freebeacon--2020-02-28--Two Amy McGraths: Kentucky Dem Cuts Medicare for All Criticism From National Ads

Inside Kentucky , Democratic Senate hopeful Amy McGrath assures voters that she opposes controversial policies of 2020 frontrunner Bernie Sanders , including Medicare for All and free college—positions she omits in fundraising pitches to potential donors outside the Bluegrass State .
McGrath is running near-identical ads , touting her military background as she enters a fighter jet hangar , inside and outside the state .
In Kentucky , the ad says her platform `` does n't mean free college and Medicare for All , '' adding that she is `` against that . ''
Those portions are replaced with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) in versions of the ad circulated nationwide .
`` I 'm running for Senate in Kentucky against Mitch McConnell .
I can win , but I need your help , '' McGrath says in place of the anti-Medicare for All and free college message .
`` With your contribution , we can finally remove Mitch McConnell from office and start repairing the damage he 's done to our country . ''
McGrath is facing criticism in her home state for the inconsistent messaging .
Primary opponent Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In her ads here in Kentucky , [ McGrath ] says she is against free college and Medicare for All .
In her ads running in other states , she removed these lines , '' Broihier said in a Friday tweet .
`` What does McGrath actually believe ? ''
Broihier , who is running to McGrath 's left , supported Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary .
McGrath endorsed Joe Biden for president in January .
Her campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the ad 's discrepancies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders if he wins the nomination .
McGrath 's national fundraising plea comes amid a decline in campaign contributions .
The Kentucky Democrat brought in $ 6.1 million in quarter four fundraising , down 42 percent from the nearly $ 11 million she raised in quarter three .
McGrath has relied on out-of-state support in her bid to unseat McConnell despite portraying her campaign as a `` grassroots movement . ''
Just 1 percent of McGrath 's itemized contributions , less than $ 230,000 , came from inside Kentucky in quarters three and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 million came from the liberal strongholds of California , New York , and Massachusetts .
The Kentucky Democrat has been especially popular in Hollywood , raking in contributions from actress Amy Schumer , Walt Disney Studios co-chairman Alan Horn , movie producer and top Barack Obama bundler Jeffrey Katzenberg , and NBA coach and China apologist Steve Kerr .
McGrath announced her campaign against McConnell in a solemn July ad that did not once use the word `` Kentucky . ''
The Democrat faced immediate criticism after her campaign launch when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court before reversing course .
Washington Post reporter and CNN political analyst Rachael Bade concluded the Democrat `` probably ca n't recover '' from the gaffe .
McGrath drew national attention in 2018 when she lost by 4 points to Rep. Andy Barr ( R. , Ky. ) in Kentucky 's Sixth Congressional District after comparing President Donald Trump 's election to the Sept. 11 terror attacks .

Inside Kentucky, Democratic Senate hopeful Amy McGrath assures voters that she opposes controversial policies of 2020 frontrunner Bernie Sanders, including Medicare for All and free college—positions she omits in fundraising pitches to potential donors outside the Bluegrass State.
McGrath is running near-identical ads, touting her military background as she enters a fighter jet hangar, inside and outside the state. In Kentucky, the ad says her platform "doesn't mean free college and Medicare for All," adding that she is "against that." Those portions are replaced with a fundraising plea attacking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) in versions of the ad circulated nationwide.
"I'm running for Senate in Kentucky against Mitch McConnell. I can win, but I need your help," McGrath says in place of the anti-Medicare for All and free college message. "With your contribution, we can finally remove Mitch McConnell from office and start repairing the damage he's done to our country."
McGrath is facing criticism in her home state for the inconsistent messaging. Primary opponent Mike Broihier accused her of dishonesty.
"In her ads here in Kentucky, [McGrath] says she is against free college and Medicare for All. In her ads running in other states, she removed these lines," Broihier said in a Friday tweet. "What does McGrath actually believe?"
Broihier, who is running to McGrath's left, supported Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. McGrath endorsed Joe Biden for president in January. Her campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the ad's discrepancies, or about whether she would back Sanders if he wins the nomination.
McGrath's national fundraising plea comes amid a decline in campaign contributions. The Kentucky Democrat brought in $6.1 million in quarter four fundraising, down 42 percent from the nearly $11 million she raised in quarter three.
McGrath has relied on out-of-state support in her bid to unseat McConnell despite portraying her campaign as a "grassroots movement." Just 1 percent of McGrath's itemized contributions, less than $230,000, came from inside Kentucky in quarters three and four of 2019. More than $3 million came from the liberal strongholds of California, New York, and Massachusetts. The Kentucky Democrat has been especially popular in Hollywood, raking in contributions from actress Amy Schumer, Walt Disney Studios co-chairman Alan Horn, movie producer and top Barack Obama bundler Jeffrey Katzenberg, and NBA coach and China apologist Steve Kerr.
McGrath announced her campaign against McConnell in a solemn July ad that did not once use the word "Kentucky." The Democrat faced immediate criticism after her campaign launch when she said she would "probably" have voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court before reversing course. Washington Post reporter and CNN political analyst Rachael Bade concluded the Democrat "probably can't recover" from the gaffe.
McGrath drew national attention in 2018 when she lost by 4 points to Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) in Kentucky's Sixth Congressional District after comparing President Donald Trump's election to the Sept. 11 terror attacks.


freebeacon--2020-02-28--The Bernie Doctrine: Praise the Commies, Trash the Jews

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) has found ways to praise Cuba under Fidel Castro , Nicaragua under @ @ @ @ @ communist Soviet Union during his political career , but he 's never shy about lashing @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 Democratic nomination .
David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ sports reporter for two years in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the @ @ @ @ @ from Vanderbilt University in 2010 and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ @ @ @ @ be reached at rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has found ways to praise Cuba under Fidel Castro, Nicaragua under the Sandinistas, and the communist Soviet Union during his political career, but he's never shy about lashing into Israel as he seeks the 2020 Democratic nomination.


freebeacon--2020-02-28--House Dems Defeat Born Alive Amendment

House Dems Defeat Born Alive Amendment

House Democrats followed their Senate counterparts on Friday and voted down legislation that would guarantee medical care for infants who survive abortions .
Democratic representatives Collin Peterson ( Minn. ) , Ben McAdams ( Utah ) , and Dan Lipinski ( Ill. ) crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the amendment , which failed by a vote of 220 to 187 .
Twenty-two representatives did not vote .
Rep. Ann Wagner ( R. , Mo . )
called on her fellow lawmakers to take action to protect newborn infants .
`` Congress has an opportunity to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he or she is allegedly unwanted , '' Wagner said in remarks on the House floor .
`` We can and we must act . ''
President Trump has repeatedly attacked Democrats as the `` party of late-term abortion '' on the campaign trail and plans to make abortion a major issue in 2020 .
Wagner ripped Democratic House leadership for repeatedly declining to put the legislation to a vote , saying `` Our constituents must know where we stand . ''
Wagner added that a majority of Democratic voters support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ignore their voices . ''
A 2019 poll found that nearly 80 percent of voters , including a majority of self-described abortion supporters , backed measures to provide life-saving care to newborns .
Wagner and Rep. Greg Walden ( R. , Ore. ) introduced the act through a motion to recommit .
They attempted to add it as an amendment to a bill regulating the sale of tobacco .
`` It breaks my heart to find that we must defend life-saving care for newborn babies , '' Wagner said during her remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Ben Sasse 's ( R. , Neb . )
Born Alive Act .
Sasse ripped Democrats for trying to `` defend the indefensible . ''
Presidential hopefuls Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
all skipped the vote after voting against the Born Alive Act in 2019 .

House Democrats followed their Senate counterparts on Friday and voted down legislation that would guarantee medical care for infants who survive abortions.
Democratic representatives Collin Peterson (Minn.), Ben McAdams (Utah), and Dan Lipinski (Ill.) crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the amendment, which failed by a vote of 220 to 187. Twenty-two representatives did not vote.
Rep. Ann Wagner (R., Mo.) called on her fellow lawmakers to take action to protect newborn infants.
"Congress has an opportunity to ensure that no baby is denied life-saving care simply because he or she is allegedly unwanted," Wagner said in remarks on the House floor. "We can and we must act."
President Trump has repeatedly attacked Democrats as the "party of late-term abortion" on the campaign trail and plans to make abortion a major issue in 2020. Wagner ripped Democratic House leadership for repeatedly declining to put the legislation to a vote, saying "Our constituents must know where we stand."
Wagner added that a majority of Democratic voters support the Born Alive Act, but their representatives "ignore their voices." A 2019 poll found that nearly 80 percent of voters, including a majority of self-described abortion supporters, backed measures to provide life-saving care to newborns.
Wagner and Rep. Greg Walden (R., Ore.) introduced the act through a motion to recommit. They attempted to add it as an amendment to a bill regulating the sale of tobacco.
"It breaks my heart to find that we must defend life-saving care for newborn babies," Wagner said during her remarks.
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats defeated Sen. Ben Sasse's (R., Neb.) Born Alive Act. Sasse ripped Democrats for trying to "defend the indefensible." Presidential hopefuls Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) all skipped the vote after voting against the Born Alive Act in 2019.


freebeacon--2020-02-28--THANKS, OBAMA: Biden Eyes First Career Primary Win in South Carolina Ahead of Super Tuesday Bern-A-T

THANKS, OBAMA: Biden Eyes First Career Primary Win in South Carolina Ahead of Super Tuesday Bern-A-Thon

CHARLESTON , S.C. — Former vice president Joe Biden may be on the verge of securing the first Democratic primary win of his political career here in South Carolina , where voters will head to the polls on Saturday .
A Biden victory in the Palmetto State would end a remarkable winless streak spanning more than 30 years , three presidential campaigns , and countless train rides .
But with Super Tuesday lurking just around the corner , there wo n't be much time to celebrate , as Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) will attempt to lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 14 states—including Texas and California—holding primaries on March 3 .
A win on Saturday is by no means guaranteed for Biden , who is coming off his best performance of the year in last week 's Nevada caucus .
The former VP ( and onetime formidable frontrunner ) came in second but still lost to Sanders by more than 25 points .
A number of polls show the socialist insurgent ( and current formidable frontrunner ) within striking distance in South Carolina .
That does n't bode well for Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any hope of challenging Sanders at the Democratic convention in Milwaukee .
At this point in the race , lasting until the convention looks like the best-case scenario for any of the remaining candidates not named Bernie .
Even former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has already spent nearly half a billion dollars on his campaign despite not yet appearing on a single ballot , pledged to keep running until `` the bitter end . ''
If Biden does win decisively , his campaign will attempt to woo much-needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most viable alternative to Sanders .
If Sanders is able to pull off an improbable upset in South Carolina , it would put Biden out of his misery once and for all .
He could return to the train yard in Delaware , miles away from the TV studios where hapless political pundits would be wondering how the Democratic primary might have played out differently if former president Barack Obama had endorsed his former running mate—or if Biden had taken the advice of his former boss , who reportedly told him , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe , you really do n't . ''
In any event , he wo n't have to invent any more stories about being `` arrested '' in apartheid South Africa .
The result in South Carolina could also have significant ramifications for Pete Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of Indiana 's fourth-largest city .
Buttigieg will likely perform well among his core demographics of wealthy whites with graduate degrees , Boat Shoe Dads , and retired '90s Soccer Moms who sit on the boards of corporate charities .
Unfortunately , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the population here than in Iowa and New Hampshire , where Buttigieg finished in the top two .
Mayor Pete is on track to place fourth or fifth in South Carolina , according to the RealClearPolitics polling average .
He would be fortunate to record a statistically significant level of support among African-American voters—a recent East Carolina University poll found him winning just 2.3 percent of the black vote .
A result in that range on Saturday would presumably obliterate Mayor Pete 's claim to viability as a primary contender heading into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He 's not projected to win a single one , but his campaign is hoping to stay alive by executing the `` Dukakis strategy , '' which does n't sound very promising .
Former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis , who was blown out in the 1988 general election against George H.W .
Bush , was the last candidate to win the Democratic nomination without a majority of support from black voters .
In any event , one imagines Buttigieg 's `` white Obama '' affectation will start to wear a bit thin after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority voters .
If Buttigieg is especially lucky , he might surpass Tom Steyer , the generic billionaire candidate who was singled out by President Donald Trump on Twitter ahead of his MAGA rally in Charleston on Friday .
`` To the people of South Carolina , Tom Steyer is a joke , laughed at by everyone , a total incompetent , '' Trump wrote on the popular social networking website .
`` Has no chance , a loser for South Carolina , does n't deserve your vote ! ''
Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also on the ballot in South Carolina .

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Former vice president Joe Biden may be on the verge of securing the first Democratic primary win of his political career here in South Carolina, where voters will head to the polls on Saturday.
A Biden victory in the Palmetto State would end a remarkable winless streak spanning more than 30 years, three presidential campaigns, and countless train rides. But with Super Tuesday lurking just around the corner, there won't be much time to celebrate, as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) will attempt to lock up the Democratic nomination with strong showings in the 14 states—including Texas and California—holding primaries on March 3.
A win on Saturday is by no means guaranteed for Biden, who is coming off his best performance of the year in last week's Nevada caucus. The former VP (and onetime formidable frontrunner) came in second but still lost to Sanders by more than 25 points. A number of polls show the socialist insurgent (and current formidable frontrunner) within striking distance in South Carolina.
That doesn't bode well for Biden, who will need a decisive victory to have any hope of challenging Sanders at the Democratic convention in Milwaukee. At this point in the race, lasting until the convention looks like the best-case scenario for any of the remaining candidates not named Bernie. Even former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has already spent nearly half a billion dollars on his campaign despite not yet appearing on a single ballot, pledged to keep running until "the bitter end." If Biden does win decisively, his campaign will attempt to woo much-needed donors by pitching the candidate as the most viable alternative to Sanders.
If Sanders is able to pull off an improbable upset in South Carolina, it would put Biden out of his misery once and for all. He could return to the train yard in Delaware, miles away from the TV studios where hapless political pundits would be wondering how the Democratic primary might have played out differently if former president Barack Obama had endorsed his former running mate—or if Biden had taken the advice of his former boss, who reportedly told him, "You don't have to do this, Joe, you really don't." In any event, he won't have to invent any more stories about being "arrested" in apartheid South Africa.
The result in South Carolina could also have significant ramifications for Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of Indiana's fourth-largest city. Buttigieg will likely perform well among his core demographics of wealthy whites with graduate degrees, Boat Shoe Dads, and retired '90s Soccer Moms who sit on the boards of corporate charities. Unfortunately, those groups make up a smaller percentage of the population here than in Iowa and New Hampshire, where Buttigieg finished in the top two.
Mayor Pete is on track to place fourth or fifth in South Carolina, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. He would be fortunate to record a statistically significant level of support among African-American voters—a recent East Carolina University poll found him winning just 2.3 percent of the black vote. A result in that range on Saturday would presumably obliterate Mayor Pete's claim to viability as a primary contender heading into the diverse slate of Super Tuesday states. He's not projected to win a single one, but his campaign is hoping to stay alive by executing the "Dukakis strategy," which doesn't sound very promising.
Former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis, who was blown out in the 1988 general election against George H.W. Bush, was the last candidate to win the Democratic nomination without a majority of support from black voters. In any event, one imagines Buttigieg's "white Obama" affectation will start to wear a bit thin after the former mayor posts single-digit performances among minority voters.
If Buttigieg is especially lucky, he might surpass Tom Steyer, the generic billionaire candidate who was singled out by President Donald Trump on Twitter ahead of his MAGA rally in Charleston on Friday. "To the people of South Carolina, Tom Steyer is a joke, laughed at by everyone, a total incompetent," Trump wrote on the popular social networking website. "Has no chance, a loser for South Carolina, doesn't deserve your vote!"
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) is also on the ballot in South Carolina.


freebeacon--2020-02-28--House Democrat Threatens to Fight Donald Trump Jr.

Rep. John Garamendi ( D. , Calif. ) said Friday he could get into a `` serious altercation '' with Donald Trump Jr. over his comment that Democrats want the coronavirus to ruin President Trump 's chances of winning in November .
`` He should not be near me when he says that , '' Garamendi said .
`` There would be a serious altercation .
That 's totally outrageous .
I can assure you that there 's not a Democrat or Republican in Congress that wants anybody to be sick . ''
MSNBC 's Hallie Jackson asked Garamendi to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats `` seemingly [ hope coronavirus ] comes here and kills millions of people so it can end the president 's streak of winning , '' arguing Democrats have `` a new level of sickness . ''
President Trump 's response to the coronavirus has also been critiqued across the board by Democrats , even though reports indicate no fatalities in the United States .
Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg wrongly claimed this week that budget cuts in the Trump administration have left the nation unprepared to properly fight the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check , there were no significant budget cuts to the executive branch agencies tasked with responding to the coronavirus , as Biden and Bloomberg alleged .
Trump 's public health budget cuts have been overruled by Congress , and cuts to grant programs for state and local governments were initiated before Trump took office .
Panic over the looming threat of the coronavirus 's arrival in America heightened Wednesday when a Department of Health and Human Services whistleblower alleged federal employees tasked with handling coronavirus quarantine patients did n't follow proper safety protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura Ingraham have both accused Democrats of `` weaponizing '' the coronavirus against Trump .

Rep. John Garamendi (D., Calif.) said Friday he could get into a "serious altercation" with Donald Trump Jr. over his comment that Democrats want the coronavirus to ruin President Trump's chances of winning in November.
"He should not be near me when he says that," Garamendi said. "There would be a serious altercation. That's totally outrageous. I can assure you that there's not a Democrat or Republican in Congress that wants anybody to be sick."
MSNBC's Hallie Jackson asked Garamendi to respond to Trump Jr., who said Democrats "seemingly [hope coronavirus] comes here and kills millions of people so it can end the president's streak of winning," arguing Democrats have "a new level of sickness."
President Trump's response to the coronavirus has also been critiqued across the board by Democrats, even though reports indicate no fatalities in the United States. Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg wrongly claimed this week that budget cuts in the Trump administration have left the nation unprepared to properly fight the virus.
According to an Associated Press fact check, there were no significant budget cuts to the executive branch agencies tasked with responding to the coronavirus, as Biden and Bloomberg alleged. Trump's public health budget cuts have been overruled by Congress, and cuts to grant programs for state and local governments were initiated before Trump took office.
Panic over the looming threat of the coronavirus's arrival in America heightened Wednesday when a Department of Health and Human Services whistleblower alleged federal employees tasked with handling coronavirus quarantine patients didn't follow proper safety protocols.
Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham have both accused Democrats of "weaponizing" the coronavirus against Trump.


freebeacon--2020-03-01--Biden on South Africa Arrest Story: I Was Talking About Being ‘Strongly Opposed to Apartheid’

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday claimed he was talking about being `` strongly opposed to apartheid '' when questioned about falsely telling supporters he was arrested in South Africa .
`` What I was doing was talking about the fact that I was strongly opposed to apartheid , '' Biden said during an interview on Fox News Sunday .
Anchor Chris Wallace said Biden had told supporters he was arrested while trying to see Nelson Mandela , who was imprisoned in South Africa , at least three times on the campaign trail and asked the candidate if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embellish a story . ''
Biden retold the story about how he was separated from the Congressional Black Caucus at an airport in South Africa in 1977 and was forced to go through a racially segregated doorway labeled `` white , '' despite initially refusing .
He then told Wallace that he should have said he was `` detained , '' not arrested .
The Washington Post awarded Biden a `` Four Pinocchio '' rating last week for his repeated claim , calling it `` ridiculous . ''
`` Biden has never been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So it ’ s pretty surprising that on the eve of a primary critical to his election hopes , he suddenly recalls being arrested in South Africa — and being thanked by Mandela for being arrested , '' the Post said .
`` There is no evidence for either claim ; neither appears remotely credible .
Biden earns Four Pinocchios . ''
Biden admitted on CNN Friday that he was n't actually arrested , saying , `` I was n't arrested , I was stopped .
I was not able to move where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the only Sunday morning news anchor to ask Biden about his false arrest claim .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday claimed he was talking about being "strongly opposed to apartheid" when questioned about falsely telling supporters he was arrested in South Africa.
"What I was doing was talking about the fact that I was strongly opposed to apartheid," Biden said during an interview on Fox News Sunday.
Anchor Chris Wallace said Biden had told supporters he was arrested while trying to see Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned in South Africa, at least three times on the campaign trail and asked the candidate if he was "confused or just trying to embellish a story."
Biden retold the story about how he was separated from the Congressional Black Caucus at an airport in South Africa in 1977 and was forced to go through a racially segregated doorway labeled "white," despite initially refusing. He then told Wallace that he should have said he was "detained," not arrested.
The Washington Post awarded Biden a "Four Pinocchio" rating last week for his repeated claim, calling it "ridiculous."
"Biden has never been shy about tooting his own horn. So it’s pretty surprising that on the eve of a primary critical to his election hopes, he suddenly recalls being arrested in South Africa — and being thanked by Mandela for being arrested," the Post said. "There is no evidence for either claim; neither appears remotely credible. Biden earns Four Pinocchios."
Biden admitted on CNN Friday that he wasn't actually arrested, saying, "I wasn't arrested, I was stopped. I was not able to move where I wanted to go."
Wallace was the only Sunday morning news anchor to ask Biden about his false arrest claim.


freebeacon--2020-03-01--Sanders on Battling AIPAC: They Have a Lot of Money and Power

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) said Sunday he recognized the political risk of his battles with the pro-Israel lobby , saying it has a `` lot of money '' and `` a lot of power . ''
Sanders and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee exchanged blows last month , with Sanders saying the group provided a platform for `` bigotry , '' and AIPAC firing back that his attack was `` shameful '' and `` odious . ''
Sanders , the current frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic nomination , acknowledged on Face the Nation that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They have a lot of money , '' Sanders said .
`` They have a lot of power .
Look , I 'm Jewish , and I 'm very proud of my Jewish heritage… .
I am not into [ being ] anti-Israel .
I will do everything I can to protect the independence and the security and the freedom of the Israeli people .
But what we need in this country is a foreign policy that not only protects Israel but deals with the suffering of the Palestinian people as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a `` racist '' and assailed Israel 's treatment of the Palestinians .
He often invokes the poor living conditions in the Gaza Strip , which is blockaded by Israel and Egypt due to its governance by the Palestinian terror group Hamas .
Sanders also frequently cites the months he spent living on a kibbutz in Israel in the 1960s as proof of his commitment to the alliance .
However , he has also threatened to withhold aid to Israel as leverage regarding the country 's handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations Danny Danon called Sanders an `` ignorant fool '' on Sunday and said the candidate was n't welcome in Israel .
While support for Israel has been a bipartisan issue in the past , support for the Jewish state from the political left has decreased over the past decade .
Self-described liberal Democrats were almost as likely to say they sympathized more with the Palestinians ( 38 percent ) as the Israelis ( 41 percent ) in a Gallup poll last year .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said Sunday he recognized the political risk of his battles with the pro-Israel lobby, saying it has a "lot of money" and "a lot of power."
Sanders and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee exchanged blows last month, with Sanders saying the group provided a platform for "bigotry," and AIPAC firing back that his attack was "shameful" and "odious."
Sanders, the current frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic nomination, acknowledged on Face the Nation that his criticism could have a political cost.
"They have a lot of money," Sanders said. "They have a lot of power. Look, I'm Jewish, and I'm very proud of my Jewish heritage.... I am not into [being] anti-Israel. I will do everything I can to protect the independence and the security and the freedom of the Israeli people. But what we need in this country is a foreign policy that not only protects Israel but deals with the suffering of the Palestinian people as well."
Sanders has repeatedly called Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "racist" and assailed Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. He often invokes the poor living conditions in the Gaza Strip, which is blockaded by Israel and Egypt due to its governance by the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
Sanders also frequently cites the months he spent living on a kibbutz in Israel in the 1960s as proof of his commitment to the alliance. However, he has also threatened to withhold aid to Israel as leverage regarding the country's handling of the Palestinian conflict.
Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called Sanders an "ignorant fool" on Sunday and said the candidate wasn't welcome in Israel.
While support for Israel has been a bipartisan issue in the past, support for the Jewish state from the political left has decreased over the past decade. Self-described liberal Democrats were almost as likely to say they sympathized more with the Palestinians (38 percent) as the Israelis (41 percent) in a Gallup poll last year.


freebeacon--2020-03-01--Biden Falsely Claims Trump Was ‘Muzzling’ Health Official

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday falsely claimed that President Donald Trump was `` muzzling '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , from speaking to the public about the dangers of the coronavirus .
`` I see no preparedness other than political talking points , putting someone in charge who is not a scientist , and muzzling the scientists , '' the former vice president said during an interview on ABC 's This Week .
`` Mr. Fauci has been here all the way back to the Bush administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Biden 's claim comes a day after Trump and Fauci both denied the New York Times report about the director being muzzled , during a press conference addressing the deadly virus .
A reporter asked Trump about the report , prompting him to say , `` He was never muzzled . ''
He then invited Fauci to come forward and address the `` very dishonest question . ''
`` Let me clarify it .
I have never been muzzled , ever , and I have been doing this since the administration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muzzled by this administration , '' Fauci said .
`` We were set up to go on some shows , and when the vice president took over , we said , ‘ Let 's regroup and figure out how we 're going to be communicating . '
So I had to just stand down on a couple of shows and resubmit for clearance .
And when I resubmitted for clearance , I got cleared , so I have not been muzzled at all , '' Fauci continued .
`` That was a real @ @ @ @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday falsely claimed that President Donald Trump was "muzzling" Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, from speaking to the public about the dangers of the coronavirus.
"I see no preparedness other than political talking points, putting someone in charge who is not a scientist, and muzzling the scientists," the former vice president said during an interview on ABC's This Week. "Mr. Fauci has been here all the way back to the Bush administration. What's going on here?"
Biden's claim comes a day after Trump and Fauci both denied the New York Times report about the director being muzzled, during a press conference addressing the deadly virus. A reporter asked Trump about the report, prompting him to say, "He was never muzzled." He then invited Fauci to come forward and address the "very dishonest question."
https://twitter.com/FrancisBrennan/status/1233840500131737603?s=20
"Let me clarify it. I have never been muzzled, ever, and I have been doing this since the administration of Ronald Reagan. I am not being muzzled by this administration," Fauci said.
"We were set up to go on some shows, and when the vice president took over, we said, 'Let's regroup and figure out how we're going to be communicating.' So I had to just stand down on a couple of shows and resubmit for clearance. And when I resubmitted for clearance, I got cleared, so I have not been muzzled at all," Fauci continued. "That was a real misrepresentation of what happened."


freebeacon--2020-03-01--Biden Calls Chris Wallace ‘Chuck’

Biden Calls Chris Wallace ‘Chuck’

Former vice president Joe Biden called Fox News host Chris Wallace `` Chuck '' at the end of their interview Sunday , right after Biden mocked President Donald Trump for calling him `` Sleepy Joe . ''
Biden responded to Trump suggesting he was senile Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference , saying , `` Is that the stable genius saying that ? ''
and that he could n't wait to debate Trump .
`` We 'll see who 's sleepy , '' Biden said , referring to Trump 's nickname for him .
Wallace thanked him for appearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied , `` All right , Chuck , thank you very much . ''
Biden said he just `` did Chuck , '' referring to Meet The Press host Chuck Todd .
`` I tell you what man , these are back-to-back , '' Biden said .
`` I do n't know how you do it early in the morning . ''
Biden made multiple Sunday show appearances following his landslide victory in Saturday 's South Carolina primary , which he hopes will rejuvenate his campaign .
It was his first-ever primary victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first appearance on Fox News Sunday since 2007 , Biden was pressed on his fictional story about getting arrested in South Africa while trying to see Nelson Mandela , as well as his recent gaffe where he said he was running for the Senate .

Comes after Biden mocked Trump's 'Sleepy Joe' nickname for him
Former vice president Joe Biden called Fox News host Chris Wallace "Chuck" at the end of their interview Sunday, right after Biden mocked President Donald Trump for calling him "Sleepy Joe."
Biden responded to Trump suggesting he was senile Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, saying, "Is that the stable genius saying that?" and that he couldn't wait to debate Trump.
"We'll see who's sleepy," Biden said, referring to Trump's nickname for him.
Wallace thanked him for appearing on the show, to which Biden replied, "All right, Chuck, thank you very much."
"It's Chris," Wallace said.
Biden said he just "did Chuck," referring to Meet The Press host Chuck Todd.
"I tell you what man, these are back-to-back," Biden said. "I don't know how you do it early in the morning."
Biden made multiple Sunday show appearances following his landslide victory in Saturday's South Carolina primary, which he hopes will rejuvenate his campaign. It was his first-ever primary victory in his third presidential bid.
Making his first appearance on Fox News Sunday since 2007, Biden was pressed on his fictional story about getting arrested in South Africa while trying to see Nelson Mandela, as well as his recent gaffe where he said he was running for the Senate.


freebeacon--2020-03-01--WOKE IS BROKE: Buttigieg, Warren Personify Ruling-Class Decadence, Futility in 2020

CHARLESTON , S.C. — The élites are losing control .
Donald Trump is president , and Bernie Sanders is on the verge of locking up the Democratic nomination .
Both scenarios offend the delicate sensibilities of our ruling class , which is why many assumed they could never happen .
After all , what is the point of having a ruling class if the unwashed masses do n't respect its wisdom and refuse to support its approved candidates ?
Former vice president Joe Biden 's first career primary win in South Carolina has done little to forestall the reckoning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Sanders will likely accumulate enough delegates to ensure that no single candidate can surpass him .
The only way to prevent the independent socialist from securing the nomination will be to steal it from him at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee .
Yeah , good luck with that .
Biden 's victory in South Carolina is , from the élite perspective , a welcome development .
In terms of significance , however , it pales in comparison to the collapse of South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ivy-League candidates who best represent the `` woke '' sensibilities of the ruling class .
Their fourth and fifth-place finishes , respectively , are a testament to élite futility in 2020 .
Warren is by far the most `` woke '' of the remaining candidates .
She was one of the first primary candidates to list her pronouns ( she/her ) on her campaign Twitter account and to use the activist-inspired term `` Latinx '' on the debate stage .
She 's the top-rated candidate by the Center for Urban and Racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist group Black Womxn For , as well as `` Squad '' member Rep. Ayanna Pressley ( D. , Mass . )
, who has praised Warren 's `` intersectional policy . ''
Just days before the South Carolina primary , musician John Legend joined Warren on stage at a rally in Charleston , where he proceeded to serenade the almost entirely white audience .
The highly educated , highly compensated , Acela-corridor class of professional pundits has been absolutely flummoxed by Warren 's lack of success among actual voters .
The same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already dropped out , including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D. , N.Y. ) , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , and failed Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke .
In fairness to Warren , she was already faltering long before her lack of support among black voters ( just 4 percent in South Carolina , according to an NBC News exit poll ) became a matter of public record .
Her popularity among minority activists and scholars , whose opinions are highly likely to be embraced by official party organs—and filtered through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular voters .
Buttigieg , on the other hand , is n't very popular among minority activists .
He 's more `` woke '' than Biden and has n't publicly praised any segregationists , but his record on racial issues as mayor continues to be a source of controversy .
It even followed him to South Carolina , where the South Bend chapter of Black Lives Matter handed out fliers highlighting the `` systemic racism under Mayor Pete '' at a Buttigieg rally in Columbia .
Though Buttigieg vastly outperformed Warren in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he fell off a cliff in South Carolina , where he won just 2 percent of the black vote .
Not surprising , given that Buttigieg 's rallies in South Carolina were aesthetically identical to his rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire .
In other words , white AF .
Not that Buttigieg did n't try to win the support of black voters .
It 's just that his tactics—preemptively celebrating the endorsements of prominent black figures who had n't actually endorsed him , then begging them to reconsider—were n't very effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg 's vibe—student-body president who excelled at homework and founded the `` Racial Justice Society '' in high school—is extremely annoying .
Instead , the 38-year-old candidate had to settle for discussing race in a way that appealed to his core demographic of white liberals : apologizing for his white privilege and reassuring supporters that being vaguely concerned about climate change is a great way to express opposition to racism .
Because few things appeal to white liberals more than the idea of training minority workers to assemble and install solar panels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone who earns slightly more money than they do .
Two birds , one stone .
Problem solved .
It is fitting , and perhaps predictable , that Buttigieg and Warren faltered so dramatically as soon as the primary campaign arrived in a state with a population that reflects the diverse demographics of the Democratic electorate .
In the interest of putting their epic failure in South Carolina in perspective , consider that they both lost to this guy :

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The élites are losing control. Donald Trump is president, and Bernie Sanders is on the verge of locking up the Democratic nomination. Both scenarios offend the delicate sensibilities of our ruling class, which is why many assumed they could never happen. After all, what is the point of having a ruling class if the unwashed masses don't respect its wisdom and refuse to support its approved candidates?
Former vice president Joe Biden's first career primary win in South Carolina has done little to forestall the reckoning that awaits the Democratic Party on Super Tuesday, when Sanders will likely accumulate enough delegates to ensure that no single candidate can surpass him. The only way to prevent the independent socialist from securing the nomination will be to steal it from him at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Yeah, good luck with that.
Biden's victory in South Carolina is, from the élite perspective, a welcome development. In terms of significance, however, it pales in comparison to the collapse of South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), the Ivy-League candidates who best represent the "woke" sensibilities of the ruling class. Their fourth and fifth-place finishes, respectively, are a testament to élite futility in 2020.
Warren is by far the most "woke" of the remaining candidates. She was one of the first primary candidates to list her pronouns (she/her) on her campaign Twitter account and to use the activist-inspired term "Latinx" on the debate stage. She's the top-rated candidate by the Center for Urban and Racial Equity. She was endorsed by the activist group Black Womxn For, as well as "Squad" member Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.), who has praised Warren's "intersectional policy." Just days before the South Carolina primary, musician John Legend joined Warren on stage at a rally in Charleston, where he proceeded to serenade the almost entirely white audience.
The highly educated, highly compensated, Acela-corridor class of professional pundits has been absolutely flummoxed by Warren's lack of success among actual voters. The same could be said of several candidates who already dropped out, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.), Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), and failed Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke.
In fairness to Warren, she was already faltering long before her lack of support among black voters (just 4 percent in South Carolina, according to an NBC News exit poll) became a matter of public record. Her popularity among minority activists and scholars, whose opinions are highly likely to be embraced by official party organs—and filtered through the media—did not translate into support from regular voters.
Buttigieg, on the other hand, isn't very popular among minority activists. He's more "woke" than Biden and hasn't publicly praised any segregationists, but his record on racial issues as mayor continues to be a source of controversy. It even followed him to South Carolina, where the South Bend chapter of Black Lives Matter handed out fliers highlighting the "systemic racism under Mayor Pete" at a Buttigieg rally in Columbia.
Though Buttigieg vastly outperformed Warren in the majority-white enclaves of Iowa and New Hampshire, he fell off a cliff in South Carolina, where he won just 2 percent of the black vote. Not surprising, given that Buttigieg's rallies in South Carolina were aesthetically identical to his rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire. In other words, white AF.
If anyone is looking for the white people, I found them all! About 2,000 folks in line for @PeteButtigieg event in Columbia! Holy mother of Pearl. #sc2020 #scpol #Democrats2020 pic.twitter.com/4ZJd7sz00B — Laurin Manning Gandy (@laurinmanning) February 29, 2020
Not that Buttigieg didn't try to win the support of black voters. It's just that his tactics—preemptively celebrating the endorsements of prominent black figures who hadn't actually endorsed him, then begging them to reconsider—weren't very effective. It certainly didn't help that Buttigieg's vibe—student-body president who excelled at homework and founded the "Racial Justice Society" in high school—is extremely annoying.
Instead, the 38-year-old candidate had to settle for discussing race in a way that appealed to his core demographic of white liberals: apologizing for his white privilege and reassuring supporters that being vaguely concerned about climate change is a great way to express opposition to racism. Because few things appeal to white liberals more than the idea of training minority workers to assemble and install solar panels, all paid for by raising taxes on everyone who earns slightly more money than they do. Two birds, one stone. Problem solved.
It is fitting, and perhaps predictable, that Buttigieg and Warren faltered so dramatically as soon as the primary campaign arrived in a state with a population that reflects the diverse demographics of the Democratic electorate. In the interest of putting their epic failure in South Carolina in perspective, consider that they both lost to this guy:


freebeacon--2020-03-01--Review: Ross Douthat’s ‘The Decadent Society’

In perhaps the most famous of his Theses on the Philosophy of History , German critical theorist Walter Benjamin describes a Paul Klee painting many years in his possession , Angelus Novus .
Benjamin writes that the painting depicts an angel looking backward on history : `` Where we see the appearance of a chain of events , he sees one single catastrophe , which unceasingly piles rubble on top of rubble and hurls it before his feet . ''
The angel wants to repair the wreckage , but a storm `` blowing from Paradise … has caught itself up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him irresistibly into the future . ''
`` That which we call progress , '' Benjamin writes , `` is this storm . ''
New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat may be America 's most widely read conservative .
It is a testament to his singular skill and wisdom , then , that he has written so thoughtful and compelling a book that bemoans the end of progress .
The Decadent Society , his fifth full-length offering , is Douthat at his best—clever , considered , counterintuitive , and shot through with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , Douthat argues in the book 's introduction , the United States was driven to do the impossible .
In July of 1969 , when three men made it to the moon , we had reached `` the peak of human accomplishment and daring , the greatest single triumph of modern science and government and industry . ''
The postwar period is demarcated by the breakneck pace of scientific and societal advancement , engendering a society aiming its sights ever higher .
The collapse of that paradigm with the 1986 Challenger disaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stagnancy , sclerosis , and `` decadence . ''
The word has the denotation of decline , but Douthat prefers a definition offered by French-American historian Jacques Barzun : `` economic stagnation , institutional decay , and cultural and intellectual exhaustion at a high level of material prosperity and technological development . ''
Having come this far , we have stopped and said , `` No farther . ''
In our age of ever-accelerating information technology , this is a counterintuitive hypothesis , but Douthat defends it admirably .
Economically , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while ( with a few notable exceptions ) technological advances have slowed and productivity improvements remain weak .
We still do not have Keynes 's dreamed-of 15-hour workweek , and our own era is far more similar , technologically speaking , to three decades ago than the Reagan era was to the ’ 50s .
The economy is not the only thing that has stalled out .
Collapsing birthrates are another sign of decadence , as are our `` sclerotic '' institutions , rotted through with gridlock wrought by some of the oldest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , has grown decadent—the book 's best chapter finally explains why Hollywood keeps making and remaking the same movies over and over again .
Key to this paradigm , Douthat argues , is the way that it produces its own stability .
Social ills like opioid dependency , widespread pharmaceutical use , and pornography can be understood as mechanisms for the suppression of revolutionary ire .
In perhaps the book 's cleverest insight , Douthat explains that even social media serve this safety valve function , with the online hate mob safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These second-order stabilizers arguably supplement , rather than fully support , the present stability .
Each of Douthat 's `` four horsemen of decadence '' —economic stagnation , collective infertility , political sclerosis , and cultural repetition—represents structural choices to sacrifice the future for the present .
Weak innovation is driven by selecting short-term returns over investment , and by a publish-or-perish paradigm that makes careers but not discoveries .
Collapsing fertility rates reflect deferred childbearing , spending the future social and personal benefits of children to ensure individuals ' present stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class that clings to its own power , at the cost of training a future elite .
And cultural repetition is in large part a product of Hollywood playing it safe , churning out blockbuster pablum instead of investing in something that might fail .
In other words , what is meant by `` decadence '' is in part `` risk-averseness . ''
Where once we dared to do impossible things in the hope of a better tomorrow , now we pour everything possible into simply preserving the status quo .
The book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could break out of this feedback loop .
Through three chapters , he considers a societal collapse driven by mass strife over immigration , a la Michel Houllebecq ; a rising Africa driving `` renaissance , '' and a return either to the will to power through renewed space exploration , or the will to meaning through a religious revival .
Even in the case of catastrophe , Douthat seems to see such regime-shattering possibilities as fundamentally positive .
The return of history , even in its worst forms , might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer Tara Isabella Burton put it in her own review , `` What we need , Douthat implies , is a renewed eschatological vision of what history , and what we , are for [ emphasis in original ] . ''
It is little surprise that among Douthat 's many positive reviewers is arch-techno-optimist Peter Thiel , who writes that , `` If there is a problem with the book , it is that Douthat does not press his own theme [ of returning to the future ] urgently enough . ''
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is one question to which Douthat gives perhaps inadequate treatment : Why has decadence happened ?
It may simply be the case that it is a function of our stage of societal development—grow sufficiently wealthy , and you will become fat and lazy as well .
But , insofar as we have chosen decadence through risk-averseness , we raise another question : Why work so hard to forestall the future ?
Benjamin completed Theses on the Philosophy of History in 1940 in France , as Hitler 's army was bearing down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled the Nazi regime once , Benjamin crossed into Spain with plans to make for America .
Denied entry into Portugal , with the Gestapo close behind him , he committed suicide at the border .
Benjamin was a Marxist , and so ideologically bound to a utopian optimism as to technological change .
It is therefore odd—and oft-remarked upon—that the theory of history presented in the Theses is so bleak .
One can not help but conclude that Benjamin 's pessimism was a product of the historical circumstances that led to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the peak of human accomplishment and daring . ''
But that heady era was itself the product of nearly a century of political , technological , and economic innovation which totally transformed our society , as often enabling great evil as good .
Before it meant going to the moon , technological change meant the advent of mass managerial tools and ideologies integral to the rise of fascism .
It is impossible to disconnect IBM from the Holocaust , with the cold calculation of one depending on the other .
The space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pall of the Cold War , itself rendered so horrifying by the world-destroying nuclear power that technology had unlocked .
The point here is not techno-pessimism : We can agree that progress has produced innumerable benefits while also acknowledging its costs .
But the Angelus Novus knows what a `` renewed eschatological vision of history '' looks like , and it is not necessarily pretty .
There are plenty of technological horrors waiting for the end of the end of history : genetic research leading to mass cullings , the most comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological weapons of war , which even their creators may not be able to control .
In light of all this , is it so odd that we have said , `` No farther ? ''
The Decadent Society suggests that history has only ended because we have chosen for it to do so .
Douthat is right that we can steer our way out of that pause toward a brighter future .
But we ought not discount the real possibility that the winds of progress are simply producing `` rubble on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pile up whether we want it to or not .

In perhaps the most famous of his Theses on the Philosophy of History, German critical theorist Walter Benjamin describes a Paul Klee painting many years in his possession, Angelus Novus. Benjamin writes that the painting depicts an angel looking backward on history: "Where we see the appearance of a chain of events, he sees one single catastrophe, which unceasingly piles rubble on top of rubble and hurls it before his feet." The angel wants to repair the wreckage, but a storm "blowing from Paradise ... has caught itself up in his wings" and "drives him irresistibly into the future."
"That which we call progress," Benjamin writes, "is this storm."
New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat may be America's most widely read conservative. It is a testament to his singular skill and wisdom, then, that he has written so thoughtful and compelling a book that bemoans the end of progress. The Decadent Society, his fifth full-length offering, is Douthat at his best—clever, considered, counterintuitive, and shot through with insight about modern America.
A half-century ago, Douthat argues in the book's introduction, the United States was driven to do the impossible. In July of 1969, when three men made it to the moon, we had reached "the peak of human accomplishment and daring, the greatest single triumph of modern science and government and industry." The postwar period is demarcated by the breakneck pace of scientific and societal advancement, engendering a society aiming its sights ever higher.
The collapse of that paradigm with the 1986 Challenger disaster produced its own opposite: an age of stagnancy, sclerosis, and "decadence." The word has the denotation of decline, but Douthat prefers a definition offered by French-American historian Jacques Barzun: "economic stagnation, institutional decay, and cultural and intellectual exhaustion at a high level of material prosperity and technological development." Having come this far, we have stopped and said, "No farther."
In our age of ever-accelerating information technology, this is a counterintuitive hypothesis, but Douthat defends it admirably. Economically, he argues, we face anemic growth, while (with a few notable exceptions) technological advances have slowed and productivity improvements remain weak. We still do not have Keynes's dreamed-of 15-hour workweek, and our own era is far more similar, technologically speaking, to three decades ago than the Reagan era was to the ’50s.
The economy is not the only thing that has stalled out. Collapsing birthrates are another sign of decadence, as are our "sclerotic" institutions, rotted through with gridlock wrought by some of the oldest lawmakers in American history. Culture, too, has grown decadent—the book's best chapter finally explains why Hollywood keeps making and remaking the same movies over and over again.
Key to this paradigm, Douthat argues, is the way that it produces its own stability. Social ills like opioid dependency, widespread pharmaceutical use, and pornography can be understood as mechanisms for the suppression of revolutionary ire. In perhaps the book's cleverest insight, Douthat explains that even social media serve this safety valve function, with the online hate mob safely venting our frustrations in an immaterial space.
These second-order stabilizers arguably supplement, rather than fully support, the present stability. Each of Douthat's "four horsemen of decadence"—economic stagnation, collective infertility, political sclerosis, and cultural repetition—represents structural choices to sacrifice the future for the present. Weak innovation is driven by selecting short-term returns over investment, and by a publish-or-perish paradigm that makes careers but not discoveries. Collapsing fertility rates reflect deferred childbearing, spending the future social and personal benefits of children to ensure individuals' present stability. Sclerosis is produced by a political class that clings to its own power, at the cost of training a future elite. And cultural repetition is in large part a product of Hollywood playing it safe, churning out blockbuster pablum instead of investing in something that might fail.
In other words, what is meant by "decadence" is in part "risk-averseness." Where once we dared to do impossible things in the hope of a better tomorrow, now we pour everything possible into simply preserving the status quo.
The book's last section sees Douthat imagining ways we could break out of this feedback loop. Through three chapters, he considers a societal collapse driven by mass strife over immigration, a la Michel Houllebecq; a rising Africa driving "renaissance," and a return either to the will to power through renewed space exploration, or the will to meaning through a religious revival.
Even in the case of catastrophe, Douthat seems to see such regime-shattering possibilities as fundamentally positive. The return of history, even in its worst forms, might be better than the eternal now. As writer Tara Isabella Burton put it in her own review, "What we need, Douthat implies, is a renewed eschatological vision of what history, and what we, are for [emphasis in original]." It is little surprise that among Douthat's many positive reviewers is arch-techno-optimist Peter Thiel, who writes that, "If there is a problem with the book, it is that Douthat does not press his own theme [of returning to the future] urgently enough."
For all the book's many strengths, there is one question to which Douthat gives perhaps inadequate treatment: Why has decadence happened? It may simply be the case that it is a function of our stage of societal development—grow sufficiently wealthy, and you will become fat and lazy as well. But, insofar as we have chosen decadence through risk-averseness, we raise another question: Why work so hard to forestall the future?
Benjamin completed Theses on the Philosophy of History in 1940 in France, as Hitler's army was bearing down on Paris. A Jew who had already fled the Nazi regime once, Benjamin crossed into Spain with plans to make for America. Denied entry into Portugal, with the Gestapo close behind him, he committed suicide at the border.
Benjamin was a Marxist, and so ideologically bound to a utopian optimism as to technological change. It is therefore odd—and oft-remarked upon—that the theory of history presented in the Theses is so bleak. One cannot help but conclude that Benjamin's pessimism was a product of the historical circumstances that led to his death.
The space race was indisputably "the peak of human accomplishment and daring." But that heady era was itself the product of nearly a century of political, technological, and economic innovation which totally transformed our society, as often enabling great evil as good. Before it meant going to the moon, technological change meant the advent of mass managerial tools and ideologies integral to the rise of fascism. It is impossible to disconnect IBM from the Holocaust, with the cold calculation of one depending on the other. The space race, too, existed always under the pall of the Cold War, itself rendered so horrifying by the world-destroying nuclear power that technology had unlocked.
The point here is not techno-pessimism: We can agree that progress has produced innumerable benefits while also acknowledging its costs. But the Angelus Novus knows what a "renewed eschatological vision of history" looks like, and it is not necessarily pretty. There are plenty of technological horrors waiting for the end of the end of history: genetic research leading to mass cullings, the most comprehensive surveillance apparatuses ever devised, and new biological weapons of war, which even their creators may not be able to control. In light of all this, is it so odd that we have said, "No farther?"
The Decadent Society suggests that history has only ended because we have chosen for it to do so. Douthat is right that we can steer our way out of that pause toward a brighter future. But we ought not discount the real possibility that the winds of progress are simply producing "rubble on top of rubble," a catastrophe that will pile up whether we want it to or not.


freebeacon--2020-03-01--South Carolina Rides With Biden

South Carolina Rides With Biden

CHARLESTON , S.C.—Former vice president Joe Biden was the only major candidate left in South Carolina after polls closed on Saturday , and for good reason .
The 77-year-old father of up-and-coming Hollywood artist Hunter Biden was instantly declared the projected winner of the state 's Democratic primary .
This marks the first such victory of Biden 's decades-long career in politics , and it was a decisive one .
With 56 percent of precincts reporting , Biden held a commanding 30-point lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. Vt. ) , who was was projected to take second .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place with 12 percent , which is below the 15-percent threshold required to receive convention delegates — and he officially dropped out of the presidential contest on Saturday just hours after the polls closed .
The former VP will emerge as the only candidate who can realistically challenge Sanders for the Democratic nomination heading into Super Tuesday on March 3—when 14 states , including California and Texas , will head to the polls .
`` This is now a two-person race , '' said former Obama adviser David Plouffe on MSNBC .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
—the candidates who appeal most to wealthy white liberals who oppose racism—lagged behind Biden , Sanders , and Steyer , finishing in the single digits .
Both struggled to win over the African-American voters who made up a majority of primary voters in the state , according to exit polls .
There 's no good reason why either of them should n't follow Steyer 's lead and quit the race .
Biden 's victory in South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among black voters .
The former vice president also benefited from the well-timed endorsement of one of South Carolina 's senior statesmen , House Majority Whip James Clyburn .
Clyburn introduced Biden at a celebratory rally in Columbia on Saturday after sounding off on CNN about how he was n't going to `` sit back idly and watch people mishandle this campaign . ''
Addressing the crowd of supporters in Columbia after his victory was announced , Biden could hardly contain his glee at having accomplished something that even weirdos like John Edwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
`` All those of you who 've been knocked down , counted out , left behind , this is your campaign , '' said Biden , while setting up a contrast with Sanders heading into Super Tuesday .
`` The decisions Democrats make all across America the next few days will determine what this party stands for , what we believe , and what we 'll get done . ''
Biden still has his work cut out for him .
Absent a miracle on Super Tuesday , it is very likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates to ensure that no other candidate can surpass him .
In delegate-rich California , for example , Sanders currently leads the field by double digits , according to the RealClearPolitics polling average .
Sanders , addressing a crowd of supporters in Virginia on Saturday , congratulated Biden on his victory in South Carolina .
`` That will not be the only defeat , '' said Sanders .
`` There 's a lot of states in this country and nobody wins them all . ''
Earlier in the day , Sanders drew a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Boston , where he is poised to humiliate Warren by beating her in her own state on Super Tuesday .
President Donald J. Trump , an avid cable news consumer , weighed in on the South Carolina primary via the popular social networking website Twitter .
`` Sleepy Joe Biden 's victory in the South Carolina Democrat Primary should be the end of Mini Mike Bloomberg 's Joke of a campaign , '' the president tweeted .
`` After the worst debate performance in the history of presidential debates , Mini Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few voters , taking many away ! ''
As always , he makes a great point .
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has yet to appear on a primary ballot but has already spent more than $ 400 million on his campaign , will almost certainly siphon much-needed votes from Biden on Super Tuesday , which will only strengthen Sanders 's position as the Democratic Party frontrunner .

CHARLESTON, S.C.—Former vice president Joe Biden was the only major candidate left in South Carolina after polls closed on Saturday, and for good reason. The 77-year-old father of up-and-coming Hollywood artist Hunter Biden was instantly declared the projected winner of the state's Democratic primary.
This marks the first such victory of Biden's decades-long career in politics, and it was a decisive one. With 56 percent of precincts reporting, Biden held a commanding 30-point lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I. Vt.), who was was projected to take second. The generic billionaire Tom Steyer took third place with 12 percent, which is below the 15-percent threshold required to receive convention delegates -- and he officially dropped out of the presidential contest on Saturday just hours after the polls closed.
The former VP will emerge as the only candidate who can realistically challenge Sanders for the Democratic nomination heading into Super Tuesday on March 3—when 14 states, including California and Texas, will head to the polls. "This is now a two-person race," said former Obama adviser David Plouffe on MSNBC. "There's no doubt about that."
South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.)—the candidates who appeal most to wealthy white liberals who oppose racism—lagged behind Biden, Sanders, and Steyer, finishing in the single digits. Both struggled to win over the African-American voters who made up a majority of primary voters in the state, according to exit polls. There's no good reason why either of them shouldn't follow Steyer's lead and quit the race.
Biden's victory in South Carolina was largely expected, given his popularity among black voters. The former vice president also benefited from the well-timed endorsement of one of South Carolina's senior statesmen, House Majority Whip James Clyburn.
Clyburn introduced Biden at a celebratory rally in Columbia on Saturday after sounding off on CNN about how he wasn't going to "sit back idly and watch people mishandle this campaign."
Addressing the crowd of supporters in Columbia after his victory was announced, Biden could hardly contain his glee at having accomplished something that even weirdos like John Edwards and John Kerry managed to do before him. "All those of you who've been knocked down, counted out, left behind, this is your campaign," said Biden, while setting up a contrast with Sanders heading into Super Tuesday. "The decisions Democrats make all across America the next few days will determine what this party stands for, what we believe, and what we'll get done."
Biden still has his work cut out for him. Absent a miracle on Super Tuesday, it is very likely that Sanders will soon amass enough convention delegates to ensure that no other candidate can surpass him. In delegate-rich California, for example, Sanders currently leads the field by double digits, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.
Sanders, addressing a crowd of supporters in Virginia on Saturday, congratulated Biden on his victory in South Carolina. "That will not be the only defeat," said Sanders. "There's a lot of states in this country and nobody wins them all." Earlier in the day, Sanders drew a massive crowd of more than 10,000 supporters in Boston, where he is poised to humiliate Warren by beating her in her own state on Super Tuesday.
President Donald J. Trump, an avid cable news consumer, weighed in on the South Carolina primary via the popular social networking website Twitter. "Sleepy Joe Biden's victory in the South Carolina Democrat Primary should be the end of Mini Mike Bloomberg's Joke of a campaign," the president tweeted. "After the worst debate performance in the history of presidential debates, Mini Mike now has Biden split up his very few voters, taking many away!"
As always, he makes a great point. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has yet to appear on a primary ballot but has already spent more than $400 million on his campaign, will almost certainly siphon much-needed votes from Biden on Super Tuesday, which will only strengthen Sanders's position as the Democratic Party frontrunner.


freebeacon--2020-02-29--U.S., Taliban to Sign Landmark Peace Deal to End War in Afghanistan

The Trump administration is poised to sign a landmark peace accord Saturday morning with the Taliban terrorist organization more than 18 years after the United States first entered Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City .
In a move that U.S. officials say could end the nation 's longest war in history , the Trump administration announced it has reached a truce that will massively scale down the American military presence with the expectation of an eventual full withdrawal .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Doha , Qatar , this weekend to participate in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban and the Afghan government , which is still suffering from massive corruption and allegations the country 's most recent elections were rigged .
At the same time , Defense Secretary Mark Esper will be in the Afghan capital of Kabul for a separate ceremony marking the international community 's endorsement of the peace deal , according to U.S. officials .
Rumors of the long-percolating deal have been circulating in Washington , D.C. , for weeks , prompting a group of Republican members of Congress to petition the Trump administration against going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other critics say the Taliban can not be trusted to implement peace and that the moment U.S. forces vacate the country , terror forces will again rise to power .
The Trump administration had declared peace talks with the Taliban dead in September after abruptly canceling a meeting at Camp David between the United States and the Taliban .
However , channels between the two sides remained open , leading to Saturday 's announcement .
The Trump administration is now committed to giving the deal a shot .
The United States intends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14,000 troops to around 8,600 by the end of the year—a number administration officials insist is enough to do the job of keeping the fragile peace deal alive .
With this eventual withdrawal of U.S. military personnel , President Trump will be making good on one of his benchmark campaign promises—removing the United States from so-called endless wars .
`` This country is not in the best shape for 40 years ; they 've been suffering from conflict .
If we ripped everybody out overnight it would , almost in a certain sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said one senior Trump administration official intimately familiar with the peace deal .
The administration , which has been divided over the peace accord , remains clear-eyed about who they are dealing with , officials maintained .
In fact , talks with the Taliban have been taking place daily for months now .
This is how the United States was able to ink the first part of the peace accord—a `` reduction in violence '' agreement that has seen the two sides lay down arms this past week .
If the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring the Afghan parties together for the final stage of peace talks in March .
Throughout the process , support from the international community has been crucial , including from typical foes such as China and Russia , officials said .
`` There 's been broad support for what we 're trying to do , '' according to the senior administration official , who briefed reporters on background .
`` Everybody has the same goals .
No one wants to see the return of the Islamic Emirate . ''
Officials further acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan .
`` The 30,000-foot conclusion by all parties is that a military solution is not possible without endless amounts of resources , '' the official said .
`` Everybody decided the best way forward was a political settlement , rather than a military solution .
The Taliban has not been defeated .
They represent a portion of Afghan society '' that must be included in discussions .
U.S. officials also pushed back against criticism that the signing ceremonies represent a photo opportunity and little more .
`` This is not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official said .
`` This is historic .
We have worked out a deal with them where they make commitments to us on counterterror that matter to us . ''
This includes cracking down on the remnants of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and giving up the near-constant barrage of terror attacks .
`` We made commitments to them .
If they fulfill their commitments , we 're prepared to proceed with pulling out our troops .
We never wanted a permanent '' presence in Afghanistan , the official said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole new stage of challenges we 're launching here . ''
However , Afghanistan `` is not going to become Switzerland overnight , '' the official conceded .

The Trump administration is poised to sign a landmark peace accord Saturday morning with the Taliban terrorist organization more than 18 years after the United States first entered Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
In a move that U.S. officials say could end the nation's longest war in history, the Trump administration announced it has reached a truce that will massively scale down the American military presence with the expectation of an eventual full withdrawal.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Doha, Qatar, this weekend to participate in a public peace deal signing with members of the Taliban and the Afghan government, which is still suffering from massive corruption and allegations the country's most recent elections were rigged.
At the same time, Defense Secretary Mark Esper will be in the Afghan capital of Kabul for a separate ceremony marking the international community's endorsement of the peace deal, according to U.S. officials.
Rumors of the long-percolating deal have been circulating in Washington, D.C., for weeks, prompting a group of Republican members of Congress to petition the Trump administration against going through with the agreement. They and other critics say the Taliban cannot be trusted to implement peace and that the moment U.S. forces vacate the country, terror forces will again rise to power.
The Trump administration had declared peace talks with the Taliban dead in September after abruptly canceling a meeting at Camp David between the United States and the Taliban. However, channels between the two sides remained open, leading to Saturday's announcement.
The Trump administration is now committed to giving the deal a shot. The United States intends to scale down its troop presence from some 14,000 troops to around 8,600 by the end of the year—a number administration officials insist is enough to do the job of keeping the fragile peace deal alive.
With this eventual withdrawal of U.S. military personnel, President Trump will be making good on one of his benchmark campaign promises—removing the United States from so-called endless wars.
"This country is not in the best shape for 40 years; they've been suffering from conflict. If we ripped everybody out overnight it would, almost in a certain sense, threaten everything we've done," said one senior Trump administration official intimately familiar with the peace deal.
The administration, which has been divided over the peace accord, remains clear-eyed about who they are dealing with, officials maintained.
In fact, talks with the Taliban have been taking place daily for months now. This is how the United States was able to ink the first part of the peace accord—a "reduction in violence" agreement that has seen the two sides lay down arms this past week.
If the peace holds, the United States hopes to bring the Afghan parties together for the final stage of peace talks in March.
Throughout the process, support from the international community has been crucial, including from typical foes such as China and Russia, officials said.
"There's been broad support for what we're trying to do," according to the senior administration official, who briefed reporters on background. "Everybody has the same goals. No one wants to see the return of the Islamic Emirate."
Officials further acknowledged that there is no military path to victory in Afghanistan.
"The 30,000-foot conclusion by all parties is that a military solution is not possible without endless amounts of resources," the official said. "Everybody decided the best way forward was a political settlement, rather than a military solution. The Taliban has not been defeated. They represent a portion of Afghan society" that must be included in discussions.
U.S. officials also pushed back against criticism that the signing ceremonies represent a photo opportunity and little more.
"This is not just optics in any way," the official said. "This is historic. We have worked out a deal with them where they make commitments to us on counterterror that matter to us."
This includes cracking down on the remnants of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and giving up the near-constant barrage of terror attacks.
"We made commitments to them. If they fulfill their commitments, we're prepared to proceed with pulling out our troops. We never wanted a permanent" presence in Afghanistan, the official said. "It's just the beginning. It's a whole new stage of challenges we're launching here."
However, Afghanistan "is not going to become Switzerland overnight," the official conceded.


freebeacon--2020-02-29--Chris Matthews Confuses Tim Scott and Jaime Harrison

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews on Friday confused Sen. Tim Scott ( R. , S.C. ) with Jaime Harrison , a Democrat running to challenge Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R. , S.C. ) for his Senate seat .
Matthews was set to interview Harrison and the network showed a clip of Scott standing next to Graham at President Trump 's rally .
`` Jaime , I see you next to the guy you 're going to beat there , maybe , maybe , maybe , Lindsey Graham , '' Matthews said .
Both Scott and Harrison are African American .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other senator , Tim Scott , what am I saying ?
Big mistake , mistaken identity , '' Matthews said .
`` Tell me how you 're going to beat Lindsey . ''
`` Everybody knows Lindsey but everybody does n't like Lindsey , '' Harrison responded .
At the end of the show , Matthews apologized for the mix-up , saying he thought it was a `` candidate pose '' with Graham and Harrison standing next to each other .
Media Research Center 's Rich Noyes first noticed the mix-up on @ @

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews on Friday confused Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.) with Jaime Harrison, a Democrat running to challenge Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) for his Senate seat.
Matthews was set to interview Harrison and the network showed a clip of Scott standing next to Graham at President Trump's rally.
"Jaime, I see you next to the guy you're going to beat there, maybe, maybe, maybe, Lindsey Graham," Matthews said. Both Scott and Harrison are African American.
Matthews's two guests, Adrienne Elrod and Trymaine Lee, corrected Matthews immediately.
"Tim Scott, Tim Scott," Lee said.
"Jaime?" Matthews said.
"Tim Scott," Elrod said.
"Who's that?" Matthews then asked.
"Tim Scott," Lee repeated.
"I'm sorry? Oh it's the other senator, Tim Scott, what am I saying? Big mistake, mistaken identity," Matthews said. "Tell me how you're going to beat Lindsey."
"Everybody knows Lindsey but everybody doesn't like Lindsey," Harrison responded.
At the end of the show, Matthews apologized for the mix-up, saying he thought it was a "candidate pose" with Graham and Harrison standing next to each other.
Media Research Center's Rich Noyes first noticed the mix-up on Twitter.