talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Fox News Internal Briefing Book Warns Against Top Commentators ‘Spreading Disinformation’

Fox News ’ research unit advised colleagues against taking some claims made by the network ’ s top commentators regarding Ukraine at face value .
According to a Daily Beast report Thursday , an internal Fox News research briefing book criticizes contributor John Solomon — who plays an “ indispensable role ” in a Ukrainian “ disinformation campaign , ” according to the briefing — as well as frequent guests Rudy Giuliani , Victoria Toensing and Joe diGenova for amplifying and “ spreading disinformation.
” Fox News senior political affairs specialist Bryan Murphy , who produces research for the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created the 162-page document titled “ Ukraine , Disinformation , & the Trump Administration.
” The Daily Beast notes that the briefing particularly takes aim at Solomon , a former opinion columnist for The Hill who has appeared on Fox News host Sean Hannity ’ s show , for his pieces that bolstered baseless claims about Ukraine ’ s government interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
“ John Solomon played an indispensable role in the collection and domestic publication of elements of this disinformation campaign , ” the Fox briefing book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Murphy also wrote in the internal brief that Fox News employees need to be aware of Solomon ’ s alleged journalistic misdeeds , which include “ non-disclosure of conflicts , use of unreliable sources , publishing false and misleading stories , misrepresentation of sources , and opaque coordination with involved parties.
” However , The Daily Beast noted that Solomon has continued making appearances on Fox News even after Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , who listened in on the infamous July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , testified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the elements ” in Solomon ’ s columns were “ false.
” Solomon ’ s most recent appearance on the network happened last Friday on Laura Ingraham ’ s show .
The briefing book was first publicly flagged by former freelance Fox News producer Marcus DiPaola in a Wednesday tweet .
When asked for comment on the internal brief , Mitch Kweit , senior vice president of the Brain Room , told TPM in a statement Thursday that “ the research division of Fox News produces a briefing book for all major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection of extensive data on major topics for internal use by all those in editorial functions.
” “ The Ukraine briefing book is nothing more than a comprehensive chronological account of what every person involved in the Ukraine controversy was doing at any identifiable point in time , including tracking media appearances of major players who appeared on Fox News and in many other outlets , ” Kweit said in a statement shared with TPM .
“ The 200 page document has thousands of data points and the vast majority have no relation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s now being taken out of context and politicized to damage the network .
”

Fox News’ research unit advised colleagues against taking some claims made by the network’s top commentators regarding Ukraine at face value.
According to a Daily Beast report Thursday, an internal Fox News research briefing book criticizes contributor John Solomon — who plays an “indispensable role” in a Ukrainian “disinformation campaign,” according to the briefing — as well as frequent guests Rudy Giuliani, Victoria Toensing and Joe diGenova for amplifying and “spreading disinformation.”
Fox News senior political affairs specialist Bryan Murphy, who produces research for the network’s Brain Room division, reportedly created the 162-page document titled “Ukraine, Disinformation, & the Trump Administration.”
The Daily Beast notes that the briefing particularly takes aim at Solomon, a former opinion columnist for The Hill who has appeared on Fox News host Sean Hannity’s show, for his pieces that bolstered baseless claims about Ukraine’s government interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“John Solomon played an indispensable role in the collection and domestic publication of elements of this disinformation campaign,” the Fox briefing book notes, according to the Daily Beast.
Murphy also wrote in the internal brief that Fox News employees need to be aware of Solomon’s alleged journalistic misdeeds, which include “non-disclosure of conflicts, use of unreliable sources, publishing false and misleading stories, misrepresentation of sources, and opaque coordination with involved parties.”
However, The Daily Beast noted that Solomon has continued making appearances on Fox News even after Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who listened in on the infamous July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, testified in the impeachment inquiry that “all of the elements” in Solomon’s columns were “false.” Solomon’s most recent appearance on the network happened last Friday on Laura Ingraham’s show.
The briefing book was first publicly flagged by former freelance Fox News producer Marcus DiPaola in a Wednesday tweet.
When asked for comment on the internal brief, Mitch Kweit, senior vice president of the Brain Room, told TPM in a statement Thursday that “the research division of Fox News produces a briefing book for all major stories, which serves as a standing collection of extensive data on major topics for internal use by all those in editorial functions.”
“The Ukraine briefing book is nothing more than a comprehensive chronological account of what every person involved in the Ukraine controversy was doing at any identifiable point in time, including tracking media appearances of major players who appeared on Fox News and in many other outlets,” Kweit said in a statement shared with TPM. “The 200 page document has thousands of data points and the vast majority have no relation to Fox News — instead it’s now being taken out of context and politicized to damage the network.”
Read The Daily Beast’s report here.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Trump’s Loyal Foot Soldiers Reaped Their Rewards During His Impeachment Rant

The Fox News hits , pressers and tweet-storms from those Republicans who insisted , point blank , that the President did nothing worthy of impeachment and conviction paid off Thursday as they collected their shoutouts from a smug and victorious Donald Trump .
Speaking from the East Room of the White House , Trump delivered an extremely lengthy and off-the-cuff speech peppered with compliments for the “ warriors ” who never left his side during the “ phony , rotten ” impeachment process .
White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow : For the leaders of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they assured him that “ you have nothing to worry about .
The facts are on your side , ” before launching into an attack on House Intel Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) , who the President called a “ failed screenwriter.
” Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC ) : The senator got kudos for being the “ first one to call ” and saying “ sir , I read the transcript .
You did nothing wrong.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) : Trump spent his section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature , as the President said he ’ s usually “ good at reading people ” but that McConnell is a “ tough guy to read.
” Sens .
Bill Cassidy ( R-LA ) and John Barrasso ( R-WY ) : “ When I need to know about health insurance and preexisting conditions and individual mandates , I call Bill or I call Barrasso , ” Trump said .
“ Those two guys know more than anybody.
” Sen. Mike Braun ( R-IN ) : Braun got perhaps the greatest compliment Trump can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bit like me , ” Trump said .
“ We have a couple of them .
Very successful guy in business and he said , ‘ what the hell ?
I ’ ll run for the Senate from Indiana.
’ And he ran , and I saw him on television destroying his opponent in a debate .
I said , ‘ this guy could win , ’ and I got behind him.
” Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) : Trump expressed appreciation for the dulcet tones of the senator that made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ He ’ s got this voice that scares people , ” Trump said .
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) : Trump spent most of his Hawley section making fun of former Sen. Claire McCaskill ( D-MO ) , who lost in 2018 .
Sen. Mike Lee ( R-UT ) : Similarly , Trump praised the senior senator from Utah by smearing the junior one .
“ A man who is brilliant and who actually was deceived to an extent , comes from a great state , Utah , where my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and one of the senator ’ s poll numbers , not this one , went down big , ” Trump said .
Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) : Trump approvingly noted that she was “ downright nasty and mean about the unfairness to the President , ” employing the third person perspective to reference himself , as he often does .
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) : Trump pledged McCarthy is “ gon na be speaker of House ” because of the political toll the impeachment process will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Jim Banks ( R-IN ) : The two lawmakers got brief “ great job ” type head nods .
Rep. Andy Biggs ( R-AZ ) : Trump spent most of his Biggs comments praising Arizona instead , where they ’ re “ putting up walls and stopping illegal immigrants from coming in , ” he said .
“ There ’ s a guy , he ’ s tough.
” Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) : Trump so loves his “ unbelievable friend ” that he expressed his conviction that Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a lot.
” As he is running against her for her Senate seat , that particular friendship seems unlikely .
Trump gave little indication which of the two he ’ ll ultimately get behind , saying obliquely that “ Something is going to happen that ’ s going to be very good , I don ’ t know .
I haven ’ t figured it out yet.
” Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) : Trump captured Schrödinger ’ s congressman briefly .
“ Sometimes controversial but actually not controversial , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the President said .
Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) : Trump focused on Jordan ’ s physique rather than his aggressive defensive style .
“ When I first got to know Jim Jordan , I said , ‘ Huh .
He never wears a jacket .
What the hell is going on ?
He ’ s obviously very proud of his body , ' ” he said .
“ Those ears , there ’ s something going on there , ” he added , before discussing Jordan ’ s old wrestling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Trump described an unorthodox method of picking which Republican to back in her race .
“ I like the name Lesko , ” he said .
“ That ’ s why I picked it.
” Rep. Mark Meadows ( R-NC ) : Trump said that he hasn ’ t forgotten when Meadows backed a different horse initially in 2016 , and that another member of the Meadows household thus had his greater appreciation .
“ His wife I actually like better to be honest , ” Trump half-joked .
Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relayed the effect his endorsement had on DeSantis ’ race .
“ You endorsed him and it was like a nuclear bomb went off , ” he recalled being told .
Rep. Mike Johnson ( R-LA ) : “ He goes down into dungeons and basements , ” Trump said , cryptically .
“ He ’ ll find any document , ” he added , describing Johnson ’ s ability to find damning material on his opponents and evidence in support of Trump .
Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) : The President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t even know him , ” he said .
“ I just heard there was this congressman who kept going into a basement , into files.
” Rep. Scott Perry ( R-PA ) : Trump was succinct .
“ Good job over there ; I just saw your numbers.
” Rep. John Ratcliffe ( R-TX ) : With Ratcliffe , Trump again got hung up on appearances .
‘ If we ’ re doing a remake of ‘ Perry Mason , ’ a man I get , there is nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said to applause .
Rep. Steve Scalise ( R-LA ) : Scalise ’ s physical appearance was less to Trump ’ s taste , though he made the bizarre statement that after the congressman “ set a record for blood loss , ” Scalise now “ looks better , ” since he wasn ’ t “ that good looking ” before he got shot .
Trump also recalled that Scalise ’ s wife was inconsolable at the hospital , though “ most wives wouldn ’ t give a damn.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of team Trump ’ s newer recruits , who spearheaded some parts of the House impeachment inquiry , got her time in the sun .
“ I was up campaigning for her and helping her and I thought , she looks good , she looks like good talent , ” Trump said .
“ But I did not realize when she opens that mouth , you were killing them , Elise.
” Reps. Brad Wenstrop ( R-OH ) and Lee Zeldin ( R-NY ) : The two congressmen got a “ great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you ?
” respectively .
Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) : Trump ’ s compliments for the omnipresent supporter may cost a staffer his job .
“ Whoever the hell made this list , I got to get rid of them , because if I wouldn ’ t have announced Louie , it might have been the end of the presidency , ” Trump joked .
Chairman of the American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp : In his finale , over an hour after he began , Trump thanked Schlapp for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and convinced him to run for president in the first place .

The Fox News hits, pressers and tweet-storms from those Republicans who insisted, point blank, that the President did nothing worthy of impeachment and conviction paid off Thursday as they collected their shoutouts from a smug and victorious Donald Trump.
Speaking from the East Room of the White House, Trump delivered an extremely lengthy and off-the-cuff speech peppered with compliments for the “warriors” who never left his side during the “phony, rotten” impeachment process.
White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow: For the leaders of his impeachment defense team, Trump shared how they assured him that “you have nothing to worry about. The facts are on your side,” before launching into an attack on House Intel Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), who the President called a “failed screenwriter.”
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC): The senator got kudos for being the “first one to call” and saying “sir, I read the transcript. You did nothing wrong.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY): Trump spent his section on the majority leader capturing his enigmatic nature, as the President said he’s usually “good at reading people” but that McConnell is a “tough guy to read.”
Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Barrasso (R-WY): “When I need to know about health insurance and preexisting conditions and individual mandates, I call Bill or I call Barrasso,” Trump said. “Those two guys know more than anybody.”
Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN): Braun got perhaps the greatest compliment Trump can give. “He’s a little bit like me,” Trump said. “We have a couple of them. Very successful guy in business and he said, ‘what the hell? I’ll run for the Senate from Indiana.’ And he ran, and I saw him on television destroying his opponent in a debate. I said, ‘this guy could win,’ and I got behind him.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): Trump expressed appreciation for the dulcet tones of the senator that made former FBI director James Comey “choke.” “He’s got this voice that scares people,” Trump said.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO): Trump spent most of his Hawley section making fun of former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who lost in 2018.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT): Similarly, Trump praised the senior senator from Utah by smearing the junior one. “A man who is brilliant and who actually was deceived to an extent, comes from a great state, Utah, where my poll numbers have gone through the roof, and one of the senator’s poll numbers, not this one, went down big,” Trump said.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA): Trump approvingly noted that she was “downright nasty and mean about the unfairness to the President,” employing the third person perspective to reference himself, as he often does.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA): Trump pledged McCarthy is “gonna be speaker of House” because of the political toll the impeachment process will take.
Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Jim Banks (R-IN): The two lawmakers got brief “great job” type head nods.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ): Trump spent most of his Biggs comments praising Arizona instead, where they’re “putting up walls and stopping illegal immigrants from coming in,” he said. “There’s a guy, he’s tough.”
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA): Trump so loves his “unbelievable friend” that he expressed his conviction that Loeffler is “going to end up liking him a lot.” As he is running against her for her Senate seat, that particular friendship seems unlikely. Trump gave little indication which of the two he’ll ultimately get behind, saying obliquely that “Something is going to happen that’s going to be very good, I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): Trump captured Schrödinger’s congressman briefly. “Sometimes controversial but actually not controversial, he’s solid as a rock,” the President said.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH): Trump focused on Jordan’s physique rather than his aggressive defensive style. “When I first got to know Jim Jordan, I said, ‘Huh. He never wears a jacket. What the hell is going on? He’s obviously very proud of his body,'” he said. “Those ears, there’s something going on there,” he added, before discussing Jordan’s old wrestling prowess.
Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ): Trump described an unorthodox method of picking which Republican to back in her race. “I like the name Lesko,” he said. “That’s why I picked it.”
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC): Trump said that he hasn’t forgotten when Meadows backed a different horse initially in 2016, and that another member of the Meadows household thus had his greater appreciation. “His wife I actually like better to be honest,” Trump half-joked.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R): Trump relayed the effect his endorsement had on DeSantis’ race. “You endorsed him and it was like a nuclear bomb went off,” he recalled being told.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA): “He goes down into dungeons and basements,” Trump said, cryptically. “He’ll find any document,” he added, describing Johnson’s ability to find damning material on his opponents and evidence in support of Trump.
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA): The President continued with his basement theme. “I didn’t even know him,” he said. “I just heard there was this congressman who kept going into a basement, into files.”
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA): Trump was succinct. “Good job over there; I just saw your numbers.”
Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX): With Ratcliffe, Trump again got hung up on appearances. ‘If we’re doing a remake of ‘Perry Mason,’ a man I get, there is nobody in Hollywood like this. John Ratcliffe,” he said to applause.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA): Scalise’s physical appearance was less to Trump’s taste, though he made the bizarre statement that after the congressman “set a record for blood loss,” Scalise now “looks better,” since he wasn’t “that good looking” before he got shot. Trump also recalled that Scalise’s wife was inconsolable at the hospital, though “most wives wouldn’t give a damn.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY): One of team Trump’s newer recruits, who spearheaded some parts of the House impeachment inquiry, got her time in the sun. “I was up campaigning for her and helping her and I thought, she looks good, she looks like good talent,” Trump said. “But I did not realize when she opens that mouth, you were killing them, Elise.”
Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH): “Another Perry Mason type,” per Trump.
Reps. Brad Wenstrop (R-OH) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY): The two congressmen got a “great, great” and “how good are you?” respectively.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX): Trump’s compliments for the omnipresent supporter may cost a staffer his job. “Whoever the hell made this list, I got to get rid of them, because if I wouldn’t have announced Louie, it might have been the end of the presidency,” Trump joked.
Chairman of the American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp: In his finale, over an hour after he began, Trump thanked Schlapp for being the one who recognized his speech-making talent and convinced him to run for president in the first place.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Trump Went Off The Deep End In His Post-Acquittal Victory Lap

Less than 24 hours after the Senate ’ s Republican majority saved him from getting kicked out of office in the impeachment trial , President Donald Trump appeared in front of a podium in the White House and spewed a free-wheeling victory speech filled with personal grievances and bizarre tangents .
Comey had nothing to do with the impeachment proceedings , but he ’ s apparently become a permanent resident of Trump ’ s brain nonetheless .
“ Had I not fired James Comey , who was a disaster by the way , it ’ s possible I wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he told the audience .
Trump was referring to his conspiracy theory that Comey was trying to take him down early in his presidency , but the President likely didn ’ t realize that his comment made it sound like he ’ d fired the law enforcement official to save himself from being investigated .
Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) , one of Trump ’ s most loyal flunkies in Congress , got a special shout-out from Trump for keeping it tight .
“ When I first got to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he never wears a jacket .
What the hell is going on ?
He ’ s obviously very proud of his body , ” the President commented as the audience laughed .
“ They say when Jim works out , even though he ’ s not as young as he was but he works out , the machine starts burning , ” he continued .
“ It ’ s just a different form of a workout than us , right , Sonny ?
” The President was perhaps referring to Agriculture Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing in great detail how House Minority Whip Steve Scalise ( R-LA ) was shot ( or “ whacked , ” in Trump ’ s words ) during a congressional baseball game practice in 2017 .
“ I think you set a record for blood loss , ” he told the Republican congressman .
“ And actually I think you ’ re better-looking now .
You ’ re more handsome now .
You weren ’ t that good-looking.
” Trump had the restraint to not call out Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convict him , directly by name — but he might as well have .
“ Then you have some that used religion as a crutch , ” he said , an obvious reference to the GOP senator ’ s speech in which he cited his Mormon faith as the reason for his decision .
“ But , you know , it ’ s a failed presidential candidate , so things can happen when you fail so badly running for president , ” Trump snarked , echoing the same barb he had lobbed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seconds Of Ceasefire With The Media “ I ’ ve done things wrong in my life , I will admit .
Not purposely , but I ’ ve done things wrong .
But this is what the end result is , ” Trump said , holding up a copy of the Washington Post with the headline “ Trump acquitted ” splashed on the front page .
“ We can take that home , honey , maybe we ’ ll frame it , ” Trump joked to his wife , Melania .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve ever had in the Washington Post.
” “ But every paper is the same .
Does anybody have those papers ?
Does anybody have them ?
Because they ’ re all like that , so I appreciate that , ” he said in an apparently sincere tone .
No Trump speech is completely without some form of whining about how unfair the media and/or investigators are to him , but the President ’ s rage ran truly unfettered on Thursday as he howled against those responsible for the impeachment that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceeding were “ a phony , rotten deal ” brought on by “ very evil and sick people.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) “ is a horrible person.
” House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) “ is a vicious , horrible person.
” All the Democrats who voted for impeachment are “ vicious as hell.
” But for Trump , the injustice began with the Russia scandal .
“ We were treated unbelievably unfairly , and you have to understand we first went through Russia , Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was all bullshit .
”

Less than 24 hours after the Senate’s Republican majority saved him from getting kicked out of office in the impeachment trial, President Donald Trump appeared in front of a podium in the White House and spewed a free-wheeling victory speech filled with personal grievances and bizarre tangents.
Trump’s First Target: Former FBI James Comey
Comey had nothing to do with the impeachment proceedings, but he’s apparently become a permanent resident of Trump’s brain nonetheless.
“Had I not fired James Comey, who was a disaster by the way, it’s possible I wouldn’t even be standing here right now,” he told the audience.
Trump was referring to his conspiracy theory that Comey was trying to take him down early in his presidency, but the President likely didn’t realize that his comment made it sound like he’d fired the law enforcement official to save himself from being investigated.
Trump says "it's possible" he wouldn't be in office if he hadn't fired James Comey pic.twitter.com/4mIYCi3VyT — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
Jim Jordan’s Physique And Workout Routine
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), one of Trump’s most loyal flunkies in Congress, got a special shout-out from Trump for keeping it tight.
“When I first got to know Jim Jordan, I said, huh, he never wears a jacket. What the hell is going on? He’s obviously very proud of his body,” the President commented as the audience laughed.
“They say when Jim works out, even though he’s not as young as he was but he works out, the machine starts burning,” he continued. “It’s just a different form of a workout than us, right, Sonny?” The President was perhaps referring to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
Trump praises Rep. Jim Jordan's body and points out his wrestling ears pic.twitter.com/Cwn0JTRWX8 — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
Steve Scalise’s “Record For Blood Loss”
Trump spent several minutes describing in great detail how House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) was shot (or “whacked,” in Trump’s words) during a congressional baseball game practice in 2017.
“I think you set a record for blood loss,” he told the Republican congressman. “And actually I think you’re better-looking now. You’re more handsome now. You weren’t that good-looking.”
Trump praises Scalise pic.twitter.com/7C6BZ1JXsz — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
Not-So-Subtle Jabs At Romney
Trump had the restraint to not call out Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who was the one Republican to convict him, directly by name — but he might as well have.
“Then you have some that used religion as a crutch,” he said, an obvious reference to the GOP senator’s speech in which he cited his Mormon faith as the reason for his decision.
“But, you know, it’s a failed presidential candidate, so things can happen when you fail so badly running for president,” Trump snarked, echoing the same barb he had lobbed at Romney earlier on Thursday morning.
Trump invokes Mitt Romney, saying the Utah Republican used "religion as a crutch" in his vote against the President pic.twitter.com/2GMyXXERKO — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
Two Seconds Of Ceasefire With The Media
“I’ve done things wrong in my life, I will admit. Not purposely, but I’ve done things wrong. But this is what the end result is,” Trump said, holding up a copy of the Washington Post with the headline “Trump acquitted” splashed on the front page.
“We can take that home, honey, maybe we’ll frame it,” Trump joked to his wife, Melania. “It’s the only good headline I’ve ever had in the Washington Post.”
“But every paper is the same. Does anybody have those papers? Does anybody have them? Because they’re all like that, so I appreciate that,” he said in an apparently sincere tone.
Trump shows off the front page of the Washington Post pic.twitter.com/8mq7h7e22c — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
“It Was All Bullshit”
No Trump speech is completely without some form of whining about how unfair the media and/or investigators are to him, but the President’s rage ran truly unfettered on Thursday as he howled against those responsible for the impeachment that will forever stain his legacy.
The impeachment proceeding were “a phony, rotten deal” brought on by “very evil and sick people.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) “is a horrible person.” House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) “is a vicious, horrible person.” All the Democrats who voted for impeachment are “vicious as hell.”
But for Trump, the injustice began with the Russia scandal.
“We were treated unbelievably unfairly, and you have to understand we first went through Russia, Russia, Russia,” he fumed. “It was all bullshit.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Sanders Declares Victory In Iowa

Sanders Declares Victory In Iowa

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) claimed victory in the Iowa caucuses Thursday , three days after the caucuses themselves but before the official final tally of results had been completed by the state ’ s Democratic Party .
“ We won in Iowa because of the unprecedented grassroots effort of our campaign , ” Sanders tweeted .
The declaration of victory comes several days after Sanders ’ neck-and-neck competitor in Iowa , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , delivered a victory speech of his own .
At the time , the state had not released any precinct-level results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delays in collecting and verifying caucus data from more than 1,600 voting sites have fogged up the results in Iowa with days of delays .
By midday Thursday , the party had released 97 % of precinct data , showing Sanders leading in the state ’ s popular vote and a too-close-to-call margin between Sanders and Buttigieg in the delegate count from the state .
Also Thursday , Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez called for a recanvass in Iowa .
State Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price responded by saying the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidates .
In a press conference Thursday , Sanders said he was claiming victory based on the popular vote in Iowa .
“ When 6,000 more people come out for you in an election than your nearest opponent , we here in northern New England call that a victory , ” he said , referring to the initial votes cast at the caucuses .
Sanders also led , but by a smaller margin , the second round of popular voting at caucus sites .
The “ state delegate equivalent ” difference between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ meaningless ” given how close that tally was with 97 % of precincts reporting .
“ We are both likely to receive the same number of national delegates to the Democratic National Convention , ” Sanders said , adding : “ Those national delegates , not the state delegates , are the ones that really matter in the nominating process.
” This post has been updated .

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed victory in the Iowa caucuses Thursday, three days after the caucuses themselves but before the official final tally of results had been completed by the state’s Democratic Party.
“We won in Iowa because of the unprecedented grassroots effort of our campaign,” Sanders tweeted.
We won in Iowa because of the unprecedented grassroots effort of our campaign. Thousands of volunteers knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors in the cold and snow. I want to thank each and every volunteer who participated in that effort. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 6, 2020
The declaration of victory comes several days after Sanders’ neck-and-neck competitor in Iowa, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, delivered a victory speech of his own. At the time, the state had not released any precinct-level results.
Technical issues with an untested app and delays in collecting and verifying caucus data from more than 1,600 voting sites have fogged up the results in Iowa with days of delays.
By midday Thursday, the party had released 97% of precinct data, showing Sanders leading in the state’s popular vote and a too-close-to-call margin between Sanders and Buttigieg in the delegate count from the state.
Also Thursday, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez called for a recanvass in Iowa. State Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price responded by saying the party was prepared to handle such requests from presidential candidates.
In a press conference Thursday, Sanders said he was claiming victory based on the popular vote in Iowa.
“When 6,000 more people come out for you in an election than your nearest opponent, we here in northern New England call that a victory,” he said, referring to the initial votes cast at the caucuses. Sanders also led, but by a smaller margin, the second round of popular voting at caucus sites.
The “state delegate equivalent” difference between he and Buttigieg, Sanders said, was “meaningless” given how close that tally was with 97% of precincts reporting.
“We are both likely to receive the same number of national delegates to the Democratic National Convention,” Sanders said, adding: “Those national delegates, not the state delegates, are the ones that really matter in the nominating process.”
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Trump Praises Scalise, Says He ‘Looks Better’ After Baseball Shooting

While talking up his Senate impeachment acquittal in the White House Thursday , President Trump went on an extended tangent about Rep. Steve Scalise ( R-LA ) that was ostensibly supposed to be a compliment .
It took several strange turns .
“ A man who is braver than me and braver than all of us in this room , he got whacked , ” Trump said .
“ He got whacked .
My Steve , right ?
I went to the hospital with our great first lady that night — right , honey ?
— and we saw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” Trump then launched into a rant about how Scalise “ was not going to make it ” and that he told him that his “ devastated ” and “ inconsolable ” wife “ said she loves you.
” “ A lot of wives wouldn ’ t give a damn .
A lot of wives would ’ ve said , how is he doing ?
She couldn ’ t even talk , she was inconsolable , ” Trump said .
“ Most wives would say , not good , listen I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in and the wife was a total mess .
She was really devastated .
It really looked like he had a 20 , 25 percent chance.
” Trump then pivoted to praising Scalise for “ setting a record for blood loss ” and being “ better looking now.
” “ You ’ re more handsome now .
You weren ’ t that good-looking .
You look good now , ” Trump said .
“ He looks better now , can you believe it ?
I don ’ t know what the hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Better now .
”

While talking up his Senate impeachment acquittal in the White House Thursday, President Trump went on an extended tangent about Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) that was ostensibly supposed to be a compliment. It took several strange turns.
“A man who is braver than me and braver than all of us in this room, he got whacked,” Trump said. “He got whacked. My Steve, right? I went to the hospital with our great first lady that night — right, honey? — and we saw a man that was not going to make it.”
Trump then launched into a rant about how Scalise “was not going to make it” and that he told him that his “devastated” and “inconsolable” wife “said she loves you.”
“A lot of wives wouldn’t give a damn. A lot of wives would’ve said, how is he doing? She couldn’t even talk, she was inconsolable,” Trump said. “Most wives would say, not good, listen I’m going home now. The doctor came in and the wife was a total mess. She was really devastated. It really looked like he had a 20, 25 percent chance.”
Trump then pivoted to praising Scalise for “setting a record for blood loss” and being “better looking now.”
“You’re more handsome now. You weren’t that good-looking. You look good now,” Trump said. “He looks better now, can you believe it? I don’t know what the hell that is. It’s true. Better now.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Trump Praises Rep. Jim Jordan’s Wrestling Body In Rambling Speech Celebrating Acquittal

Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) is “ very proud of his body , ” the President of the United States commented Thursday .
Jordan was one of an array of political allies on whom Trump lavished praise Thursday , during a lengthy , rambling speech celebrating his acquittal by the Senate on two impeachment charges .
“ He ’ s the NCAA — meaning , a couple years ago in college — wrestling champ , ” Trump said of Jordan .
“ That means in all of college , you ’ re the best .
His record was ridiculous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I see it .
Every time I see it .
When I first got to know Jim Jordan , I said , huh , he never wears a jacket .
What the hell is going on ?
He ’ s obviously very proud of his body.
” “ They say when Jim works out , even though he ’ s not as young as he was , the machine starts burning .
It ’ s just a different form of a workout than us.
” “ Right , Sonny ?
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of Agriculture .
Trump added that Jordan ’ s ears hinted at his wrestling past .
“ I ’ m looking at those ears , and I say , ‘ Those ears have something going on there .
Did you ever wrestle ?
’ ‘ Yeah , I did.
’ ” After his time as a college wrestler , Jordan coached wrestling at the Ohio State University .
Multiple former student wrestlers have accused him of ignoring evidence of rampant sexual abuse as a coach .
Jordan has maintained his ignorance .

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is “very proud of his body,” the President of the United States commented Thursday.
Jordan was one of an array of political allies on whom Trump lavished praise Thursday, during a lengthy, rambling speech celebrating his acquittal by the Senate on two impeachment charges.
“He’s the NCAA — meaning, a couple years ago in college — wrestling champ,” Trump said of Jordan. “That means in all of college, you’re the best. His record was ridiculous. Nobody could beat him.”
“And I see it. Every time I see it. When I first got to know Jim Jordan, I said, huh, he never wears a jacket. What the hell is going on? He’s obviously very proud of his body.”
Trump kept on complimenting Jordan’s physique.
“They say when Jim works out, even though he’s not as young as he was, the machine starts burning. It’s just a different form of a workout than us.”
“Right, Sonny?” Trump said, seemingly referring to the rotund secretary of Agriculture.
Trump added that Jordan’s ears hinted at his wrestling past.
“I’m looking at those ears, and I say, ‘Those ears have something going on there. Did you ever wrestle?’ ‘Yeah, I did.’”
After his time as a college wrestler, Jordan coached wrestling at the Ohio State University. Multiple former student wrestlers have accused him of ignoring evidence of rampant sexual abuse as a coach. Jordan has maintained his ignorance.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Trump All Of A Sudden Loves Washington Post After Acquittal Headline

President Trump appears to have temporarily put his feud with the Washington Post aside during his remarks at the White House a day after the Senate voted to acquit him in the impeachment trial .
After saying that “ this is really not a news conference , it ’ s not a speech , it ’ s not anything , it ’ s just we ’ re sort of — it ’ s a celebration , ” Trump gloated about how “ it worked out.
” “ We went through hell unfairly .
Did nothing wrong , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve done things wrong in my life , I will admit .
Not purposely , but I ’ ve done things wrong .
But this is what the end result is.
” Trump then held up the Washington Post ’ s front page Thursday , which was met with cheers and applause .
“ We can take that home , honey , maybe we ’ ll frame it , ” Trump said , sarcastically .
“ It ’ s the only good headline I ’ ve ever had in the Washington Post @ @

President Trump appears to have temporarily put his feud with the Washington Post aside during his remarks at the White House a day after the Senate voted to acquit him in the impeachment trial.
After saying that “this is really not a news conference, it’s not a speech, it’s not anything, it’s just we’re sort of — it’s a celebration,” Trump gloated about how “it worked out.”
“We went through hell unfairly. Did nothing wrong,” Trump said. “Did nothing wrong. I’ve done things wrong in my life, I will admit. Not purposely, but I’ve done things wrong. But this is what the end result is.”
Trump then held up the Washington Post’s front page Thursday, which was met with cheers and applause.
“We can take that home, honey, maybe we’ll frame it,” Trump said, sarcastically. “It’s the only good headline I’ve ever had in the Washington Post.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--Trump Says He Wouldn’t Still Be In Office If He Hadn’t Fired Comey

In an extended rant following his acquittal in the GOP-controlled Senate , President Donald Trump on Thursday crowed over his @ @ @ @ @ James Comey .
“ Had I not fired James Comey , who was a disaster @ @ @ @ @ ’ s possible I wouldn ’ t even be standing here right now , ” @ @ @ @ @ complained about the investigations into him and his campaign .
“ And we were treated @ @ @ @ @ have to understand we first went through Russia , Russia , Russia , ” he @ @ @ @ @ all bullshit.
” Trump went all over the place with his speech , clearly feeling @ @ @ @ @ senators voted to acquit him the two House impeachment articles charging him with abuse of @ @ @ @ @ .

In an extended rant following his acquittal in the GOP-controlled Senate, President Donald Trump on Thursday crowed over his firing of former FBI Director James Comey.
“Had I not fired James Comey, who was a disaster by the way, it’s possible I wouldn’t even be standing here right now,” Trump said.
Trump says "it's possible" he wouldn't be in office if he hadn't fired James Comey pic.twitter.com/4mIYCi3VyT — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
He also complained about the investigations into him and his campaign.
“And we were treated unbelievably unfairly, and you have to understand we first went through Russia, Russia, Russia,” he said. “It was all bullshit.”
Trump complains about investigations into his campaign: “It was all bullshit.” pic.twitter.com/ES967j1bqS — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 6, 2020
Trump went all over the place with his speech, clearly feeling vindicated and unbound after Republican senators voted to acquit him the two House impeachment articles charging him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--DNC Chair Calls For Recanvass Of Iowa Votes: ‘Enough Is Enough’

The chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Thursday called for a recanvass of the results of the Iowa caucuses , potentially delaying yet again the results in the first-in-the-nation presidential contest .
“ Enough is enough , ” DNC chair Tom Perez tweeted .
“ In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results , I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass.
” Recanvassing requires double-checking existing vote counts , not re-doing the caucuses themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s own , Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price said the state party was “ prepared ” for any recanvass requests by qualified presidential campaigns — he made no mention of the national party chairman ’ s request .
“ In such a circumstance , the IDP will audit the paper records of report , as provided by the precinct chairs and signed by representatives of presidential campaigns.
” Perez ’ s announcement added to confusion about the Iowa tally .
The state party has delayed completing the count of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a faulty app that was used to transmit data from the precinct level to the state , and then saying they were still collecting and verifying vote tallies .
As of Thursday morning , the state had released result data for 97 % of precincts , showing Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg neck-and-neck in the count of “ state delegate equivalents , ” which the state uses to determine the contest ’ s winner and allocate convention delegates .
Analysts had noticed errors and inconsistencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party did release .

The chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Thursday called for a recanvass of the results of the Iowa caucuses, potentially delaying yet again the results in the first-in-the-nation presidential contest.
“Enough is enough,” DNC chair Tom Perez tweeted. “In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results, I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass.”
A recanvass is a review of the worksheets from each caucus site to ensure accuracy. The IDP will continue to report results. — Tom Perez (@TomPerez) February 6, 2020
Recanvassing requires double-checking existing vote counts, not re-doing the caucuses themselves.
In a statement shortly after Perez’s own, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price said the state party was “prepared” for any recanvass requests by qualified presidential campaigns — he made no mention of the national party chairman’s request.
“In such a circumstance, the IDP will audit the paper records of report, as provided by the precinct chairs and signed by representatives of presidential campaigns.”
NEW from Iowa Democratic Party chair Troy Price: "Should any presidential campaign in compliance with the Iowa Delegate Selection Plan request a recanvass, the IDP is prepared." pic.twitter.com/MUSE26alPo — Sabrina Siddiqui (@SabrinaSiddiqui) February 6, 2020
Perez’s announcement added to confusion about the Iowa tally. The state party has delayed completing the count of the state’s caucuses for days, first blaming a faulty app that was used to transmit data from the precinct level to the state, and then saying they were still collecting and verifying vote tallies.
As of Thursday morning, the state had released result data for 97% of precincts, showing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg neck-and-neck in the count of “state delegate equivalents,” which the state uses to determine the contest’s winner and allocate convention delegates.
Analysts had noticed errors and inconsistencies in some of the data that the party did release.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-06--WATCH LIVE: Trump Speaks After Senate Impeachment Trial Acquittal

WASHINGTON , DC - FEBRUARY 05 : U.S. President Donald Trump waits with Interim President of the Bolivarian Republic of @ @ @ @ @ at the White House , on February 5 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
@ @ @ @ @ DC - FEBRUARY 05 : U.S. President Donald Trump waits with Interim President of the @ @ @ @ @ after his arrival at the White House , on February 5 , 2020 in Washington @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Senate is expected to vote for acquittal in President Trumps impeachment trial .
@ @ @ @ @ Images )

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump waits with Interim President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, after his arrival at the White House, on February 5, 2020 in Washington, DC. Later Today...
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump waits with Interim President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, after his arrival at the White House, on February 5, 2020 in Washington, DC. Later Today the U.S. Senate is expected to vote for acquittal in President Trumps impeachment trial. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--After Iowa Conflagration, The Burned Candidates Gather For A Debate

Friday , a full four days after the candidates expected to know who won the Iowa caucus , the results are still so mired in confusion and incompetence that the Associated Press has declined to announce a winner at all .
In some candidates ’ cases , a year of money , hard work and constant travel is essentially down the tubes .
The Democratic National Committee is getting involved after the Iowa state party bungled every step of the process .
And with that dumpster fire throwing up smoke in the background , seven presidential hopefuls will meet on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are : former Vice President Joe Biden , Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) , Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) , and Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , entrepreneur Andrew Yang and billionaire Tom Steyer .
For some candidates , this will mean using Friday ’ s stage to sell a win that got buried under the rubble .
Ninety-nine percent of the results are in , and Buttigieg seems to have eked out the victory .
With 26.2 percent of the state delegate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is just barely leading Sanders who got 12 delegates with 26.1 percent .
Both have declared victory , Buttigieg on Monday night before any results were in .
As discordant as his speech seemed then , against a backdrop of chaos , it makes sense .
Buttigieg needed the Iowa win and poured a lot of resources into the first state .
He ’ s polling decently in New Hampshire too , perhaps enjoying an Iowa boost .
But , per FiveThirtyEight ’ s poll amalgamation , he starts to seriously trail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have virtually all-white electorates .
Nevada and South Carolina , which hold their nominating contests later this month , are the first of these .
He may have the most cause for anger about Iowa ’ s meltdown .
Lacking the passionate and time-tested fan base of Sanders , he is depending on these first two states to show voters that he ’ s a viable candidate and to prove that he ’ s not too green for the presidency .
That message was muddled amid the noise — count on him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As for attacks during the debate , Buttigieg may have the most to gain by going after Sanders or Biden .
As Sanders has also declared himself the winner of the Iowa caucus , a natural friction arises there .
Biden , on the other hand , had a disappointing showing in Iowa .
Though the state plays to many of his weaknesses — a progressive Democratic electorate and little diversity — a fourth place finish is not what his campaign hoped for .
Buttigieg , thus , is well positioned to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sanders and to clobber Biden ’ s “ electability ” argument in one-fell swoop .
Sanders is extremely well positioned coming out of Iowa .
He won , or almost did , or did for all intents and purposes , and will probably win again in New Hampshire .
He ’ s looking good in Nevada too — per FiveThirtyEight , he and Biden appear to be essentially tied in the state .
He ’ d be well suited to make a presentation at the debate painting himself as a unifier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party together , to make himself seem a more palatable option for Democrats disappointed in Biden ’ s performance and perhaps forced to start considering a new frontrunner .
But Sanders tends to run on his outsider status no matter what .
Warren had an okay night in Iowa .
Finishing above Biden gives her something to tout , though she was in a fairly distant third to Buttigieg and Sanders ’ virtual tie .
The problem with Warren will be how to encourage voters to look ahead , to states where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FiveThirtyEight , she ’ s currently fourth in New Hampshire , third in Nevada and fourth in South Carolina .
That ’ s a long road to push through with nothing higher than a third place finish .
Someone like Biden , who is also likely to finish out of the top two in New Hampshire , is hanging his hat on the more diverse states .
If he can pull off a win in Nevada and South Carolina , he is well-positioned to make the argument that he wins when an electorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose .
But he needs to find a way to staunch the bleeding from Iowa and , probably , from New Hampshire : the negative coverage is surely going to drag him down in those next two primaries unless he can find a convincing way to calm people ’ s anxieties , and to actually raise some money .
Klobuchar did well in Iowa hewing as close to Biden as she did , but her chances seem remote at this point .
The same goes for Yang and Steyer .
Iowa was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets overblown importance .
But this debate is going to be all about that race , and how candidates plan to capitalize on or move past it .

Friday, a full four days after the candidates expected to know who won the Iowa caucus, the results are still so mired in confusion and incompetence that the Associated Press has declined to announce a winner at all.
In some candidates’ cases, a year of money, hard work and constant travel is essentially down the tubes. The Democratic National Committee is getting involved after the Iowa state party bungled every step of the process. And with that dumpster fire throwing up smoke in the background, seven presidential hopefuls will meet on the debate stage in New Hampshire.
They are: former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and billionaire Tom Steyer.
For some candidates, this will mean using Friday’s stage to sell a win that got buried under the rubble.
Ninety-nine percent of the results are in, and Buttigieg seems to have eked out the victory. With 26.2 percent of the state delegate equivalent — giving him 13 delegates — he is just barely leading Sanders who got 12 delegates with 26.1 percent.
Both have declared victory, Buttigieg on Monday night before any results were in.
As discordant as his speech seemed then, against a backdrop of chaos, it makes sense. Buttigieg needed the Iowa win and poured a lot of resources into the first state. He’s polling decently in New Hampshire too, perhaps enjoying an Iowa boost. But, per FiveThirtyEight’s poll amalgamation, he starts to seriously trail in the next states that don’t have virtually all-white electorates. Nevada and South Carolina, which hold their nominating contests later this month, are the first of these.
He may have the most cause for anger about Iowa’s meltdown. Lacking the passionate and time-tested fan base of Sanders, he is depending on these first two states to show voters that he’s a viable candidate and to prove that he’s not too green for the presidency. That message was muddled amid the noise — count on him hammering it home during the debate.
As for attacks during the debate, Buttigieg may have the most to gain by going after Sanders or Biden. As Sanders has also declared himself the winner of the Iowa caucus, a natural friction arises there.
Biden, on the other hand, had a disappointing showing in Iowa. Though the state plays to many of his weaknesses — a progressive Democratic electorate and little diversity — a fourth place finish is not what his campaign hoped for. Buttigieg, thus, is well positioned to play up his viability as the moderate alternative to Sanders and to clobber Biden’s “electability” argument in one-fell swoop.
Sanders is extremely well positioned coming out of Iowa. He won, or almost did, or did for all intents and purposes, and will probably win again in New Hampshire. He’s looking good in Nevada too — per FiveThirtyEight, he and Biden appear to be essentially tied in the state. He’d be well suited to make a presentation at the debate painting himself as a unifier, someone who can bring both wings of the party together, to make himself seem a more palatable option for Democrats disappointed in Biden’s performance and perhaps forced to start considering a new frontrunner. But Sanders tends to run on his outsider status no matter what.
Warren had an okay night in Iowa. Finishing above Biden gives her something to tout, though she was in a fairly distant third to Buttigieg and Sanders’ virtual tie. The problem with Warren will be how to encourage voters to look ahead, to states where she will likely do better. Per FiveThirtyEight, she’s currently fourth in New Hampshire, third in Nevada and fourth in South Carolina. That’s a long road to push through with nothing higher than a third place finish.
Someone like Biden, who is also likely to finish out of the top two in New Hampshire, is hanging his hat on the more diverse states. If he can pull off a win in Nevada and South Carolina, he is well-positioned to make the argument that he wins when an electorate more representative of the country gets to choose. But he needs to find a way to staunch the bleeding from Iowa and, probably, from New Hampshire: the negative coverage is surely going to drag him down in those next two primaries unless he can find a convincing way to calm people’s anxieties, and to actually raise some money.
Klobuchar did well in Iowa hewing as close to Biden as she did, but her chances seem remote at this point. The same goes for Yang and Steyer.
Iowa was one caucus, a contest that many feel gets overblown importance. But this debate is going to be all about that race, and how candidates plan to capitalize on or move past it.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--Key Impeachment Probe Witness Vindman Escorted Out Of WH, Lawyer Says

The National Security Council official and impeachment probe witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was escorted from the White House Friday , his lawyer said .
Vindman was the subject of right-wing vitriol in the wake of his testimony to the House impeachment inquiry in November — including from the White House and Fox News .
In a statement , Vindman ’ s attorney David Pressman said his client , the NSC ’ s director for European Affairs , “ was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President.
” “ He does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress , ” Pressman continued .
The White House declined to comment in an email to TPM .
“ We do not comment on personnel matters , ” NSC spokesman John Ullyot said .
Vindman ’ s twin brother Yevgeny , the senior NSC lawyer who did not testify in the impeachment probe , was also removed from his post and left the White House alongside his brother , Politico and The New York Times reported .
Vindman ’ s attorney said there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s NSC job was over .
“ LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth.
” The White House has referred openly to “ retribution ” after Trump was acquitted by the Senate of both impeachment charges against him on Wednesday .
Bloomberg and The Washington Post reported Thursday that Vindman and possibly others were expected to be removed from their NSC jobs .
Vindman was a crucial witness to the President ’ s pressure campaign on Ukraine .
After his testimony , the Army provided him and his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to ensure they were “ properly protected.
” Read Pressman ’ s full statement below , via his firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP : Today , Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President .
He has spoken publicly once , and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress .
There is no question in the mind of any American why this man ’ s job is over , why this country now has one less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth .
His honor , his commitment to right , frightened the powerful .
During his decades of service to this country , LTC Alexander Vindman has served quietly but dutifully , and he has served with honor .
He came into the public eye only when subpoenaed to testify before Congress , and he did what the law demanded .
In recent months , many entrusted with power in our political system have cowered out of fear .
And , yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not endowed with prestige or power , but equipped only with a sense of right borne out of years of quiet service to their country made different choices .
They courageously chose to honor their duty with integrity , to trust the truth , and to put their faith in country ahead of fear .
And they have paid a price .
The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job , his career , and his privacy .
He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his oath , and he served his country , even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril .
And for that , the most powerful man in the world – buoyed by the silent , the pliable , and the complicit – has decided to exact revenge .
LTC Alexander Vindman leaves the White House today .
But we must not accept the departure of truth , duty , and loyalty that he represents .
In this country right matters , and so does truth .
Truth is not partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be silenced , if we ignore their warnings , eventually there will be no one left to warn us .
This post has been updated .

The National Security Council official and impeachment probe witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was escorted from the White House Friday, his lawyer said.
Vindman was the subject of right-wing vitriol in the wake of his testimony to the House impeachment inquiry in November — including from the White House and Fox News.
In a statement, Vindman’s attorney David Pressman said his client, the NSC’s director for European Affairs, “was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President.”
“He does so having spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress,” Pressman continued.
The White House declined to comment in an email to TPM.
“We do not comment on personnel matters,” NSC spokesman John Ullyot said.
Vindman’s twin brother Yevgeny, the senior NSC lawyer who did not testify in the impeachment probe, was also removed from his post and left the White House alongside his brother, Politico and The New York Times reported.
Vindman’s attorney said there was “no question” why his client’s NSC job was over. “LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth.”
The White House has referred openly to “retribution” after Trump was acquitted by the Senate of both impeachment charges against him on Wednesday.
Bloomberg and The Washington Post reported Thursday that Vindman and possibly others were expected to be removed from their NSC jobs.
Vindman was a crucial witness to the President’s pressure campaign on Ukraine. After his testimony, the Army provided him and his family with security assistance, including home surveillance, to ensure they were “properly protected.”
Read Pressman’s full statement below, via his firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP:
Today, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President. He has spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress. There is no question in the mind of any American why this man’s job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House. LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful. During his decades of service to this country, LTC Alexander Vindman has served quietly but dutifully, and he has served with honor. He came into the public eye only when subpoenaed to testify before Congress, and he did what the law demanded. In recent months, many entrusted with power in our political system have cowered out of fear. And, yet, a handful of men and women, not endowed with prestige or power, but equipped only with a sense of right borne out of years of quiet service to their country made different choices. They courageously chose to honor their duty with integrity, to trust the truth, and to put their faith in country ahead of fear. And they have paid a price. The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy. He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath, and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril. And for that, the most powerful man in the world – buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit – has decided to exact revenge. LTC Alexander Vindman leaves the White House today. But we must not accept the departure of truth, duty, and loyalty that he represents. In this country right matters, and so does truth. Truth is not partisan. If we allow truthful voices to be silenced, if we ignore their warnings, eventually there will be no one left to warn us.
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--Trump’s Properties Charging Secret Service Hefty Rates For Stays

The Secret Service is spending big at President Donald Trump ’ s properties , forcing taxpayers to foot the bill .
According to invoices obtained by the Washington Post and its unnamed sources , the Trump Organization charged the President ’ s security detail $ 650 per night in 2017 for their stays at Mar-A-Lago dozens of times .
In the same year , Trump ’ s company also charged Secret Service a rate of $ 17,000 a month when agents stayed at a cottage merely consisting of three bedrooms at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates dropped to $ 396 for the Secret Service , but the Post noted that agents had longer stays and used more rooms that year .
Sometimes there were days when President wasn ’ t even at the luxury properties the Secret Service had booked .
Those properties charged the government full price anyway .
Trump ’ s use of his presidency to promote or pour money into his businesses has been a persistent issue , whether he ’ s making unnecessary stops at his golf clubs while traveling ( and having Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or insisting that his resort host the G-7 summit .

The Secret Service is spending big at President Donald Trump’s properties, forcing taxpayers to foot the bill.
According to invoices obtained by the Washington Post and its unnamed sources, the Trump Organization charged the President’s security detail $650 per night in 2017 for their stays at Mar-A-Lago dozens of times.
In the same year, Trump’s company also charged Secret Service a rate of $17,000 a month when agents stayed at a cottage merely consisting of three bedrooms at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
In 2018, Mar-A-Lago’s nightly rates dropped to $396 for the Secret Service, but the Post noted that agents had longer stays and used more rooms that year.
Sometimes there were days when President wasn’t even at the luxury properties the Secret Service had booked. Those properties charged the government full price anyway.
Trump’s use of his presidency to promote or pour money into his businesses has been a persistent issue, whether he’s making unnecessary stops at his golf clubs while traveling (and having Vice President Mike Pence do the same) or insisting that his resort host the G-7 summit.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--Trump Thinks Pelosi Broke The Law When She Ripped His Speech

President Trump is aiming his “ lock her up ” ire at a new target : House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) .
During a pool spray Friday morning , Trump declared that Pelosi “ broke the law ” when she ripped her copy of his State of the Union speech after he finished speaking on Tuesday evening .
He claimed that it ’ s “ illegal ” to rip an official document .
“ Well , I thought it was a terrible thing when she ripped up the speech .
First of all , it ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed .
It illegal what she did .
She broke the law , ” he said .
The assertion is rich given Trump ’ s well-documented penchant for ripping papers into tiny pieces after he ’ s done reading them .
Politico reported in 2018 that White House aides could not convince the President to break his paper-ripping habit , so it became the job of career staffers in the records management office to tape official documents he ’ s torn into bits back together .
Trump also said Friday that he thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expunged because he was acquitted by the Senate .

President Trump is aiming his “lock her up” ire at a new target: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
During a pool spray Friday morning, Trump declared that Pelosi “broke the law” when she ripped her copy of his State of the Union speech after he finished speaking on Tuesday evening. He claimed that it’s “illegal” to rip an official document.
“Well, I thought it was a terrible thing when she ripped up the speech. First of all, it’s an official document. You’re not allowed. It illegal what she did. She broke the law,” he said.
yes, ripping a piece of paper is illegal pic.twitter.com/v3VoSQ2ylb — Nicole Lafond (@Nicole_Lafond) February 7, 2020
The assertion is rich given Trump’s well-documented penchant for ripping papers into tiny pieces after he’s done reading them. Politico reported in 2018 that White House aides could not convince the President to break his paper-ripping habit, so it became the job of career staffers in the records management office to tape official documents he’s torn into bits back together.
Trump also said Friday that he thinks his historical impeachment in the House should be expunged because he was acquitted by the Senate.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--CNN: Mulvaney In Jeopardy Following Trump’s Acquittal In Impeachment Trial

The knives are out now that President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment saga has come to a close , and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney may become one of the casualties .
CNN reported on Friday morning that Trump may oust Mulvaney after having waited through the House impeachment investigation and the subsequent Senate impeachment trial to make any staffing shake-ups .
However , Trump doesn ’ t want Mulvaney removed until he can find a replacement , according to White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins .
Though nothing has been decided yet , outgoing Rep. Mark Meadows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defender during the impeachment process , is reportedly the top candidate for the job .
He announced in December that he would retire at the end of his term and hinted at potentially joining the Trump team “ officially.
” Trump has reportedly grown unhappy with Mulvaney after the White House official ’ s disastrous presser in October during which he fully admitted to a quid pro quo with Ukraine over U.S. military aid to the European country and an investigation into Joe Biden .
Mulvaney walked back his remark several hours later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expel Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and potentially others in retaliation for testifying in the impeachment investigation .

The knives are out now that President Donald Trump’s impeachment saga has come to a close, and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney may become one of the casualties.
CNN reported on Friday morning that Trump may oust Mulvaney after having waited through the House impeachment investigation and the subsequent Senate impeachment trial to make any staffing shake-ups.
However, Trump doesn’t want Mulvaney removed until he can find a replacement, according to White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins.
Though nothing has been decided yet, outgoing Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), a trusty Trump defender during the impeachment process, is reportedly the top candidate for the job. He announced in December that he would retire at the end of his term and hinted at potentially joining the Trump team “officially.”
CNN reports Trump might have Mick Mulvaney kicked out now that impeachment is over. pic.twitter.com/71z6oWc84w — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 7, 2020
Trump has reportedly grown unhappy with Mulvaney after the White House official’s disastrous presser in October during which he fully admitted to a quid pro quo with Ukraine over U.S. military aid to the European country and an investigation into Joe Biden. Mulvaney walked back his remark several hours later.
The White House is also aiming to expel Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and potentially others in retaliation for testifying in the impeachment investigation.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--READ: DC Circuit Tosses Emoluments Lawsuit By Members Of Congress

A D.C. appeals court threw out a lawsuit on Friday accusing President Trump of violating the Constitution ’ s Emoluments Clause , ruling that the lawmakers who filed the case lacked standing to sue .
Democratic members of Congress sued Trump in June 2017 over his alleged violation of the Emoluments Clause , which prohibits presidents from receiving foreign payments while in office .
The lawmakers had alleged that Trump ’ s continued ownership of his D.C. hotel and other businesses meant that he was receiving payments from foreign officials .
But in a per curiam opinion a three-judge panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawmakers could not use the judiciary to settle the dispute .
Justice Department attorneys representing Trump in the case had argued that Congress can not resort to the courts to resolve disputes with the executive branch .
“ The Members can , and likely will , continue to use their weighty voices to make their case to the American people , their colleagues in the Congress and the President himself , all of whom are free to engage that argument as they see fit , ” the opinion reads .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not — participate in this debate .
The Constitution permits the Judiciary to speak only in the context of an Article III case or controversy and this lawsuit presents neither.
” Last year , a lower court ruled against Trump and found that the members of Congress did have standing to sue over the alleged Emoluments Clause violation .
“ Here , regardless of rigor , our conclusion is straightforward because the Members—29 Senators and 186 Members of the House of Representatives—do not constitute a majority of either body and are , therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President ’ s acceptance of foreign emoluments , ” the opinion reads .
The court held that because the Democratic lawmakers did not constitute a majority of Congress , they could not bring a lawsuit on behalf of the whole legislature .
The lawsuit , therefore , was no different from one filed “ by a single member.
” The decision comes in one of three separate lawsuits accusing the President of violating the Constitution ’ s ban on accepting foreign emoluments .
A second suit – brought by the D.C. and Maryland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond after the court reheard the case en banc following its dismissal by an earlier panel .
In the third case , filed in Manhattan federal court , some local restaurants and hotels have claimed that Trump ’ s alleged receipt of foreign emoluments puts them at an unfair competitive advantage .

A D.C. appeals court threw out a lawsuit on Friday accusing President Trump of violating the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, ruling that the lawmakers who filed the case lacked standing to sue.
Democratic members of Congress sued Trump in June 2017 over his alleged violation of the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits presidents from receiving foreign payments while in office.
The lawmakers had alleged that Trump’s continued ownership of his D.C. hotel and other businesses meant that he was receiving payments from foreign officials.
But in a per curiam opinion a three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit ruled that the lawmakers could not use the judiciary to settle the dispute. Justice Department attorneys representing Trump in the case had argued that Congress cannot resort to the courts to resolve disputes with the executive branch.
“The Members can, and likely will, continue to use their weighty voices to make their case to the American people, their colleagues in the Congress and the President himself, all of whom are free to engage that argument as they see fit,” the opinion reads. “But we will not — indeed we cannot — participate in this debate. The Constitution permits the Judiciary to speak only in the context of an Article III case or controversy and this lawsuit presents neither.”
Last year, a lower court ruled against Trump and found that the members of Congress did have standing to sue over the alleged Emoluments Clause violation.
“Here, regardless of rigor, our conclusion is straightforward because the Members—29 Senators and 186 Members of the House of Representatives—do not constitute a majority of either body and are, therefore, powerless to approve or deny the President’s acceptance of foreign emoluments,” the opinion reads.
The court held that because the Democratic lawmakers did not constitute a majority of Congress, they could not bring a lawsuit on behalf of the whole legislature. The lawsuit, therefore, was no different from one filed “by a single member.”
The decision comes in one of three separate lawsuits accusing the President of violating the Constitution’s ban on accepting foreign emoluments.
A second suit – brought by the D.C. and Maryland attorneys general – is currently awaiting resolution at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond after the court reheard the case en banc following its dismissal by an earlier panel.
In the third case, filed in Manhattan federal court, some local restaurants and hotels have claimed that Trump’s alleged receipt of foreign emoluments puts them at an unfair competitive advantage.
Read the opinion here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--Reports: Trump Set To Boot Key Impeachment Witness Out Of White House

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is expected to pay a price for providing crucial testimony in the House ’ s impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump ’ s Ukraine pressure campaign , according to multiple reports late Thursday .
According to Bloomberg News and the Washington Post , Trump is posed to have Vindman reassigned from his position as director for European affairs on the White House National Security Council back to the Department of Defense in the coming days .
The White House will attempt to dispel the appearance of retaliation against the military official by portraying his removal as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the name of efficiency , Bloomberg News reported .
That was reason for Vindman ’ s potential expulsion provided by National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien back in November when asked if Vindman would continue working for the council .
Unnamed officials told the Post that Trump has been privately mocking Vindman for wearing his military uniform during the impeachment hearing and his manner of speech .
The Post and Bloomberg both reported that Vindman may not be the only witness to be expelled for their participation in the impeachment proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial on Wednesday .
The following day , he gave a victory speech in the White House in which he ranted and raved against those who had lead the impeachment proceedings and Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) , who defected from his GOP Senate colleagues to vote for Trump ’ s removal in the trial .

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is expected to pay a price for providing crucial testimony in the House’s impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump’s Ukraine pressure campaign, according to multiple reports late Thursday.
According to Bloomberg News and the Washington Post, Trump is posed to have Vindman reassigned from his position as director for European affairs on the White House National Security Council back to the Department of Defense in the coming days.
The White House will attempt to dispel the appearance of retaliation against the military official by portraying his removal as an effort to cut down on staffers in the name of efficiency, Bloomberg News reported.
That was reason for Vindman’s potential expulsion provided by National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien back in November when asked if Vindman would continue working for the council.
Unnamed officials told the Post that Trump has been privately mocking Vindman for wearing his military uniform during the impeachment hearing and his manner of speech.
The Post and Bloomberg both reported that Vindman may not be the only witness to be expelled for their participation in the impeachment proceedings or otherwise perceived disloyalty to Trump.
Trump was acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial on Wednesday. The following day, he gave a victory speech in the White House in which he ranted and raved against those who had lead the impeachment proceedings and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who defected from his GOP Senate colleagues to vote for Trump’s removal in the trial.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-07--No Iowa Winner Declared Yet After Final Results Released, Sanders And Buttigieg Still Stuck In Virtu

No Iowa Winner Declared Yet After Final Results Released, Sanders And Buttigieg Still Stuck In Virtual Tie

Oh , did you think we were going to find out who ’ s been officially declared the Iowa winner by now ?
Please .
2020 presidential primary rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg are still left in a virtual tie even after all the Iowa precincts reported their final caucus results on Thursday night .
The final results have Buttigieg and Sanders winning 26.2 % and 26.1 % of Iowa ’ s SDEs , respectively ; the same razor-thin difference seen earlier on Thursday when 97 % of precincts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press said it is “ unable to declare a winner ” even after the Iowa Democratic Party ( IDP ) released all the results .
Buttigieg lead by two SDEs with his total of 564 to Sanders ’ 562 , while Sanders lead the popular vote with his total of 45,826 to Buttigieg ’ s 43,195 .
Both candidates have declared victory in the state this week as the IDP scrambled to clean up the disaster of Tuesday ’ s caucuses caused by a faulty vote tallying app and pro-Trump trolls reportedly flooding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chair Tom Perez called on the IDP to begin a recanvass of the caucus votes on Thursday afternoon , saying that “ enough is enough.
” IDP Chair Tony Price released a statement that did not give a direct response to Perez ’ s request , saying only that the state party would hold a recanvass “ should any presidential campaign ” request it .
Perez told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow that he was calling for a recanvass in individual precincts , not statewide .
“ The reason why I think it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that every Iowa voter knows that their vote was counted , ” he said .
“ And I want to make sure every voter across this country knows that their vote was counted and that we take our commitment to accuracy very seriously.
” Correction : The final results revealed Buttigieg had won 26.2 % of Iowa delegates while Sanders won 26.1 % .
The original story had erroneously stated Buttigieg received 26.1 % of the delegates while Sanders received 26.2 % .

Oh, did you think we were going to find out who’s been officially declared the Iowa winner by now? Please.
2020 presidential primary rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg are still left in a virtual tie even after all the Iowa precincts reported their final caucus results on Thursday night.
The final results have Buttigieg and Sanders winning 26.2% and 26.1% of Iowa’s SDEs, respectively; the same razor-thin difference seen earlier on Thursday when 97% of precincts had reported their votes. The Associated Press said it is “unable to declare a winner” even after the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) released all the results.
Buttigieg lead by two SDEs with his total of 564 to Sanders’ 562, while Sanders lead the popular vote with his total of 45,826 to Buttigieg’s 43,195.
Both candidates have declared victory in the state this week as the IDP scrambled to clean up the disaster of Tuesday’s caucuses caused by a faulty vote tallying app and pro-Trump trolls reportedly flooding the caucus hotlines.
Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez called on the IDP to begin a recanvass of the caucus votes on Thursday afternoon, saying that “enough is enough.” IDP Chair Tony Price released a statement that did not give a direct response to Perez’s request, saying only that the state party would hold a recanvass “should any presidential campaign” request it.
Perez told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow that he was calling for a recanvass in individual precincts, not statewide.
“The reason why I think it’s important is because I want to make sure that every Iowa voter knows that their vote was counted,” he said. “And I want to make sure every voter across this country knows that their vote was counted and that we take our commitment to accuracy very seriously.”
Tom Perez says DNC is calling for "individual precincts" to be recanvassed in Iowa. pic.twitter.com/nF114PUpb4 — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 7, 2020
Correction: The final results revealed Buttigieg had won 26.2% of Iowa delegates while Sanders won 26.1%. The original story had erroneously stated Buttigieg received 26.1% of the delegates while Sanders received 26.2%.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-09--4 Key Takeaways From Dems’ Dizzying Pre-NH Primary TV Appearances

With just two days to go before the New Hampshire primary , Democratic candidates ramped up their appearances on Sunday morning news programs .
While former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) gave exclusive interviews to ABC News , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg made the rounds on CNN , CBS and Fox News in addition to ABC News .
Here are the key takeaways from a hectic Sunday morning interview spree : A day after releasing a campaign ad that mocks Buttigieg ’ s experience as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told ABC ’ s George Stephanopolous that he “ didn ’ t attack Pete ” but that “ Pete ’ s been attacking me.
” “ He ’ s been saying that the reason we ’ re in the problem right now is because of the recent past , ” Biden said .
“ That ’ s eight years of Obama and me .
I don ’ t get that .
I don ’ t understand that .
And I think he has completely misunderstood or misrepresented my record .
I have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an awful lot done , both as a senator and as vice president.
” Buttigieg defends himself after Biden ’ s “ he ’ s no Obama ” jab Following Biden ’ s post-Friday debate remark that Buttigieg is “ no Barack Obama ” given how his mayoral experience pales in comparison to Obama ’ s “ much wider ” experience — which includes his time as an Illinois senator — Chuck Todd of “ Meet the Press ” asked Buttigieg how he feels about Biden “ implying that you are attacking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ had the Obama White Houses ’ back time and time again because they were doing the right thing ” which “ wasn ’ t always easy as a mayor in Indiana.
” “ You know , in fact my first campaign statewide was on a platform of defending the Obama administration ’ s decision to rescue the auto industry because I knew what that meant to my state , ” Buttigieg said .
“ But those achievements were important because they met the moment .
Now we ’ re at a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News ’ Chris Wallace asked Sanders how he plans to “ overcome ” the socialist label that Biden recently criticized — given how he is going to “ need the support not just of liberal , progressive , left-wing Democrats , ” but also “ the support of independents , even conceivably moderate Republicans ” — Sanders responded that “ in many respects we have a socialist society today.
” “ We have a huge budget , puts money into all areas , ” Sanders said .
“ Now Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private business person , he received eight hundred million dollars in tax breaks and subsidies to build luxury housing in New York .
Now , what does that mean , when government gives you eight hundred million dollars in tax breaks and subsidies ?
” Sanders also defended criticism against his “ Medicare For All ” plan on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation.
” “ I am not advocating for the United States government to take over the health care system , ” Sanders said .
“ What I am advocating for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists.
” Warren is unfazed by placing fourth in Iowa caucuses Warren appeared to keep her head up high heading into the New Hampshire primary during an interview with ABC News ’ George Stephanopolous , who pointed out that “ no one has ever gotten the nomination if they don ’ t crack the top two in Iowa and New Hampshire.
” Warren said that she sees that “ it ’ s going to be a long campaign.
” “ When I made the decision not to spend 75 percent of my time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lobbyists , it meant I had a lot more time to go around the country , ” Warren said .
“ I have been to 31 states to do town halls , red states and blue states .
We have about 1,000 people on the ground .
We ’ ve built a campaign to go the distance , and that ’ s what I think is going to happen here .
”

With just two days to go before the New Hampshire primary, Democratic candidates ramped up their appearances on Sunday morning news programs.
While former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) gave exclusive interviews to ABC News, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg made the rounds on CNN, CBS and Fox News in addition to ABC News.
Here are the key takeaways from a hectic Sunday morning interview spree:
Biden denies attacking Buttigieg in campaign ad
A day after releasing a campaign ad that mocks Buttigieg’s experience as South Bend’s mayor, Biden told ABC’s George Stephanopolous that he “didn’t attack Pete” but that “Pete’s been attacking me.”
“He’s been saying that the reason we’re in the problem right now is because of the recent past,” Biden said. “That’s eight years of Obama and me. I don’t get that. I don’t understand that. And I think he has completely misunderstood or misrepresented my record. I have done a great deal. I have gotten an awful lot done, both as a senator and as vice president.”
Watch Biden’s remarks below:
Joe Biden on Buttigieg: “Let’s get something straight here. I didn’t attack Pete. Pete’s been attacking me. He’s been saying the reason we’re in the problem we’re in now is because of the recent past. That’s 8 years of Obama and me. I don’t get that.” https://t.co/nPQ57Pvs7t pic.twitter.com/r2GBbqA3GV — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 9, 2020
Buttigieg defends himself after Biden’s “he’s no Obama” jab
Following Biden’s post-Friday debate remark that Buttigieg is “no Barack Obama” given how his mayoral experience pales in comparison to Obama’s “much wider” experience — which includes his time as an Illinois senator — Chuck Todd of “Meet the Press” asked Buttigieg how he feels about Biden “implying that you are attacking the Obama presidency.”
Buttigieg responded that he “had the Obama White Houses’ back time and time again because they were doing the right thing” which “wasn’t always easy as a mayor in Indiana.”
“You know, in fact my first campaign statewide was on a platform of defending the Obama administration’s decision to rescue the auto industry because I knew what that meant to my state,” Buttigieg said. “But those achievements were important because they met the moment. Now we’re at a different moment. This is 2020.”
Watch Buttigieg’s remarks below:
Buttigieg responds to Biden implying that he's attacking Obama presidency pic.twitter.com/Cpf390RSQs — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 9, 2020
Sanders fields questions regarding his socialist label
When Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked Sanders how he plans to “overcome” the socialist label that Biden recently criticized — given how he is going to “need the support not just of liberal, progressive, left-wing Democrats,” but also “the support of independents, even conceivably moderate Republicans” — Sanders responded that “in many respects we have a socialist society today.”
“We have a huge budget, puts money into all areas,” Sanders said. “Now Donald Trump, before he was President, as a private business person, he received eight hundred million dollars in tax breaks and subsidies to build luxury housing in New York. Now, what does that mean, when government gives you eight hundred million dollars in tax breaks and subsidies?”
Watch Sanders’ remarks on Fox News below:
Chris Wallace asks Bernie Sanders about being labeled as a socialist pic.twitter.com/oSVvMcnvW6 — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 9, 2020
Sanders also defended criticism against his “Medicare For All” plan on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
“I am not advocating for the United States government to take over the health care system,” Sanders said. “What I am advocating for is an expansion of Medicare. Medicare exists.”
Watch Sanders’ remarks on CBS below:
Sanders defends criticism of "Medicare For All" plan pic.twitter.com/k6tKtb9TYK — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 9, 2020
Warren is unfazed by placing third in Iowa caucuses
Warren appeared to keep her head up high heading into the New Hampshire primary during an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopolous, who pointed out that “no one has ever gotten the nomination if they don’t crack the top two in Iowa and New Hampshire.”
Warren said that she sees that “it’s going to be a long campaign.”
“When I made the decision not to spend 75 percent of my time raising money from billionaires and corporate executives and lobbyists, it meant I had a lot more time to go around the country,” Warren said. “I have been to 31 states to do town halls, red states and blue states. We have about 1,000 people on the ground. We’ve built a campaign to go the distance, and that’s what I think is going to happen here.”
Watch Warren’s remarks below:
.@GStephanopoulos: No one has ever gotten the nomination if they don’t crack the top two in Iowa or New Hampshire. Sen. Elizabeth Warren: “Look, the way I see this is it’s going to be a long campaign … we’ve built a campaign to go the distance.” https://t.co/nPQ57Pvs7t pic.twitter.com/7CWr6VyUTJ — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 9, 2020
Ed.Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that Elizabeth Warren came in fourth place rather than third place in the Iowa Caucuses. We regret the error.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-09--DNC Chair Says He Won’t Resign But That He’s ‘Mad As Hell’ About Iowa Caucuses

DNC chair Tom Perez told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper in a Sunday morning interview that he will “ absolutely not ” resign despite criticism in light of the Iowa caucuses , which have yet to declare an official Democratic winner .
After saying that the Iowa caucuses debacle was “ undeniably unacceptable ” and that he ’ s “ mad as hell , ” Perez was asked if Iowa is on the verge of losing its first in the nation caucus status .
“ Well , that ’ s the conversation that will absolutely happen after this election cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the last election cycle , we had a conversation about two really important things , superdelegate reform , and the primary caucus issue that we ’ re discussing now .
And that ’ s going to happen again , I have no doubt about it , because it ’ s very necessary.
” Asked if he takes any responsibility for the Iowa caucuses debacle , Perez replied “ sure ” but that “ the Iowa Democratic Party runs the actual election.
” After Tapper pointed out that the DNC approved the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did a number of things in connection with the plan ” and that it said no to a “ virtual caucus ” where people could vote over the phone due to cybersecurity concerns .
Perez added that the app that led Iowa ’ s Democratic Party to hold off on releasing results Monday night was “ with hindsight , not nearly enough ” pressure-tested .

DNC chair Tom Perez told CNN’s Jake Tapper in a Sunday morning interview that he will “absolutely not” resign despite criticism in light of the Iowa caucuses, which have yet to declare an official Democratic winner.
After saying that the Iowa caucuses debacle was “undeniably unacceptable” and that he’s “mad as hell,” Perez was asked if Iowa is on the verge of losing its first in the nation caucus status.
“Well, that’s the conversation that will absolutely happen after this election cycle,” Perez said. “And after the last election cycle, we had a conversation about two really important things, superdelegate reform, and the primary caucus issue that we’re discussing now. And that’s going to happen again, I have no doubt about it, because it’s very necessary.”
Asked if he takes any responsibility for the Iowa caucuses debacle, Perez replied “sure” but that “the Iowa Democratic Party runs the actual election.”
After Tapper pointed out that the DNC approved the plan, Perez said that the “DNC did a number of things in connection with the plan” and that it said no to a “virtual caucus” where people could vote over the phone due to cybersecurity concerns.
Perez added that the app that led Iowa’s Democratic Party to hold off on releasing results Monday night was “with hindsight, not nearly enough” pressure-tested.
Watch Perez’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-02-09--Giuliani: You’ll See What Trump Did Was ‘Perfectly Justifiable’ Over Next Couple Months

Rudy Giuliani argued that the public will soon see that President Trump ’ s Ukraine pressure campaign was “ perfectly justifiable ” even after his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial .
During an interview with Fox News ’ Maria Bartiromo Sunday morning , Giuliani called Trump ’ s acquittal “ wonderful but it never should have happened ” before teasing that there ’ s more to come in terms of justifying Trump ’ s efforts to dig up false allegations against the Bidens .
“ He didn ’ t do anything wrong , ” Giuliani said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re going to see what he did was perfectly justifiable .
The amount of crimes that Democrats committed in Ukraine are astounding.
” Giuliani went on to stoke the GOP talking point that Biden wanted to protect his son Hunter — who sat on Burisma ’ s board — when then-President Barack Obama sent Joe Biden to Ukraine to fight corruption .
“ When you say investigate Hunter Biden — Joe Biden was the guy who did the bribe , ” Giuliani said .
“ And Joe Biden was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect Burisma.
” Giuliani ’ s latest remarks coincide with Graham ’ s claim during a Sunday morning interview on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” that the Justice Department has set up a “ process ” for Giuliani to send dirt on Biden directly to Attorney General Bill Barr .
The day before Trump ’ s Senate trial acquittal last Wednesday , Giuliani told NPR that the President should “ 100 percent ” investigate Biden even after being acquitted .

Rudy Giuliani argued that the public will soon see that President Trump’s Ukraine pressure campaign was “perfectly justifiable” even after his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial.
During an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo Sunday morning, Giuliani called Trump’s acquittal “wonderful but it never should have happened” before teasing that there’s more to come in terms of justifying Trump’s efforts to dig up false allegations against the Bidens.
“He didn’t do anything wrong,” Giuliani said. “I think over the next couple of months, you’re going to see what he did was perfectly justifiable. The amount of crimes that Democrats committed in Ukraine are astounding.”
Giuliani went on to stoke the GOP talking point that Biden wanted to protect his son Hunter — who sat on Burisma’s board — when then-President Barack Obama sent Joe Biden to Ukraine to fight corruption.
“When you say investigate Hunter Biden — Joe Biden was the guy who did the bribe,” Giuliani said. “And Joe Biden was the guy who took the bribe in order to protect Burisma.”
Giuliani’s latest remarks coincide with Graham’s claim during a Sunday morning interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the Justice Department has set up a “process” for Giuliani to send dirt on Biden directly to Attorney General Bill Barr.
The day before Trump’s Senate trial acquittal last Wednesday, Giuliani told NPR that the President should “100 percent” investigate Biden even after being acquitted.
Watch Giuliani’s remarks below: