Beacon Extra

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THAT ’ S RICH … `` Bloomberg Once Called Excessive Spending on Campaign Ads ‘ Obscene ’ , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : [ Michael ] Bloomberg dismissed 2001 reports that he would spend upward of $ 30 million on his initial run for mayor in New York City .
`` At some point , you start to look obscene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There 's a limited amount of ad time you can buy .
It becomes dysfunctional ; you annoy people with ads . ''
… The New York City business mogul spent a combined $ 261 million on his three mayoral campaigns , a figure he has now eclipsed in just the first three months of his presidential campaign .
SNEAKY PETE … `` Buttigieg and super PAC improperly coordinated on Nevada ads , watchdog group says , '' via WAPO : In a complaint filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Buttigieg ’ s campaign improperly accepted more than $ 639,000 in contributions in violation of federal rules barring candidates from coordinating with independent groups that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money .
WE DON ’ T KNOW HIM … `` Obama Allies Push Back on Michael Bloomberg Ads Framing Mayor as Obama Pal , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : `` That is not how I remember it , '' former senior Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer said on MSNBC .
`` I do remember that 2012 endorsement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say it was damning with faint praise would be generous… .
I think these ads tell a story that is belied by the reality of that relationship . ''
ARROWS SHOT … `` Warren : Bernie Is Responsible for His Bros , '' by WFB ’ s Josh Christenson : Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( Mass . )
on Monday faulted Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) for his supporters ' attacks against a Nevada culinary workers union , saying they were building `` a foundation of hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … `` Fascist Mussolini shirt pictured in Bernie Sanders campaign mailer , '' via EXAMINER : A man pictured in the Sanders campaign leaflet sent to Nevada voters by mail ahead of the state 's Feb. 22 Democratic caucuses wears a black shirt with white lettering saying , `` SI SI SI '' ( translating to `` YES YES YES '' ) , and a white face under his tan suit jacket .
The image is a recreation of propaganda that pictured a large Mussolini stone face on the facade of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palazzo Braschi .
WFB ABROAD … `` Pompeo Says Trump Travel Ban Will Not Impede U.S. Security , Trade Pacts With Africa , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : The Trump administration 's newly implemented restrictions on travel to the United States from key African countries will not interfere with efforts by top U.S. officials to boost America 's standing in the region , particularly on security and trade fronts , according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
CHICOMS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE … `` State Department Names Five Chinese Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' via WSJ : The State Department said Tuesday that the U.S. operations of five Chinese news organizations—Xinhua News Agency , China Radio International , China Global Television Network and the distributors of China Daily and People ’ s Daily—will be considered foreign diplomatic missions .
RELATED … `` China Violates Disclosure Law to Publish Propaganda in NY Times , WaPo , '' by WFB ’ s Yuichiro Kakutani .
SECRET AGENT MAN … `` Chris Murphy Admits He Secretly Met With Iranian Foreign Minister , '' by WFB ’ s Alex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's rhetoric during the Obama administration when 47 Republican senators sent a letter to the Iranian regime warning that the Senate had the power to reject any nuclear deal .
At the time , Murphy said the letter was `` undermining the authority of the president '' and called on Republicans to respect `` the difference between what the executive branch and what the legislative branch is supposed to be doing surrounding delicate negotiations . ''
CNN FAINTS … `` Fox Has Been `` More Fair '' : Why Bernie Sanders ’ Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via VANITY FAIR : The anti-Bernie highlight reel grew in recent weeks , with some moments verging on parody .
Joy Reid hosted a body-language expert who said Sanders ’ s posture revealed that he was `` lying '' about a recent dispute with Elizabeth Warren … '' That ’ s saying something , '' [ campaign manager Faiz Shakir ] said .
`` Fox is often yelling about Bernie Sanders ’ s socialism , but they ’ re still giving our campaign the opportunity to make our case in a fair manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the left and is constantly undermining the Bernie Sanders campaign . ''
BEST PRESS STRATEGY LAWYERS CAN BUY … `` Wife of ex-Bloomberg News reporter says Bloomberg tried to ‘ ruin ’ family after she spoke out against China , '' via EXAMINER : Leta Hong Fincher , whose husband , Michael Forsythe , now writes for the New York Times , accused the former New York City mayor of trying to ruin her family financially after she revealed that they had been threatened by Chinese authorities over negative coverage about Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , Forsythe had been working on a story similar to the story about Xi ’ s family raking in cash .
Just before the story was set to publish , Bloomberg knifed the story over fears that they would be `` kicked out of China . ''
KRUG-SPLAINED … `` Paul Krugman Denies Bernie Sanders ’ s Right to Self-Identify , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : For the entirety of his 49-year career in politics , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) has chosen to identify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination for president , smug New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wants to deny him the right to his own identity .
Krugman 's recent column for the Times— '' Bernie Sanders Is n't a Socialist '' —is a typically condescending and incoherent diatribe that relies on factual inaccuracies to support an underwhelming argument .
WHAT2 WATCH4 IN TONIGHT ’ S DEBATE … `` BLOOMBERG BOX WATCH : ‘ Mini Mike ’ Qualifies for Democratic Debate in Nevada , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City mayor trying to become the shortest individual elected president since the five-foot-seven William McKinley in 1896 , will finally get the chance to stand up to his Democratic rivals on a debate stage .
It remains to be seen what sort of contraption the multibillionaire will deploy in an attempt to conceal the truth about his diminutive stature at Wednesday 's debate in Las Vegas … The Democratic National Committee changed the debate 's requirements specifically to ensure Bloomberg could participate .
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--2020-02-19--Pompeo: U.S. Won’t Stand By as Iran Continues Attacks on American Outposts in Iraq

The United States will not stand by without taking action in response to Iran 's ongoing support for attacks on American outposts in Iraq , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday .
In the past few days , Iraqi terror groups likely backed by Iran have launched yet another series of strikes on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq .
The latest round of missiles reportedly landed inside the U.S. Embassy compound , while at least one other struck near a coalition base .
Responding to questions from the Washington Free Beacon on his plane en route to Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not allow Iranian-backed strikes to become the new normal for American outposts in war-torn Iraq .
`` I never broadcast what our response may be in advance , but we 're mindful that it can not become ordinary course that the Iranians through their proxy forces in Iraq are putting the lives of Americans at risk , '' Pompeo said .
`` This ca n't be ordinary , this ca n't be routine .
There , in the end , has to be accountability connected to those very serious attacks . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups orchestrating these strikes prompted the Trump administration in January to kill top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani , a move that has sparked a broadening conflict between the United States and Iran .
Pompeo said the U.S. government continues to investigate the latest round of strikes to determine who exactly launched them .
Neither U.S. nor Iraq officials have gone so far as to identify Iran as being behind the attack , but Tehran 's financial and military support for local militia groups is well known .
`` We 're working with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep our embassy and our military facilities secure , '' Pompeo said , expressing regret that `` they repeatedly have not been able to achieve that . ''
`` We 're looking to not only apprehend those who conducted this attack but demanding they still do more work , '' he added .
Pompeo confirmed that that there were no American injuries or deaths as a result of the latest missile salvo .
The secretary of state also expressed his administration 's continued willingness to engage directly with Iran for talks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anytime .
But they 've got to fundamentally change their behavior .
That 's what we 've asked for consistently for three years of the Trump administration , '' Pompeo said .
Iran must end its continued buildup of its nuclear weapons program , including the enrichment of uranium to levels prohibited under the landmark nuclear accord and resulting United Nations resolutions .
`` You ca n't build out your nuclear program , you ca n't foment terror around the world , '' Pompeo said .
Pompeo also called on Iran to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as medium- and short-range ballistic missiles .
These programs also are sanctioned under U.N. resolutions .
`` They 've got to get the missile program back in a place where they 're permitted to defend themselves , but no more than that , '' Pompeo said .
`` When they 're prepared to come to the table and talk about those , so are we , '' he added .
`` We 're standing by .
We 're not anxious .
We 're not rushed .
The pressure campaign continues .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's diplomatic pressure , it 's isolation through diplomacy as well . ''
Once in Saudi Arabia , Pompeo will spend several days meeting with the country 's leaders primarily about Iran .
The issue of human rights and the economic partnership with the United States also will feature into the meetings .
From Saudi Arabia , Pompeo will travel to Oman , another Gulf nation that plays a central role in the U.S. fight against terrorism and Iranian aggression .

The United States will not stand by without taking action in response to Iran's ongoing support for attacks on American outposts in Iraq, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.
In the past few days, Iraqi terror groups likely backed by Iran have launched yet another series of strikes on the U.S. embassy in Iraq. The latest round of missiles reportedly landed inside the U.S. embassy compound, while at least one other struck near a coalition base.
Responding to questions from the Washington Free Beacon on his plane en route to Saudi Arabia, Pompeo said the Trump administration will not allow Iranian-backed strikes to become the new normal for American outposts in war-torn Iraq.
"I never broadcast what our response may be in advance, but we're mindful that it cannot become ordinary course that the Iranians through their proxy forces in Iraq are putting the lives of Americans at risk," Pompeo said. "This can't be ordinary, this can't be routine. There, in the end, has to be accountability connected to those very serious attacks."
Iran's blatant support for the terror groups orchestrating these strikes prompted the Trump administration in January to kill top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, a move that has sparked a broadening conflict between the United States and Iran.
Pompeo said the U.S. government continues to investigate the latest round of strikes to determine who exactly launched them. Neither U.S. nor Iraqi officials have gone so far as to identify Iran as being behind the attack, but Tehran's financial and military support for local militia groups is well known.
"We're working with the Iraqi government. They have a responsibility to keep our embassy and our military facilities secure," Pompeo said, expressing regret that "they repeatedly have not been able to achieve that."
"We're looking to not only apprehend those who conducted this attack but demanding they still do more work," he added.
Pompeo confirmed that that there were no American injuries or deaths as a result of the latest missile salvo.
The secretary of state also expressed his administration's continued willingness to engage directly with Iran for talks.
"We're prepared to talk at anytime. But they've got to fundamentally change their behavior. That's what we've asked for consistently for three years of the Trump administration," Pompeo said.
Iran must end its continued buildup of its nuclear weapons program, including the enrichment of uranium to levels prohibited under the landmark nuclear accord and resulting United Nations resolutions.
"You can't build out your nuclear program, you can't foment terror around the world," Pompeo said.
Pompeo also called on Iran to stop building up its offensive missile capabilities, such as medium- and short-range ballistic missiles. These programs also are sanctioned under U.N. resolutions.
"They've got to get the missile program back in a place where they're permitted to defend themselves, but no more than that," Pompeo said.
"When they're prepared to come to the table and talk about those, so are we," he added. "We're standing by. We're not anxious. We're not rushed. The pressure campaign continues. It's not just an economic pressure campaign, it's diplomatic pressure, it's isolation through diplomacy as well."
Once in Saudi Arabia, Pompeo will spend several days meeting with the country's leaders primarily about Iran. The issue of human rights and the economic partnership with the United States also will feature into the meetings.
From Saudi Arabia, Pompeo will travel to Oman, another Gulf nation that plays a central role in the U.S. fight against terrorism and Iranian aggression.


Beacon Extra 2/18/20

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 .
VA DEMS CAN ’ T PULL THE TRIGGER … `` Virginia Assault Weapon Ban , Magazine Confiscation Defeated in Senate , '' by WFB ’ s Stephen Gutowski : The crowd of gun-rights advocates who had filled the committee room to capacity began to cheer as the bill was defeated .
Their cheers , combined with those of the overflow crowd in the hallway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that senators briefly paused the meeting .
BLOOMBERG KNOWS HOW TO DIG A HOLE … `` Bloomberg implied farming does n't take intelligence in 2016 comments , '' via FOX NEWS : Presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to belittle both farmers and factory workers in 2016 comments made at a university forum … '' I could teach anybody , even people in this room , no offense intended , to be a farmer , '' Bloomberg said .
`` It 's a process .
You dig a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you put dirt on top , add water , up comes the corn .
You could learn that . ''
DEMS IN DISARRAY … `` Campaigns warn of chaos ahead of the Nevada caucuses , '' via WAPO : Campaigns said they still have not gotten the party to offer even a basic explanation of how key parts of the process will work .
Volunteers are reporting problems with the technology that ’ s been deployed at the last minute to make the vote count smoother … '' It feels like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up as they go along , '' said one Democratic presidential aide .
AND HE ’ S THE ‘ MODERATE ’ CANDIDATE … `` For first time , Biden calls Obama deportations ‘ big mistake ' , '' via AP : Going further than he ever has in expressing regret over Obama administration immigration policy , presidential candidate Joe Biden called it a `` big mistake '' to have deported hundreds of thousands of people without criminal records .
… Biden stuck to his defense that the Obama administration did not `` put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done .
[ Jorge ] Ramos showed Biden a photo of an unaccompanied minor who was apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border and detained during Obama 's second term .
SENDING THE BOMBERS … `` B-52 Bomber Spotted Flying Low Just Off Somali Coast , '' via THE DRIVE : A B-52H bomber belonging to the U.S. Air Force has been photographed flying low [ on Feb. 14 ] near the Somali island of Koyama .
According to a local photographer , the bomber , which appeared at around 2:30 PM local time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the locals … B-52Hs are currently forward-deployed to Diego Garcia , America 's outpost in the Indian Ocean .
As we reported at the time , the Pentagon planned to send six of the bombers there as a contingency for a potential conflict with Iran .
WFB ABROAD … `` U.S .
Vows to Continue Backing Fight Against Islamic Terror in Africa , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : The United States is committed to sending counter-terrorism resources to Africa to aid the continent ’ s ongoing fight against radical Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo … Pompeo ’ s comments are being viewed as a dose of much-needed reassurance to African nations concerned about America ’ s ongoing commitment to their safety and security .
APPLE POISONED … `` Apple to Fall Short of Projected Revenue Due to Coronavirus , '' via WSJ : Apple Inc. AAPL 0.02 % became the first major U.S. company to say it won ’ t meet its revenue projections for the current quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak , which it said had limited iPhone production for worldwide sales and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
GRAY LADY RED-FACED … `` New 1776 Project Aims to Counter ‘ Lethal ’ Narrative of 1619 Project , '' by WFB ’ s Cole Carnick : Bob Woodson , a leader in the African-American community who has spent his career fighting to stave off the cycle of poverty and crime , argued on Friday that the 1619 Project ’ s message—that life outcomes for African Americans are shaped by the history of slavery and Jim Crow—is a `` lethal '' narrative that perpetuates a culture of victimhood in the African-American community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Stelter : Was I Stupid to Take Avenatti Seriously as Possible 2020 Candidate ?
, '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : `` Give me a media critique , '' [ CNN media correspondent Brian ] Stelter said .
`` Was that stupid on my part ?
What do you make of how Avenatti was covered by CNN and MSNBC ? ''
… Stelter was hardly alone in boosting Avenatti .
Panelists on MSNBC 's Deadline : White House said the political novice should be given attention as a possible 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
THEY ’ RE STILL CASHING THE CHECKS THOUGH … `` Bloomberg News ’ s Dilemma : How to Cover a Boss Seeking the Presidency , '' via NYT : Journalists who hoped [ Michael ] Bloomberg ’ s candidacy would prove short-lived have watched him vault to the upper tier of the Democratic race … In 2018 , Mr. Bloomberg told an interviewer : `` I don ’ t want the reporters I ’ m paying to write a bad story about me . ''
That policy proved awkward during Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York City … Now it is bordering on untenable , according to interviews with half a dozen Bloomberg journalists who requested anonymity .
EVEN LENIN PANDERED … `` How Bernie Sanders Fell in Line on Gun Control , '' by WFB ’ S Stephen Gutowski : The independent Vermont senator , who long took moderate positions on gun control , is now fully embracing left-wing positions on the issue as he works to become the Democratic Party 's standard bearer in 2020 … '' Bernie shifted with the Democratic Party ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professor Larry Sabato … said in an email .
`` And he saw in 2016 his gun record could be a real detriment to his presidential ambitions . ''
WATER ALSO WET … `` ANALYSIS : Political Pundits Have No Idea What They ’ re Talking About , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : From the perspective of voters who watch cable news and take seriously the so-called analysis and punditry they hear from so-called political experts in the media , [ Elizabeth ] Warren 's downfall is a shocking development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upper-class residents of New York City and Washington , D.C. , to assess the hearts and minds of average Americans .
No one in the political punditry business would ever admit this , however .
If it were true , what would be the point of their careers ?
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 2 .
Welcome back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ @ @

Freedom rings in Virginia, and we show how Bernie fell into line on guns
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.
VA DEMS CAN’T PULL THE TRIGGER … "Virginia Assault Weapon Ban, Magazine Confiscation Defeated in Senate," by WFB’s Stephen Gutowski: The crowd of gun-rights advocates who had filled the committee room to capacity began to cheer as the bill was defeated. Their cheers, combined with those of the overflow crowd in the hallway outside the meeting, were loud enough that senators briefly paused the meeting.
BLOOMBERG KNOWS HOW TO DIG A HOLE … "Bloomberg implied farming doesn't take intelligence in 2016 comments," via FOX NEWS: Presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to belittle both farmers and factory workers in 2016 comments made at a university forum …
"I could teach anybody, even people in this room, no offense intended, to be a farmer," Bloomberg said. "It's a process. You dig a hole, you put a seed in, you put dirt on top, add water, up comes the corn. You could learn that."
DEMS IN DISARRAY … "Campaigns warn of chaos ahead of the Nevada caucuses," via WAPO: Campaigns said they still have not gotten the party to offer even a basic explanation of how key parts of the process will work. Volunteers are reporting problems with the technology that’s been deployed at the last minute to make the vote count smoother …
"It feels like the [state party is] making it up as they go along," said one Democratic presidential aide.
AND HE’S THE ‘MODERATE’ CANDIDATE … "For first time, Biden calls Obama deportations 'big mistake'," via AP: Going further than he ever has in expressing regret over Obama administration immigration policy, presidential candidate Joe Biden called it a "big mistake" to have deported hundreds of thousands of people without criminal records. …
Biden stuck to his defense that the Obama administration did not "put kids in cages," as Trump has done. [Jorge] Ramos showed Biden a photo of an unaccompanied minor who was apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border and detained during Obama's second term.
SENDING THE BOMBERS … "B-52 Bomber Spotted Flying Low Just Off Somali Coast," via THE DRIVE: A B-52H bomber belonging to the U.S. Air Force has been photographed flying low [on Feb. 14] near the Somali island of Koyama. According to a local photographer, the bomber, which appeared at around 2:30 PM local time, caused some confusion and concern among the locals …
B-52Hs are currently forward-deployed to Diego Garcia, America's outpost in the Indian Ocean. As we reported at the time, the Pentagon planned to send six of the bombers there as a contingency for a potential conflict with Iran.
WFB ABROAD … "U.S. Vows to Continue Backing Fight Against Islamic Terror in Africa," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: The United States is committed to sending counter-terrorism resources to Africa to aid the continent’s ongoing fight against radical Islamic forces, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo …
Pompeo’s comments are being viewed as a dose of much-needed reassurance to African nations concerned about America’s ongoing commitment to their safety and security.
APPLE POISONED … "Apple to Fall Short of Projected Revenue Due to Coronavirus," via WSJ: Apple Inc. AAPL 0.02% became the first major U.S. company to say it won’t meet its revenue projections for the current quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak, which it said had limited iPhone production for worldwide sales and curtailed demand for its products in China.
GRAY LADY RED-FACED … "New 1776 Project Aims to Counter ‘Lethal’ Narrative of 1619 Project," by WFB’s Cole Carnick: Bob Woodson, a leader in the African-American community who has spent his career fighting to stave off the cycle of poverty and crime, argued on Friday that the 1619 Project’s message—that life outcomes for African Americans are shaped by the history of slavery and Jim Crow—is a "lethal" narrative that perpetuates a culture of victimhood in the African-American community.
WELL, SINCE YOU ASKED … "Stelter: Was I Stupid to Take Avenatti Seriously as Possible 2020 Candidate?," by WFB’s David Rutz: "Give me a media critique," [CNN media correspondent Brian] Stelter said. "Was that stupid on my part? What do you make of how Avenatti was covered by CNN and MSNBC?" …
Stelter was hardly alone in boosting Avenatti. Panelists on MSNBC's Deadline: White House said the political novice should be given attention as a possible 2020 hopeful because he was a "fighter."
THEY’RE STILL CASHING THE CHECKS THOUGH … "Bloomberg News’s Dilemma: How to Cover a Boss Seeking the Presidency," via NYT: Journalists who hoped [Michael] Bloomberg’s candidacy would prove short-lived have watched him vault to the upper tier of the Democratic race … In 2018, Mr. Bloomberg told an interviewer: "I don’t want the reporters I’m paying to write a bad story about me."
That policy proved awkward during Mr. Bloomberg’s three terms as mayor of New York City … Now it is bordering on untenable, according to interviews with half a dozen Bloomberg journalists who requested anonymity.
EVEN LENIN PANDERED … "How Bernie Sanders Fell in Line on Gun Control," by WFB’S Stephen Gutowski: The independent Vermont senator, who long took moderate positions on gun control, is now fully embracing left-wing positions on the issue as he works to become the Democratic Party's standard bearer in 2020 …
"Bernie shifted with the Democratic Party (even as an independent)," Professor Larry Sabato … said in an email. "And he saw in 2016 his gun record could be a real detriment to his presidential ambitions."
WATER ALSO WET … "ANALYSIS: Political Pundits Have No Idea What They’re Talking About," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: From the perspective of voters who watch cable news and take seriously the so-called analysis and punditry they hear from so-called political experts in the media, [Elizabeth] Warren's downfall is a shocking development …
Maybe it's just difficult for upper-class residents of New York City and Washington, D.C., to assess the hearts and minds of average Americans. No one in the political punditry business would ever admit this, however. If it were true, what would be the point of their careers?
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 2. Welcome back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
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freebeacon--2020-02-19--MSNBC Analyst: Sanders Hasn’t Dealt With His Supporters’ Sexism and Racism

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) has `` never adequately addressed '' his supporters ' online harassment of his critics , according to MSNBC analyst Zerlina Maxwell .
`` I think it matters because some of the attacks are very tinged with sexism and racism , '' Maxwell said Tuesday night on Hardball with Chris Matthews .
`` He 's never adequately addressed the harassment online that his supporters absolutely are participating in , including some members of his staff , '' she continued .
`` And so he needs to get that into check in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are people that are being harassed , and they 're not likely to vote for him when they are the target of harassment . ''
Maxwell said that she has been personally attacked by Sanders supporters for her criticism of the presidential hopeful .
She pointed out that Sanders 's support is limited , and that he has not been able to attract new voters to the polls in early states .
`` He 's going to have to pull from the existing pool of voters or register new ones in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition , '' she said .
Daily Beast political editor Sam Stein said he spoke to New Hampshire voters who were considering Sanders but were hesitant because of `` the culture around him . ''
Stein described the culture as a `` fandom that borders on angry sometimes . ''
`` He and Elizabeth Warren had that fight over who was saying what about a female running for president , '' Stein said .
`` His supporters responded with vitriol .
They put snake emojis into everything , they called her a rat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're an Elizabeth Warren supporter who is looking for another candidate if she does drop out , that 's not a great sell .
You do n't want to be part of that crap . ''

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has "never adequately addressed" his supporters' online harassment of his critics, according to MSNBC analyst Zerlina Maxwell.
"I think it matters because some of the attacks are very tinged with sexism and racism," Maxwell said Tuesday night on Hardball with Chris Matthews.
"He's never adequately addressed the harassment online that his supporters absolutely are participating in, including some members of his staff," she continued. "And so he needs to get that into check in order to attract new voters to his coalition because there are people that are being harassed, and they're not likely to vote for him when they are the target of harassment."
Maxwell said that she has been personally attacked by Sanders supporters for her criticism of the presidential hopeful. She pointed out that Sanders's support is limited, and that he has not been able to attract new voters to the polls in early states.
"He's going to have to pull from the existing pool of voters or register new ones in time for the upcoming states to grow his coalition," she said.
Daily Beast political editor Sam Stein said he spoke to New Hampshire voters who were considering Sanders but were hesitant because of "the culture around him."
Stein described the culture as a "fandom that borders on angry sometimes."
"He and Elizabeth Warren had that fight over who was saying what about a female running for president," Stein said. "His supporters responded with vitriol. They put snake emojis into everything, they called her a rat, a back stabber. If you're an Elizabeth Warren supporter who is looking for another candidate if she does drop out, that's not a great sell. You don't want to be part of that crap."


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bloomberg Claims Chinese Pollution Has Slowed, India ‘Even Bigger Problem’ for Climate

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg downplayed China 's role as a global polluter during Wednesday 's Democratic debate , inaccurately labeling India `` an even bigger problem . ''
`` Mayor Bloomberg , your business is heavily invested in China … the number one producer in the world of carbon emissions , '' debate moderator Lester Holt said .
`` How far would you go to force China to reduce those emissions and tackle the climate crisis ? ''
Bloomberg criticized President Donald Trump 's ongoing trade war with China and emphasized the importance of diplomatic negotiations before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's defense .
`` In all fairness , the Chinese have slowed down , '' Bloomberg said .
`` It 's India that is an even bigger problem .
But it is an enormous problem .
Nobody 's doing anything about it . ''
Data on global carbon emissions tell a different story .
Since the mid-2000s , China 's mass industrialization has made it the world 's leading producer of CO2 , generating 28 percent of global carbon dioxide in 2017 alone .
That share has leveled off in recent years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 slowed economic growth and added renewables helped temper China 's carbon dioxide output .
But the country is still building new coal-fired plants—the same power sources Bloomberg has campaigned to close in the United States and Europe .
China remains well ahead of India , which was responsible for an estimated 7 percent of the world 's CO2 production in 2017 .
The IEA noted that while there is continued demand for fossil fuels in India , it was partially offset by `` strong renewables growth , '' suggesting India is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
Bloomberg 's campaign did not respond to a request for clarification as to how he estimated that India was an `` even bigger problem . ''
Bloomberg 's business ventures in China are extensive and could `` create unprecedented entanglements if he is elected president , '' according to the Washington Post .
Hong Kong and mainland China account for an estimated 5 percent of Bloomberg L.P. 's revenue , and his efforts to allow U.S. companies to trade in Chinese currency may have funneled up to $ 150 billion into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership of the Chinese Communist Party on more than just climate issues .
In a recent interview , he defended Chinese president Xi Jinping as `` not a dictator , '' claiming the current government has the backing of `` the will of the majority of its people . ''
Those financial entanglements have in the past led to Bloomberg 's business bending the knee to the Chinese authorities .
In 2012 , Bloomberg News reported extensively on then-vice president Xi 's family finances , prompting the government to place restrictions on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation written after Xi 's elevation to the presidency was not published—a Bloomberg editor told Hong Kong reporters , `` If we run the story , we ’ ll be kicked out of China , '' according to the Post .
Bloomberg , then mayor of New York City , denied involvement with the affair .
In a 2014 interview , however , when asked if Bloomberg News limits reporters in China , he said , `` In China , they have rules about what you can publish .
We follow those rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules , you ’ re not in the country . ''

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg downplayed China's role as a global polluter during Wednesday's Democratic debate, inaccurately labeling India "an even bigger problem."
"Mayor Bloomberg, your business is heavily invested in China ... the number one producer in the world of carbon emissions," debate moderator Lester Holt said. "How far would you go to force China to reduce those emissions and tackle the climate crisis?"
Bloomberg criticized President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war with China and emphasized the importance of diplomatic negotiations before taking the opportunity to leap to China's defense.
"In all fairness, the Chinese have slowed down," Bloomberg said. "It's India that is an even bigger problem. But it is an enormous problem. Nobody's doing anything about it."
Data on global carbon emissions tell a different story. Since the mid-2000s, China's mass industrialization has made it the world's leading producer of CO2, generating 28 percent of global carbon dioxide in 2017 alone. That share has leveled off in recent years, and the International Energy Agency reported that in 2019 slowed economic growth and added renewables helped temper China's carbon dioxide output. But the country is still building new coal-fired plants—the same power sources Bloomberg has campaigned to close in the United States and Europe.
China remains well ahead of India, which was responsible for an estimated 7 percent of the world's CO2 production in 2017. The IEA noted that while there is continued demand for fossil fuels in India, it was partially offset by "strong renewables growth," suggesting India is unlikely to catch up to China anytime soon.
Bloomberg's campaign did not respond to a request for clarification as to how he estimated that India was an "even bigger problem."
Bloomberg's business ventures in China are extensive and could "create unprecedented entanglements if he is elected president," according to the Washington Post. Hong Kong and mainland China account for an estimated 5 percent of Bloomberg L.P.'s revenue, and his efforts to allow U.S. companies to trade in Chinese currency may have funneled up to $150 billion into the country.
Bloomberg has defended the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party on more than just climate issues. In a recent interview, he defended Chinese president Xi Jinping as "not a dictator," claiming the current government has the backing of "the will of the majority of its people."
Those financial entanglements have in the past led to Bloomberg's business bending the knee to the Chinese authorities. In 2012, Bloomberg News reported extensively on then-vice president Xi's family finances, prompting the government to place restrictions on the company. In response, a followup investigation written after Xi's elevation to the presidency was not published—a Bloomberg editor told Hong Kong reporters, "If we run the story, we’ll be kicked out of China," according to the Post.
Bloomberg, then mayor of New York City, denied involvement with the affair. In a 2014 interview, however, when asked if Bloomberg News limits reporters in China, he said, "In China, they have rules about what you can publish. We follow those rules. If you don't follow the rules, you’re not in the country."


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Georgia, Backed by U.S. and Britain, Blames Russia for ‘Paralyzing’ Cyberattack

TBILISI ( Reuters ) – Britain and the United States joined Georgia on Thursday in blaming Russia for a large-scale cyber attack last year that knocked thousands of Georgian websites offline and disrupted national television broadcasts .
State , private and media websites were taken out by the attack on Oct. 28 , including those belonging to the Georgian president ’ s office and two private television stations .
Georgia ’ s foreign ministry said the cyberattack , which defaced websites to display an image of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili , was planned and carried out by the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to harm Georgian citizens and government structures by disrupting and paralyzing the functionality of various organizations , thereby causing anxiety among the general public , '' said foreign ministry spokesman Vladimer Konstantinidi .
In supporting statements , Britain and the United States attributed the attack specifically to a unit of Russia ’ s military intelligence service , commonly known as the GRU .
Western countries have accused the GRU of orchestrating a spree of destructive in cyberattacks in recent years , including hacks that took down parts of the Ukrainian energy grid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly denied the allegations .
The Russian defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday ’ s announcement .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack `` directly affected the Georgian population , disrupted operations of several thousand Georgian government and privately-run websites and interrupted the broadcast of at least two major television stations . ''
Britain ’ s foreign minister , Dominic Raab , said : `` The GRU ’ s reckless and brazen campaign of cyberattacks against Georgia , a sovereign and independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The attack is the latest alleged attempt by Russia to undermine and destabilize the former Soviet Republic of Georgia since a short-lived war between the two countries in 2008 over a breakaway Georgian region .
Reporting by Margarita Antidze in TBILISI , Jack Stubbs in LONDON and Makini Brice in WASHINGTON ; Writing by Jack Stubbs ; editing by John Stonestreet

TBILISI (Reuters) - Britain and the United States joined Georgia on Thursday in blaming Russia for a large-scale cyber attack last year that knocked thousands of Georgian websites offline and disrupted national television broadcasts.
State, private and media websites were taken out by the attack on Oct. 28, including those belonging to the Georgian president’s office and two private television stations.
Georgia’s foreign ministry said the cyberattack, which defaced websites to display an image of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, was planned and carried out by the Russian military.
The attack "was intended to harm Georgian citizens and government structures by disrupting and paralyzing the functionality of various organizations, thereby causing anxiety among the general public," said foreign ministry spokesman Vladimer Konstantinidi.
In supporting statements, Britain and the United States attributed the attack specifically to a unit of Russia’s military intelligence service, commonly known as the GRU.
Western countries have accused the GRU of orchestrating a spree of destructive in cyberattacks in recent years, including hacks that took down parts of the Ukrainian energy grid and crippled businesses worldwide in 2017.
Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations. The Russian defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday’s announcement.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack "directly affected the Georgian population, disrupted operations of several thousand Georgian government and privately-run websites and interrupted the broadcast of at least two major television stations."
Britain’s foreign minister, Dominic Raab, said: "The GRU’s reckless and brazen campaign of cyberattacks against Georgia, a sovereign and independent nation, is totally unacceptable."
The attack is the latest alleged attempt by Russia to undermine and destabilize the former Soviet Republic of Georgia since a short-lived war between the two countries in 2008 over a breakaway Georgian region.
Reporting by Margarita Antidze in TBILISI, Jack Stubbs in LONDON and Makini Brice in WASHINGTON; Writing by Jack Stubbs; editing by John Stonestreet


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Steyer: Trump Won the Democratic Debate

Steyer: Trump Won the Democratic Debate

Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer on Thursday said President Donald Trump was the winner of Nevada 's Democratic debate thanks to the infighting between his rivals .
`` I saw the person who won the debate last night , whose name is Donald Trump .
That 's the first thing I 'd say , '' Steyer said on CNN 's New Day .
Anchor Alisyn Camerota asked Steyer to explain what he meant by Trump winning the debate in Las Vegas .
`` I saw so much bickering between Democratic candidates tearing each other down and going after each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts is beating Donald Trump in November of 2020 , '' Steyer said .
`` I saw people going after each other 's personality and records instead of remembering that , in fact , the Democratic Party needs to win in November , '' he continued .
The Democratic presidential candidates skewered each other during the debate in several tense moments , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's ( Mass . )
attack on Michael Bloomberg in the opening minutes of the debate .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( Minn. ) and former South Bend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had multiple tense exchanges .
The Nevada caucus will be held Saturday .
Buttigieg , who won in Iowa , currently leads in the delegate count with 23 , while New Hampshire winner Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) is just behind with 21 .

Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer on Thursday said President Donald Trump was the winner of Nevada's Democratic debate thanks to the infighting among his rivals.
"I saw the person who won the debate last night, whose name is Donald Trump. That's the first thing I'd say," Steyer said on CNN's New Day.
Anchor Alisyn Camerota asked Steyer to explain what he meant by Trump winning the debate in Las Vegas.
"I saw so much bickering between Democratic candidates tearing each other down and going after each other and forgetting the fact that what really counts is beating Donald Trump in November of 2020," Steyer said.
"I saw people going after each other's personality and records instead of remembering that, in fact, the Democratic Party needs to win in November," he continued.
The Democratic presidential candidates skewered each other during the debate in several tense moments, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (Mass.) attack on Michael Bloomberg in the opening minutes of the debate. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg also had multiple tense exchanges.
The Nevada caucus will be held Saturday. Buttigieg, who won in Iowa, currently leads in the delegate count with 23, while New Hampshire winner Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) is just behind with 21.


freebeacon--2020-02-20--The Most Savage Moments of the Democratic Debate

Democrats ripped into each other in Las Vegas in the most contentious primary debate of the 2020 cycle .
David @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for two years in @ @ @ @ @ sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2010 and @ @ @ @ @ His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at rutz @ freebeacon.com @

Democrats ripped into each other in Las Vegas in the most contentious primary debate of the 2020 cycle.


Beacon Extra

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`` BILLIONAIRE BEATDOWN : ‘ Mini Mike ’ Savaged By Democratic Rivals in Nevada , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg wilted under a barrage of withering criticism from his much taller Democratic rivals during his first appearance at a primary debate … Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
came out swinging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of degrading remarks about women .
She compared him unfavorably to President Donald J. Trump , urging Democrats not to `` substitute one arrogant billionaire for another . ''
Later in the debate , she humiliated the former mayor over his treatment of female subordinates and the nondisclosure agreements signed by numerous former Bloomberg employees .
WAR ON WOMEN … `` Bloomberg on NDAs : ‘ Maybe They Didn ’ t Like a Joke I Told ’ , '' by WFB ’ s Charles Fain Lehman : 2020 contender Michael Bloomberg during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release potentially dozens of women , downplaying their accusations of sexual harassment as `` maybe they did n't like a joke I told '' … Wednesday evening is far from the first time Bloomberg has refused to release former female employees from nondisclosure agreements settling more than a dozen legal complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination at Bloomberg LP .
I CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM MY VACATION HOUSE … `` Bernie Says Russians May Be to Blame for Culinary Union Attacks , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : Sen. Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russian trolls may be responsible for online attacks on members of Nevada 's Culinary Union .
`` It 's not thinkable '' that his supporters would harass union leadership , Sanders said at Wednesday evening 's Democratic debate in Las Vegas .
`` Not being too paranoid , all of us remember 2016 .
And what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up , '' Sanders said during Wednesday night 's Democratic debate .
TRANSPARENCY BYPASS … `` Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is a ‘ Smear ’ Like Birtherism , '' via DAILY BEAST : Asked by CNN if people deserve to know more about Sanders ’ health , [ Briahna Joy ] Gray said … `` What you ’ re seeing right now is really reminiscent of some of the smear and skepticism campaigns that have been run against a lot of different candidates in the past , questioning where they ’ re from and aspects of their lineage . ''
The press secretary went on : `` It ’ s really telling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being demonstrated for Michael Bloomberg , who ’ s the same age as Bernie Sanders and has suffered heart attacks in the past '' … Gray later clarified : `` I [ misspoke ] when I said Bloomberg had a heart attack . ''
INDIAN GIVING … `` Super PAC launches to support Elizabeth Warren , who has decried the role of super PACs , '' via WAPO : A new super PAC has formed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to boost the presidential bid of Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose banner campaign issue centers on rejecting the power of moneyed interests in politics … In a statement , Warren ’ s campaign said the senator ’ s position has not changed … [ but ] did not address Warren ’ s feelings about Persist PAC … and the campaign did not respond to questions about whether the senator thinks the group should continue to exist to support her candidacy .
BLOOMBERG PROPOSES LEVERAGED BUYOUT … `` Bloomberg camp warns Sanders ‘ impossible to stop , ' unless Biden , Klobuchar , Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` If [ Joe ] Biden , [ Pete ] Buttigieg , and [ Amy ] Klobuchar remain in the race despite having no path to appreciably collecting super delegates on Super Tuesday ( and beyond ) , they will propel [ Bernie ] Sanders to a seemingly insurmountable delegate lead by siphoning votes away from [ Michael Bloomberg ] , '' the memo said … Bloomberg 's top strategist Kevin Sheekey stressed the need for the centrist Democrats to coalesce to prevent a possible Sanders victory .
RUPERT OUT OF QUARANTINE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Journal Reporters , '' via WSJ : China revoked the press credentials of three Wall Street Journal reporters based in Beijing , the first time in the post-Mao era that the Chinese government has expelled multiple journalists from one international news organization at the same time … The expulsions by China ’ s Foreign Ministry followed widespread public anger at the headline on the Feb. 3 opinion piece , which referred to China as `` the real sick man of Asia . ''
WFB ABROAD … `` In Africa , Pompeo Touts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Westernize ’ Continent , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : Speaking Wednesday in Ethiopia before the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa , [ Secretary of State Mike ] Pompeo touted the influx of billions of dollars in aid from the United States to Africa in what many see as a bid to erode China 's dominance across the region .
However , Pompeo 's tour across three developing African countries—Senegal , Angola , and Ethiopia—has not been without contention .
As these countries struggle to shake off years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stymied progress and threaten to erode hard-fought gains in government and economic reform initiatives .
DOING TRUMP ’ S WORK FOR HIM … THEY IS GOING CRAZY … `` Gender Pronouns Can Be Tricky on Campus .
Harvard Is Making Them Stick.
, '' via NYT : Harvard being Harvard , changing a fixture of the classroom—even the format of name placards—could not be done without some serious discussion , said Mr. Garcia Blum , who is the vice president for diversity for the Kennedy School ’ s student government .
He wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include gender pronouns , but Harvard declined , he said .
Instead , administrators compromised on the stickers , made available in the student lounge , `` so people can opt in . ''
IT ’ S HER TURN , AGAIN … `` ANALYSIS : Democrats Deserve a Younger , Healthier Frontrunner in 2020 , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Presumptive frontrunners [ Bernie ] Sanders and [ Michael ] Bloomberg are both considerably older than Trump ( 73 ) , and neither possesses the incumbent 's legendary intellectual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two were arguing about which of them had suffered the more significant heart problems … Hillary Clinton , who has yet to officially announce her candidacy for president in 2020 … is only 72 years old .
She has n't suffered any unexplained fainting spells of late—that we know of—and appears to have gotten her coughing fits under control .
She is a woman , which is nice .
Her net worth , in the $ 50 million range , is relatively modest .
Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ @ @


freebeacon--2020-02-20--BILLIONAIRE BEATDOWN: ‘Mini Mike’ Savaged By Democratic Rivals in Nevada

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg wilted under a barrage of withering criticism from his much taller Democratic rivals during his first appearance at a primary debate .
`` Mini Mike , '' as the billionaire candidate is sometimes called , was attacked 10 times in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday 's debate in Nevada .
The gloves finally came off in what was by far the most exhilarating contest of the 2020 election cycle .
`` It was the Roman Coliseum , it was boxing in the 1950s , '' said MSNBC 's Chris Matthews following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no way to stop it . ''
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
came out swinging the hardest , slamming Bloomberg over his history of degrading remarks about women .
She compared him unfavorably to President Donald J. Trump , urging Democrats not to `` substitute one arrogant billionaire for another . ''
Later in the debate , she humiliated the former mayor over his treatment of female subordinates and the nondisclosure agreements signed by numerous former Bloomberg employees .
`` Mr. Mayor , are you willing to release all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so we can hear their side of the story ? ''
asked Warren , prompting an awkward and uninspiring response .
Bloomberg suggested his female employees had only complained `` because they did n't like a joke I told '' and refused to release them from the NDAs because `` they signed those agreements , and we 'll live with it . ''
Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , the presumptive frontrunner , also lashed out at Bloomberg on a variety of issues .
Sanders slammed the former mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which `` went after African-American and Latino people . ''
He even went after Bloomberg 's personal fortune ( approx .
$ 64 billion ) , calling it a `` grotesque and immoral '' concentration of wealth .
Bloomberg continued to struggle when former vice president Joe Biden attacked his lack of support for Obamacare .
The former mayor claimed , unconvincingly , to be a `` fan '' of the health care law he once derided as `` a disgrace . ''
Biden also criticized Bloomberg 's controversial policing policies and noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden had previously criticized Bloomberg for campaign ads implying that former president Barack Obama had endorsed his candidacy .
Pete Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of Indiana 's fourth-largest city who presumably did n't shave to appear older , also participated in the debate .
He joined the anti-Bloomberg pile-on while simultaneously taking shots at Sanders .
`` Let 's put forward somebody who is actually a Democrat , '' said Buttigieg , referring to Sanders and Bloomberg 's affiliation as Independents while in public office .
Democrats , warned Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward a candidate `` who wants to burn this party down '' ( Sanders ) , or one `` who wants to buy this party out '' ( Bloomberg ) .
The nice young man also had harsh words for Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , questioning her command of the issues in light of her recent inability to name the president of Mexico in an interview .
The debate played out largely as expected , which only made Bloomberg 's weakness and apparent lack of preparation all the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to feel more confident after the bloodbath in Nevada .
In fact , Bloomberg 's presence on stage likely ended up helping the one candidate he is explicitly trying to defeat—Bernie Sanders—by attracting criticism that might otherwise have been aimed at the leading candidate in the race .
For what it 's worth , an extensive Washington Free Beacon investigation was unable to determine with confidence whether the historically diminutive mayor was standing on a box .
Nevada will hold its Democratic caucus on Saturday before the race heads to South Carolina @ @ @ @

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg wilted under a barrage of withering criticism from his much taller Democratic rivals during his first appearance at a primary debate.
"Mini Mike," as the billionaire candidate is sometimes called, was attacked 10 times in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday's debate in Nevada. The gloves finally came off in what was by far the most exhilarating contest of the 2020 election cycle. "It was the Roman Coliseum, it was boxing in the 1950s," said MSNBC's Chris Matthews following the debate. "[Bloomberg] had no way to stop it."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) came out swinging the hardest, slamming Bloomberg over his history of degrading remarks about women. She compared him unfavorably to President Donald J. Trump, urging Democrats not to "substitute one arrogant billionaire for another." Later in the debate, she humiliated the former mayor over his treatment of female subordinates and the nondisclosure agreements signed by numerous former Bloomberg employees.
"Mr. Mayor, are you willing to release all of those women from those nondisclosure agreements, so we can hear their side of the story?" asked Warren, prompting an awkward and uninspiring response. Bloomberg suggested his female employees had only complained "because they didn't like a joke I told" and refused to release them from the NDAs because "they signed those agreements, and we'll live with it."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), the presumptive frontrunner, also lashed out at Bloomberg on a variety of issues. Sanders slammed the former mayor's "outrageous" law-enforcement policies, which "went after African-American and Latino people." He even went after Bloomberg's personal fortune (approx. $64 billion), calling it a "grotesque and immoral" concentration of wealth.
Bloomberg continued to struggle when former vice president Joe Biden attacked his lack of support for Obamacare. The former mayor claimed, unconvincingly, to be a "fan" of the health care law he once derided as "a disgrace." Biden also criticized Bloomberg's controversial policing policies and noted the Obama administration's opposition to them. Biden had previously criticized Bloomberg for campaign ads implying that former president Barack Obama had endorsed his candidacy.
Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of Indiana's fourth-largest city who presumably didn't shave to appear older, also participated in the debate. He joined the anti-Bloomberg pile-on while simultaneously taking shots at Sanders. "Let's put forward somebody who is actually a Democrat," said Buttigieg, referring to Sanders and Bloomberg's affiliation as Independents while in public office.
Democrats, warned Buttigieg via well-rehearsed wordplay, shouldn't put forward a candidate "who wants to burn this party down" (Sanders), or one "who wants to buy this party out" (Bloomberg). The nice young man also had harsh words for Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), questioning her command of the issues in light of her recent inability to name the president of Mexico in an interview.
The debate played out largely as expected, which only made Bloomberg's weakness and apparent lack of preparation all the more befuddling. Supporters of his candidacy are unlikely to feel more confident after the bloodbath in Nevada. In fact, Bloomberg's presence on stage likely ended up helping the one candidate he is explicitly trying to defeat—Bernie Sanders—by attracting criticism that might otherwise have been aimed at the leading candidate in the race.
For what it's worth, an extensive Washington Free Beacon investigation was unable to determine with confidence whether the historically diminutive mayor was standing on a box.
Nevada will hold its Democratic caucus on Saturday before the race heads to South Carolina the following week.


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bloomberg Swipes Bernie: We Tried Communism and It Didn’t Work

Former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg attacked Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) economic agenda during Wednesday 's debate , saying , `` It was called communism and it just did n't work . ''
Asked if he would support Sanders 's economic proposals as a business owner , Bloomberg said , `` Absolutely not , '' adding that Sanders 's communist policies have failed historically .
`` We 're not going to throw out capitalism , we tried that , other countries tried that .
It was called communism and it just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders responded that his political philosophy is `` democratic socialism , not communism . ''
Although Sanders called Bloomberg 's attack a `` cheap shot , '' the Vermont senator has a history of praising communist regimes .
He said communist China has `` made more progress in addressing extreme poverty than any country in the history of civilization '' in an August interview .
In 1986 , Sanders blasted the New York Times for not telling the `` real truth '' about Nicaraguan communism and spoke of being `` very excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` rising up against rather ugly rich people . ''
The Vermont senator also defended communist North Vietnamese fighters in his 1972 gubernatorial run , saying U.S. military action in Vietnam was `` almost as bad as what Hitler did . ''

'We're not going to throw out capitalism'
Former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg attacked Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) economic agenda during Wednesday's debate, saying, "It was called communism and it just didn't work."
Asked if he would support Sanders's economic proposals as a business owner, Bloomberg said, "Absolutely not," adding that Sanders's communist policies have failed historically.
"We're not going to throw out capitalism, we tried that, other countries tried that. It was called communism and it just didn't work," Bloomberg said.
Sanders responded that his political philosophy is "democratic socialism, not communism." Although Sanders called Bloomberg's attack a "cheap shot," the Vermont senator has a history of praising communist regimes.
He said communist China has "made more progress in addressing extreme poverty than any country in the history of civilization" in an August interview. In 1986, Sanders blasted the New York Times for not telling the "real truth" about Nicaraguan communism and spoke of being "very excited" about former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro "rising up against rather ugly rich people." The Vermont senator also defended communist North Vietnamese fighters in his 1972 gubernatorial run, saying U.S. military action in Vietnam was "almost as bad as what Hitler did."


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bloomberg: I’m Too Rich for TurboTax

Bloomberg: I’m Too Rich for TurboTax

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg said during Wednesday night ’ s debate that he hasn ’ t released his tax records because he `` make [ s ] a lot of money '' and `` can ’ t go to TurboTax . ''
MSNBC anchor Hallie Jackson had asked the former New York City mayor why voters have n't been able to see the records despite the billionaire previously promising to release his tax returns .
`` It just takes us a long time , unfortunately , '' Bloomberg responded .
`` Fortunately , '' he continued , `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do business all around the world , and we are preparing it .
The number of pages will probably be in the thousands of pages .
I can ’ t go to TurboTax . ''
Bloomberg , who is worth an estimated $ 62 billion , is the only candidate who participated in Wednesday night 's debate who has n't released his recent tax returns .
Bloomberg said he regularly disclosed his tax returns when he was the mayor of New York City and assured he would release his tax records soon @

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg said during Wednesday night’s debate that he hasn’t released his tax records because he "make[s] a lot of money" and "can’t go to TurboTax."
MSNBC anchor Hallie Jackson had asked the former New York City mayor why voters haven't been able to see the records despite the billionaire previously promising to release his tax returns. "It just takes us a long time, unfortunately," Bloomberg responded.
"Fortunately," he continued, "I make a lot of money, and we do business all around the world, and we are preparing it. The number of pages will probably be in the thousands of pages. I can’t go to TurboTax."
Bloomberg, who is worth an estimated $62 billion, is the only candidate who participated in Wednesday night's debate who hasn't released his recent tax returns.
Bloomberg said he regularly disclosed his tax returns when he was the mayor of New York City and assured he would release his tax records soon.


Beacon Extra 2/19/20

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.
THAT’S RICH … "Bloomberg Once Called Excessive Spending on Campaign Ads ‘Obscene’," by WFB’s Collin Anderson: [Michael] Bloomberg dismissed 2001 reports that he would spend upward of $30 million on his initial run for mayor in New York City. "At some point, you start to look obscene," Bloomberg told New York magazine. "There's a limited amount of ad time you can buy. It becomes dysfunctional; you annoy people with ads." …
The New York City business mogul spent a combined $261 million on his three mayoral campaigns, a figure he has now eclipsed in just the first three months of his presidential campaign.
SNEAKY PETE … "Buttigieg and super PAC improperly coordinated on Nevada ads, watchdog group says," via WAPO: In a complaint filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission, the Campaign Legal Center alleged [Pete] Buttigieg’s campaign improperly accepted more than $639,000 in contributions in violation of federal rules barring candidates from coordinating with independent groups that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money.
WE DON’T KNOW HIM … "Obama Allies Push Back on Michael Bloomberg Ads Framing Mayor as Obama Pal," by WFB’s David Rutz: "That is not how I remember it," former senior Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer said on MSNBC. "I do remember that 2012 endorsement that came five days before the election and to say it was damning with faint praise would be generous…. I think these ads tell a story that is belied by the reality of that relationship."
ARROWS SHOT … "Warren: Bernie Is Responsible for His Bros," by WFB’s Josh Christenson: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) on Monday faulted Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) for his supporters' attacks against a Nevada culinary workers union, saying they were building "a foundation of hate."
DON’T TELL ANTIFA … "Fascist Mussolini shirt pictured in Bernie Sanders campaign mailer," via EXAMINER: A man pictured in the Sanders campaign leaflet sent to Nevada voters by mail ahead of the state's Feb. 22 Democratic caucuses wears a black shirt with white lettering saying, "SI SI SI" (translating to "YES YES YES"), and a white face under his tan suit jacket. The image is a recreation of propaganda that pictured a large Mussolini stone face on the facade of the National Fascist Party headquarters in Rome, the Palazzo Braschi.
WFB ABROAD … "Pompeo Says Trump Travel Ban Will Not Impede U.S. Security, Trade Pacts With Africa," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: The Trump administration's newly implemented restrictions on travel to the United States from key African countries will not interfere with efforts by top U.S. officials to boost America's standing in the region, particularly on security and trade fronts, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
CHICOMS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE … "State Department Names Five Chinese Media Outlets as Foreign Diplomatic Missions in U.S.," via WSJ: The State Department said Tuesday that the U.S. operations of five Chinese news organizations—Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International, China Global Television Network and the distributors of China Daily and People’s Daily—will be considered foreign diplomatic missions.
RELATED … "China Violates Disclosure Law to Publish Propaganda in NY Times, WaPo," by WFB’s Yuichiro Kakutani.
SECRET AGENT MAN … "Chris Murphy Admits He Secretly Met With Iranian Foreign Minister," by WFB’s Alex Griswold: That stance contrasts with Murphy's rhetoric during the Obama administration when 47 Republican senators sent a letter to the Iranian regime warning that the Senate had the power to reject any nuclear deal. At the time, Murphy said the letter was "undermining the authority of the president" and called on Republicans to respect "the difference between what the executive branch and what the legislative branch is supposed to be doing surrounding delicate negotiations."
CNN FAINTS … "Fox Has Been "More Fair": Why Bernie Sanders’ Team Has Had It With MSNBC," via VANITY FAIR: The anti-Bernie highlight reel grew in recent weeks, with some moments verging on parody. Joy Reid hosted a body-language expert who said Sanders’s posture revealed that he was "lying" about a recent dispute with Elizabeth Warren …
"That’s saying something," [campaign manager Faiz Shakir] said. "Fox is often yelling about Bernie Sanders’s socialism, but they’re still giving our campaign the opportunity to make our case in a fair manner, unlike MSNBC, which has credibility with the left and is constantly undermining the Bernie Sanders campaign."
BEST PRESS STRATEGY LAWYERS CAN BUY … "Wife of ex-Bloomberg News reporter says Bloomberg tried to ‘ruin’ family after she spoke out against China," via EXAMINER: Leta Hong Fincher, whose husband, Michael Forsythe, now writes for the New York Times, accused the former New York City mayor of trying to ruin her family financially after she revealed that they had been threatened by Chinese authorities over negative coverage about Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping …
In 2013, Forsythe had been working on a story similar to the story about Xi’s family raking in cash. Just before the story was set to publish, Bloomberg knifed the story over fears that they would be "kicked out of China."
KRUG-SPLAINED … "Paul Krugman Denies Bernie Sanders’s Right to Self-Identify," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: For the entirety of his 49-year career in politics, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has chosen to identify as a socialist. Now that Sanders is the frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination for president, smug New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wants to deny him the right to his own identity.
Krugman's recent column for the Times—"Bernie Sanders Isn't a Socialist"—is a typically condescending and incoherent diatribe that relies on factual inaccuracies to support an underwhelming argument.
WHAT2 WATCH4 IN TONIGHT’S DEBATE … "BLOOMBERG BOX WATCH: ‘Mini Mike’ Qualifies for Democratic Debate in Nevada," by WFB’s Andrew Stiles: Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor trying to become the shortest individual elected president since the five-foot-seven William McKinley in 1896, will finally get the chance to stand up to his Democratic rivals on a debate stage. It remains to be seen what sort of contraption the multibillionaire will deploy in an attempt to conceal the truth about his diminutive stature at Wednesday's debate in Las Vegas …
The Democratic National Committee changed the debate's requirements specifically to ensure Bloomberg could participate.
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bloomberg Brags About Coal Plant Closures, Likely Put Thousands Out of Work

Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday evening bragged about his philanthropic targeting of American coal-fired plants , closures which likely led to thousands of lost jobs .
Asked by debate moderator Jon Ralston about how he would stop the expansion of coal , Bloomberg began by touting his privately funded efforts to close coal-fired plants across the United States .
`` Already we 've closed 304 out of the 530 coal-fired power plants in the United States , and we 've closed 80 out of the 200 or 300 that are in Europe , Bloomberg philanthropies working with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That 's one of the things you do . ''
Bloomberg has put substantial money into such closures .
His $ 150 million , four-year `` Beyond Coal '' campaign , operated primarily through the Sierra Club , is linked to the closure of 289 plants .
In June , Bloomberg promised another $ 500 million to finish the job as part of the `` Beyond Carbon '' initiative .
The number of people a coal plant employs varies—three plants in Illinois shed 65 jobs a piece , the closure of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulted in 253 lost jobs , whereas two plants closing outside of Cincinnati cost roughly 350 jobs a piece .
A conservative estimate of 65 jobs a plant suggests Bloomberg 's closures cost almost 20,000 jobs over five years .
The coal mining industry and employment in coal-fired plants have both taken substantial hits in recent years .
According to the most recent data from the Department of Energy , coal electric generation employed roughly 86,000 workers as of 2016 , but demand for coal had been steadily declining , down 53 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after rising steadily through the Bush administration , declined substantially during the Obama administration .
Under President Donald Trump , the Environmental Protection Agency has tried to lighten the burden on the industry , moving to end the Obama-era Clean Power Plan , but the industry has yet to see a rebound .
Bloomberg 's open hostility to coal is nonetheless likely to be an electoral liability should he make it to the general election .
Pennsylvania , a swing state that handed Trump the Electoral College in 2016 , is a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tons in 2016 alone .

Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday evening bragged about his philanthropic targeting of American coal-fired plants, closures which likely led to thousands of lost jobs.
Asked by debate moderator Jon Ralston about how he would stop the expansion of coal, Bloomberg began by touting his privately funded efforts to close coal-fired plants across the United States.
"Already we've closed 304 out of the 530 coal-fired power plants in the United States, and we've closed 80 out of the 200 or 300 that are in Europe, Bloomberg philanthropies working with the Sierra Club," Bloomberg said. "That's one of the things you do."
Bloomberg has put substantial money into such closures. His $150 million, four-year "Beyond Coal" campaign, operated primarily through the Sierra Club, is linked to the closure of 289 plants. In June, Bloomberg promised another $500 million to finish the job as part of the "Beyond Carbon" initiative.
The number of people a coal plant employs varies—three plants in Illinois shed 65 jobs a piece, the closure of one plant in Moffat County, Colo., resulted in 253 lost jobs, whereas two plants closing outside of Cincinnati cost roughly 350 jobs a piece. A conservative estimate of 65 jobs a plant suggests Bloomberg's closures cost almost 20,000 jobs over five years.
The coal mining industry and employment in coal-fired plants have both taken substantial hits in recent years. According to the most recent data from the Department of Energy, coal electric generation employed roughly 86,000 workers as of 2016, but demand for coal had been steadily declining, down 53 percent since 2006. Coal mine employment, after rising steadily through the Bush administration, declined substantially during the Obama administration. Under President Donald Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency has tried to lighten the burden on the industry, moving to end the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, but the industry has yet to see a rebound.
Bloomberg's open hostility to coal is nonetheless likely to be an electoral liability should he make it to the general election. Pennsylvania, a swing state that handed Trump the Electoral College in 2016, is a major coal producer, turning out 45 million tons in 2016 alone.


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bloomberg on NDAs: ‘Maybe They Didn’t Like a Joke I Told’

2020 contender Michael Bloomberg during Wednesday night 's debate once again refused to release potentially dozens of women , downplaying their accusations of sexual harassment as `` maybe they did n't like a joke I told . ''
On the debate stage in Reno , Nev. , Bloomberg was challenged by MSNBC moderator Hallie Jackson , who pointed to derogatory comments multiple women have claimed Bloomberg made to them while they were in his employ at his company , Bloomberg LP .
Bloomberg demurred , emphasizing the women he has worked with in both public and private life .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , '' Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
jumped in .
`` I 've been nice to some women . ''
`` He has gotten some number of women , dozens , who knows , both for sexual harassment and for gender discrimination in the work place , '' Warren added , before asking Bloomberg , `` are you willing to release all of those women from those nondisclosure agreements ? ''
But Bloomberg once again refused to do so , saying that `` they signed the agreements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live with . ''
`` We have a very few nondisclosure agreements … none of them accused me of doing anything other than maybe they did n't like a joke I told , '' Bloomberg said .
`` They signed those agreements and we 'll live with it . ''
Wednesday evening is far from the first time Bloomberg has refused to release former female employees from nondisclosure agreements settling more than a dozen legal complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination at Bloomberg LP .
Bloomberg himself has been accused of making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one employee to keep her boyfriend happy with `` good [ oral sex ] , '' saying of women at his company , `` I 'd like to do that piece of meat '' and `` I would do you in a second , '' and announcing that he 'd `` love nothing more in life than to have Sharon Stone sit on my face . ''
One former employee , Sekiko Sakai , has alleged that upon learning that she was pregnant , an impassive Bloomberg simply told her , `` kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has denied making any `` mistakes '' in his treatment of female employees at his company , telling ABC that `` not everybody 's happy , but we have an enviable record of treating people the same in terms of compensation and promotions and authority . ''
Warren for her part has attacked Bloomberg on the issue before .
`` I think NDAs are a way for people to hide bad things they 've done , '' Warren said .
`` And I think that women should be able to speak .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

2020 contender Michael Bloomberg during Wednesday night's debate once again refused to release potentially dozens of women, downplaying their accusations of sexual harassment as "maybe they didn't like a joke I told."
On the debate stage in Reno, Nev., Bloomberg was challenged by MSNBC moderator Hallie Jackson, who pointed to derogatory comments multiple women have claimed Bloomberg made to them while they were in his employ at his company, Bloomberg LP. Bloomberg demurred, emphasizing the women he has worked with in both public and private life.
"I hope you heard what his defense was," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) jumped in. "I've been nice to some women."
"He has gotten some number of women, dozens, who knows, both for sexual harassment and for gender discrimination in the work place," Warren added, before asking Bloomberg, "are you willing to release all of those women from those nondisclosure agreements?"
But Bloomberg once again refused to do so, saying that "they signed the agreements, and that's what they're going to live with."
"We have a very few nondisclosure agreements ... none of them accused me of doing anything other than maybe they didn't like a joke I told," Bloomberg said. "They signed those agreements and we'll live with it."
Wednesday evening is far from the first time Bloomberg has refused to release former female employees from nondisclosure agreements settling more than a dozen legal complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination at Bloomberg LP.
Bloomberg himself has been accused of making numerous crude sexual comments, including telling one employee to keep her boyfriend happy with "good [oral sex]," saying of women at his company, "I'd like to do that piece of meat" and "I would do you in a second," and announcing that he'd "love nothing more in life than to have Sharon Stone sit on my face." One former employee, Sekiko Sakai, has alleged that upon learning that she was pregnant, an impassive Bloomberg simply told her, "kill it."
Bloomberg for his part has denied making any "mistakes" in his treatment of female employees at his company, telling ABC that "not everybody's happy, but we have an enviable record of treating people the same in terms of compensation and promotions and authority."
Warren for her part has attacked Bloomberg on the issue before.
"I think NDAs are a way for people to hide bad things they've done," Warren said. "And I think that women should be able to speak. They need to be released from NDAs."


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bloomberg Claims to Be ‘Fan’ of Health Care Law He Once Derided As ‘a Disgrace’

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said at Wednesday 's Democratic debate that he was a `` fan of Obamacare , '' the health care law he called a `` disgrace '' in 2010 .
Making his first debate appearance since entering the 2020 race , Bloomberg denied former vice president Joe Biden 's charge that he did n't support the landmark law signed by President Barack Obama .
`` I am a fan of Obamacare , '' Bloomberg said , as Biden protested .
Bloomberg said he lobbied other mayors to support the law in 2009 but felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The first thing we 've got to do is get the White House and bring back those things that were left , and then find the ways to expand it .
Another public option , having some rules about capping charges , '' Bloomberg said .
`` All of those things . ''
`` Look it up , '' Biden told viewers .
`` Check it out . ''
Bloomberg did lambast the law during remarks in 2010 at the Dartmouth Presidential Lecture , CNN reported .
`` We passed a health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix the big health care problems in this country .
It is just a disgrace , '' the former mayor said .
`` The President , in all fairness , started out by pointing out what the big problems were , but then turned it over to Congress , which did n't pay any attention to any of those big problems and just created another program that 's going to cost a lot of money . ''
`` They say they 've insured or provided coverage for another 45 million people , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doctors for 45 million more people and unless they fix immigration and let people who come here for medical education stay here , those people are just going to do the same thing . ''
Some of Obama 's former aides have criticized Bloomberg 's embrace of Obama in campaign advertisements .

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said at Wednesday's Democratic debate that he was a "fan of Obamacare," the health care law he called a "disgrace" in 2010.
Making his first debate appearance since entering the 2020 race, Bloomberg denied former vice president Joe Biden's charge that he didn't support the landmark law signed by President Barack Obama.
"I am a fan of Obamacare," Bloomberg said, as Biden protested.
Bloomberg said he lobbied other mayors to support the law in 2009 but felt it didn't go far enough.
"The first thing we've got to do is get the White House and bring back those things that were left, and then find the ways to expand it. Another public option, having some rules about capping charges," Bloomberg said. "All of those things."
Biden fired back that Bloomberg called the law a "disgrace."
"Look it up," Biden told viewers. "Check it out."
Bloomberg did lambast the law during remarks in 2010 at the Dartmouth Presidential Lecture, CNN reported.
"We passed a health care bill that does absolutely nothing to fix the big health care problems in this country. It is just a disgrace," the former mayor said. "The President, in all fairness, started out by pointing out what the big problems were, but then turned it over to Congress, which didn't pay any attention to any of those big problems and just created another program that's going to cost a lot of money."
"They say they've insured or provided coverage for another 45 million people," Bloomberg added. "Except there's no doctors for 45 million more people and unless they fix immigration and let people who come here for medical education stay here, those people are just going to do the same thing."
Some of Obama's former aides have criticized Bloomberg's embrace of Obama in campaign advertisements.


freebeacon--2020-02-20--Bernie Says Russians May Be to Blame for Culinary Union Attacks

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) said that Russian trolls may be responsible for online attacks on members of Nevada 's Culinary Union .
`` It 's not thinkable '' that his supporters would harass union leadership , Sanders said at Wednesday evening 's Democratic debate in Las Vegas .
`` Not being too paranoid , all of us remember 2016 .
And what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up , '' Sanders said during Wednesday night 's Democratic debate .
`` I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not shock me .
I saw some of those tweets regarding the Culinary Workers union . ''
`` I have a 30 year , 100 percent pro-union voting record , '' Sanders said .
`` You think I would support or anybody who supports me would be attacking union leaders ?
It 's not thinkable . ''
Sanders also said he disowns any attacks on union leaders and added that members of his own campaign have been targets of online harassment .
`` If there are a few people who make ugly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I disown those people , they are not part of our movement , '' he said .
Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg asked Sanders why so many attacks seem to come from his supporters .
`` At a certain point you 've got to ask yourself , why did this pattern arise ?
Why is it especially the case among your supporters ? ''
Buttigieg asked .
`` I do n't think it is especially the case , '' Sanders said .
Culinary Workers union officials said they received threatening phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized Sanders 's Medicare for All proposal .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said that Russian trolls may be responsible for online attacks on members of Nevada's Culinary Union. "It's not thinkable" that his supporters would harass union leadership, Sanders said at Wednesday evening's Democratic debate in Las Vegas.
"Not being too paranoid, all of us remember 2016. And what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up," Sanders said during Wednesday night's Democratic debate. "I'm not saying that's happening. But it would not shock me. I saw some of those tweets regarding the Culinary Workers union."
"I have a 30 year, 100 percent pro-union voting record," Sanders said. "You think I would support or anybody who supports me would be attacking union leaders? It's not thinkable."
Sanders also said he disowns any attacks on union leaders and added that members of his own campaign have been targets of online harassment.
"If there are a few people who make ugly remarks, who attack trade union leaders, I disown those people, they are not part of our movement," he said.
Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg asked Sanders why so many attacks seem to come from his supporters.
"At a certain point you've got to ask yourself, why did this pattern arise? Why is it especially the case among your supporters?" Buttigieg asked.
"I don't think it is especially the case," Sanders said.
Culinary Workers union officials said they received threatening phone calls and messages after a union flyer criticized Sanders's Medicare for All proposal.