ ve seen in the past . ''
The former vice president is in fourth place in the Iowa caucus with 62 percent of the vote reporting in .
He trails behind former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign aides and allies expressed disappointment Tuesday with the former vice president ’ s performance in Iowa but said he had not been expected to win .
`` Joe Biden has been in politics for 47 years , '' Continetti concluded .
`` He has yet to win a caucus or primary . ''

'Joe Biden has been in politics for 47 years. He has yet to win a caucus or primary.'
Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said on Tuesday that Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is in "big trouble" after the Iowa caucus.
"Biden has very few resources," Continetti said on Fox News’s Special Report. "He, historically, has been terrible at raising money."
"So you’re saying he survived to lose another day?" Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked.
"Exactly," Continetti replied. "And think about the contest: you have New Hampshire and then, after that, Nevada, where Bernie has already been competitive. So that lead in South Carolina in the most recent poll is already down to five points for Biden. It will slip further. He is in big trouble no matter what we’ve seen in the past."
The former vice president is in fourth place in the Iowa caucus with 62 percent of the vote reporting in. He trails behind former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.). Biden’s campaign aides and allies expressed disappointment Tuesday with the former vice president’s performance in Iowa but said he had not been expected to win.
"Joe Biden has been in politics for 47 years," Continetti concluded. "He has yet to win a caucus or primary."