buzzfeed--2020-02-12--Andrew Yang Is Dropping Out. He Thinks His Campaign Has Two Big Legacies.

MANCHESTER , New Hampshire — Andrew Yang — the unknown entrepreneur turned Democratic presidential candidate — is ending his presidential campaign .
But the candidate ’ s success might have been the biggest political surprise of 2019 : Yang carried a message about individuals being more than economic metrics and evangelized a monthly payment to every American — otherwise known as universal basic income — all the way to the Democratic debate stage .
“ That will be the most important legacy : If we accelerate the end of poverty in this country — which I believe we already have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this idea is going to go away , ” he said in a phone interview on Tuesday , from the Puritan Conference Center in Manchester , where Yang held his election night rally .
Yang , 45 , believes his campaign advanced a conversation about poverty and technology , and perhaps changed the way candidates can talk to voters in the 2020s .
He outlasted governors and senators in the nominating process , and raised more money than many of them , too .
His bro-ish persona , professed affinity for many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made him popular among Democrats , especially in the early states .
He went from Joe Rogan ’ s podcast and Twitter memes to raising $ 16.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 .
Now , according to a senior aide , he ’ s considering starting an organization to do down-ballot work this year .
“ If anyone had lined up a set of Washington journalists 18 months ago and lined up the candidates , no one would have bet on that , ” he said .
“ One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the institutional gateways are not what they once were.
” “ It ’ s amazing to imagine a campaign that started with my Google contact list and now has over 400,000 donors and millions of Americans who support us , ” he added .
Frequently proclaiming that the opposite of Donald Trump is “ an Asian man who likes math , ” Yang frustrated some , both Asian American and non–Asian American alike , prompting a wider conversations about identity that included Yang himself at times .
On Tuesday , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Asian American man to run for president as a Democrat.
” On the debate stage , Yang relentlessly pitched UBI and the “ fourth industrial revolution ” of automated manufacturing and artificial intelligence .
In person , Yang ’ s campaign message was often much broader : He talks often about the inadequacy of standard economic metrics to capture the well-being of the populace , arguing that the importance of gross domestic product in public life creates a standard where , unless you contribute to the GDP , your humanity doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he talks a lot about the death of retail jobs , and parents who worry about how phones affect their kids .
Yang and his wife , Evelyn , did events directed toward the parents of autistic children and those with special needs .
( Their elder son is autistic . )
The Yangs also both spoke about Evelyn Yang ’ s experience after an obstetrician sexually abused her .
“ We 've been so collectively conditioned that the market knows what we 're all worth , ” Yang said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more and more terrible for more and more people overtime as technology gets stronger and faster.
” He said it “ infuriates ” him that politicians still “ hew to the ” same conversations .
“ My wife said , 'Why is [ it ] that ideas that were so mainstream in the ’ 60s and ’ 70s now seem to require a futuristic Asian man drag us into the light ? '
” he said .
Yang feels his campaign connected with people who are often “ disengaged ” from politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who have family members who have special needs.
” “ I felt great about that , ” he said .
“ I feel great when supporters tell me that the campaign lifted them out of a depression or made them feel better about their future.
” Over the last year , Yang ’ s nonpolitical personality provided a litany of videos across a range of emotions : crowdsurfing in California , dancing in an aerobics class in South Carolina , putting on a choir robe at church in Iowa , and breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who ’ d lost her son to gun violence last summer .
He drew praise , too , for talking about tech issues — like the effect of Amazon on retail — that seemed more engaged with the current dynamic of tech .
“ The other legacy I ’ m proud of is having a different approach to politics where people realize that you can speak to people like people , ” Yang said on Tuesday .
During campaign events , he ’ d often do call-and-response with people in the audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jokes .
“ When I speak at an event and some of my fellow candidates speak at an event , I feel like we ’ re sometimes speaking different languages , ” he said .
“ And the language that I speak is just English , ” he said , laughing .
“ With some numbers thrown in , too.
” The surprise success of his campaign has already engendered a conversation about what ’ s next .
In their presidential endorsement , the New York Times editorial board wrote that Yang is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they hoped “ he decides to get involved in New York politics.
” Yang himself alluded to another campaign in four years during a staff call recently .
At the moment , according to a senior aide , Yang has tentative plans for a new political organization , perhaps focused on down-ballot work to promote candidates with Yang 's `` humanity first '' values and policies .
“ He wants to keep the conversation going and is exploring ways to do so , ” the aide said .
But for now , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Yang has mixed emotions .
“ There ’ s part of me that feels disappointed , like I didn ’ t fulfill some people ’ s goals for this campaign , ” Yang allowed , though he said he tries to maintain a positive outlook .
“ There ’ s also a competitive part of me , too — like I can ’ t believe I lost to these people .
”

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Andrew Yang — the unknown entrepreneur turned Democratic presidential candidate — is ending his presidential campaign.
The candidate’s success over the last year might have been the biggest political surprise of 2019: Yang carried a message about individuals being more than economic metrics and evangelized a monthly payment to every American — otherwise known as universal basic income — all the way to the Democratic debate stage.
“That will be the most important legacy: If we accelerate the end of poverty in this country — which I believe we already have, because I don’t think this idea is going to go away,” he said in a phone interview on Tuesday, from the Puritan Conference Center in Manchester, where Yang held his election night rally.
Yang, 45, believes his campaign advanced a conversation about poverty and technology, and perhaps changed the way candidates can talk to voters in the 2020s. He outlasted governors and senators in the nominating process, and raised more money than many of them, too. His bro-ish persona, professed affinity for many of the other candidates, and easy jokes made him popular among Democrats, especially in the early states. He went from Joe Rogan’s podcast and Twitter memes to raising $16.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Now, according to a senior aide, he’s considering starting an organization to do down-ballot work this year.
“If anyone had lined up a set of Washington journalists 18 months ago and lined up the candidates, no one would have bet on that,” he said. “One of the things this campaign demonstrated [is] that the institutional gateways are not what they once were.”
“It’s amazing to imagine a campaign that started with my Google contact list and now has over 400,000 donors and millions of Americans who support us,” he added.
Frequently proclaiming that the opposite of Donald Trump is “an Asian man who likes math,” Yang frustrated some, both Asian American and non–Asian American alike, prompting a wider conversations about identity that included Yang himself at times. On Tuesday, he said he’s “proud of being the first Asian American man to run for president as a Democrat.”
On the debate stage, Yang relentlessly pitched UBI and the “fourth industrial revolution” of automated manufacturing and artificial intelligence. In person, Yang’s campaign message was often much broader: He talks often about the inadequacy of standard economic metrics to capture the well-being of the populace, arguing that the importance of gross domestic product in public life creates a standard where, unless you contribute to the GDP, your humanity doesn’t count. On the trail, he talks a lot about the death of retail jobs, and parents who worry about how phones affect their kids. Yang and his wife, Evelyn, did events directed toward the parents of autistic children and those with special needs. (Their elder son is autistic.) The Yangs also both spoke about Evelyn Yang’s experience after an obstetrician sexually abused her.
“We've been so collectively conditioned that the market knows what we're all worth,” Yang said on Tuesday. “That's going to be more and more terrible for more and more people overtime as technology gets stronger and faster.”
He said it “infuriates” him that politicians still “hew to the” same conversations. “My wife said, 'Why is [it] that ideas that were so mainstream in the ’60s and ’70s now seem to require a futuristic Asian man drag us into the light?'” he said.
Yang feels his campaign connected with people who are often “disengaged” from politics, “people who consider themselves introverts, people who have family members who have special needs.”
“I felt great about that,” he said. “I feel great when supporters tell me that the campaign lifted them out of a depression or made them feel better about their future.”
Over the last year, Yang’s nonpolitical personality provided a litany of videos across a range of emotions: crowdsurfing in California, dancing in an aerobics class in South Carolina, putting on a choir robe at church in Iowa, and breaking down in tears while talking with a woman who’d lost her son to gun violence last summer. He drew praise, too, for talking about tech issues — like the effect of Amazon on retail — that seemed more engaged with the current dynamic of tech.
“The other legacy I’m proud of is having a different approach to politics where people realize that you can speak to people like people,” Yang said on Tuesday.
During campaign events, he’d often do call-and-response with people in the audience, take questions, and make extensive jokes. “When I speak at an event and some of my fellow candidates speak at an event, I feel like we’re sometimes speaking different languages,” he said.
“And the language that I speak is just English,” he said, laughing. “With some numbers thrown in, too.”
The surprise success of his campaign has already engendered a conversation about what’s next. In their presidential endorsement, the New York Times editorial board wrote that Yang is “engaging and enthusiastic” and that they hoped “he decides to get involved in New York politics.” Yang himself alluded to another campaign in four years during a staff call recently.
At the moment, according to a senior aide, Yang has tentative plans for a new political organization, perhaps focused on down-ballot work to promote candidates with Yang's "humanity first" values and policies.
“He wants to keep the conversation going and is exploring ways to do so,” the aide said.
But for now, it’s just the end of the campaign. Yang has mixed emotions.
“There’s part of me that feels disappointed, like I didn’t fulfill some people’s goals for this campaign,” Yang allowed, though he said he tries to maintain a positive outlook.
“There’s also a competitive part of me, too — like I can’t believe I lost to these people.”


buzzfeed--2020-02-12--Four Prosecutors Quit Hours After The Trump Administration Tried To Lighten A Prison Sentence For Th

Four Prosecutors Quit Hours After The Trump Administration Tried To Lighten A Prison Sentence For The President’s Friend

Four federal prosecutors who rose to national prominence for their role in the Russia probe abruptly resigned their posts at the Justice Department on Tuesday as President Donald Trump and the Justice Department interfered in a case in order to lessen the punishment for Roger Stone , a presidential ally convicted of seven federal crimes .
In a surprise midafternoon filing at the US District Court in Washington , DC , Special Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Zelinsky wrote , `` The Court is advised that the undersigned attorney has resigned effective immediately after this filing as a Special Assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Zelinsky 's filing kicked off a wave of resignations through the early evening .
Within minutes , two other top prosecutors in the case , Jonathan Kravis and Adam Jed , filed their own documents announcing their resignations .
Kravis ’ s filing states that “ he has resigned as an Assistant United States Attorney and therefore no longer represents the government in this matter.
” An hour later , Michael Marando submitted a filing announcing that he was withdrawing from Stone 's trial too — though his did not indicate whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
The four had been lead prosecutors in the case against Stone — a close associate of Trump 's — who is scheduled to be sentenced next Thursday , Feb. 20 .
A jury found Stone guilty on five counts of lying to Congress and one count each of witness tampering and obstruction of Congress in November .
Moments after the first three prosecutors quit , the Justice Department officially asked the court to grant Stone a lighter punishment than the one its own prosecutors had requested just the day before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Zelinsky , Kravis , Jed , and Marando .
Stone was convicted of trying to cover up his communications with Trump allies and WikiLeaks about publishing documents illegally obtained by Russians from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign in order to help Trump ’ s 2016 campaign .
Prosecutors sought a sentence of up to nine years , according to a court filing on Monday night , the Washington Post reported .
But following a splatter of aggrieved tweets from Trump , the Justice Department “ intervened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more lenient sentencing , ” according to the New York Times .
Trump on Tuesday morning had tweeted that the longer sentence would be a “ horrible and very unfair situation ” and “ a miscarriage of justice !
” Trump has not ruled out pardoning Stone .
Hours after the Times report was published , Zelinsky , Kravis , Jed , and Marando filed their notices of resignation .
Zelinksy had worked with Mueller ’ s team since June 2017 .
By late Tuesday afternoon , the Justice Department filed an `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the one requested the day before by the four prosecutors who quit .
`` Based on the facts known to the government , a sentence of between 87 to 108 months ’ imprisonment ... could be considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances , '' said the filing led by Timothy Shea , the interim head of the US attorney ’ s office in Washington , DC , and longtime adviser to Attorney General Bill Barr .
The memo did not suggest a specific sentence , but said leniency was appropriate under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advanced age , '' the relatively short sentences given to others convicted in the Russia probe , and other factors .
`` Ultimately , the government defers to the Court as to what specific sentence is appropriate under the facts and circumstances of this case . ''
A Justice Department official did not immediately respond to questions about the resignations , reports of interference , or apparent efforts to protect Trump ’ s allies for political purposes .
Trump denied that he had spoken to the Justice Department about reducing Stone 's sentencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House Tuesday , but asserted that he had `` the absolute right '' to do so .
Trump went on to say that the original sentencing recommendation was `` ridiculous , '' a `` horrible aberration , '' and `` an insult to our country . ''
“ These are , I guess , the same Mueller people that put everybody through hell .
And I think it is a disgrace , ” he added .
Trump declined to answer whether he ’ ll consider commuting Stone ’ s sentence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about that now.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked the Justice Department 's Office of the Inspector General , an autonomous agency watchdog , to investigate who at DOJ and the White House called for the lighter sentence .
`` This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference , '' Schumer wrote in the letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz .
Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey said in a statement Tuesday , “ This move to protect Donald Trump ’ s felon friend is obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One day after announcing in a federal court that prosecutors would seek a harsh penalty for Donald Trump ’ s advisor , that recommendation is being lightened because of Trump ’ s Twitter temper tantrum , ” he continued .
“ We are seeing a full-frontal assault on the rule of law in America .
Direct political interference in our justice system is a hallmark of a banana republic .
Despite whatever Trump , William Barr , and their helpers think , the United States is a nation of laws and not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested in January 2019 after former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s office indicted him on charges of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange .
WikiLeaks had published emails , obtained by Russians , from the hacked servers of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
Zelinsky told the jury when the trial began in November , “ Evidence will show Roger Stone lied to the House Intelligence Committee because the truth looked bad .
The truth looked bad for the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump.
” Stone and Trump made phone calls in 2016 , prosecutors showed , including the same day the DNC announced it had been hacked , though the content of those phone calls remains unknown .
Although Stone denied being in contact with Assange , who was sequestered in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London , prosecutors presented emails and text messages alleging he was repeatedly in touch with WikiLeaks and people involved in the Trump campaign about publishing the leaks .
In 2016 , Stone had also communicated with Guccifer 2.0 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the DNC 's computers ( Mueller ’ s office later charged 12 Russians with the hack ) .
Stone called his communications “ innocuous.
” Stone also antagonized the court during his trial by posting an image on Instagram that portrayed US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson with what appeared to be gun crosshairs next to her head .
Jackson responded by barring him from speaking publicly about his case or Mueller ’ s investigation for the rest of the trial .
Trump 's personal lawyer , Jay Sekulow , tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement at the time of his arrest .
`` The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else , ” Sekulow said at the time .
“ Rather , the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress . ''
This is a developing story .
Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.

Four federal prosecutors who rose to national prominence for their role in the Russia probe abruptly resigned their posts at the Justice Department on Tuesday as President Donald Trump and the Justice Department interfered in a case in order to lessen the punishment for Roger Stone, a presidential ally convicted of seven federal crimes.
In a surprise midafternoon filing at the US District Court in Washington, DC, Special Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Zelinsky wrote, "The Court is advised that the undersigned attorney has resigned effective immediately after this filing as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for District of Columbia.”
Zelinsky's filing kicked off a wave of resignations through the early evening.
Within minutes, two other top prosecutors in the case, Jonathan Kravis and Adam Jed, filed their own documents announcing their resignations. Kravis’s filing states that “he has resigned as an Assistant United States Attorney and therefore no longer represents the government in this matter.” An hour later, Michael Marando submitted a filing announcing that he was withdrawing from Stone's trial too — though his did not indicate whether he is resigning from his job as well.
The four had been lead prosecutors in the case against Stone — a close associate of Trump's — who is scheduled to be sentenced next Thursday, Feb. 20. A jury found Stone guilty on five counts of lying to Congress and one count each of witness tampering and obstruction of Congress in November.
Moments after the first three prosecutors quit, the Justice Department officially asked the court to grant Stone a lighter punishment than the one its own prosecutors had requested just the day before. The original sentencing filing had been signed by Zelinsky, Kravis, Jed, and Marando.
Stone was convicted of trying to cover up his communications with Trump allies and WikiLeaks about publishing documents illegally obtained by Russians from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign in order to help Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Prosecutors sought a sentence of up to nine years, according to a court filing on Monday night, the Washington Post reported. But following a splatter of aggrieved tweets from Trump, the Justice Department “intervened to overrule” them, pushing for “more lenient sentencing,” according to the New York Times. Trump on Tuesday morning had tweeted that the longer sentence would be a “horrible and very unfair situation” and “a miscarriage of justice!” Trump has not ruled out pardoning Stone.
Hours after the Times report was published, Zelinsky, Kravis, Jed, and Marando filed their notices of resignation. Zelinksy had worked with Mueller’s team since June 2017.
By late Tuesday afternoon, the Justice Department filed an "amended memorandum" proposing a sentence lighter than the one requested the day before by the four prosecutors who quit.
"Based on the facts known to the government, a sentence of between 87 to 108 months’ imprisonment ... could be considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances," said the filing led by Timothy Shea, the interim head of the US attorney’s office in Washington, DC, and longtime adviser to Attorney General Bill Barr.
The memo did not suggest a specific sentence, but said leniency was appropriate under sentencing guidelines based on Stone's "advanced age," the relatively short sentences given to others convicted in the Russia probe, and other factors. "Ultimately, the government defers to the Court as to what specific sentence is appropriate under the facts and circumstances of this case."
A Justice Department official did not immediately respond to questions about the resignations, reports of interference, or apparent efforts to protect Trump’s allies for political purposes.
Trump denied that he had spoken to the Justice Department about reducing Stone's sentencing recommendation during a gaggle with reporters at the White House Tuesday, but asserted that he had "the absolute right" to do so. Trump went on to say that the original sentencing recommendation was "ridiculous," a "horrible aberration," and "an insult to our country."
“These are, I guess, the same Mueller people that put everybody through hell. And I think it is a disgrace,” he added.
Trump declined to answer whether he’ll consider commuting Stone’s sentence, saying he didn’t “want to talk about that now.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General, an autonomous agency watchdog, to investigate who at DOJ and the White House called for the lighter sentence. "This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference," Schumer wrote in the letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz.
Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey said in a statement Tuesday, “This move to protect Donald Trump’s felon friend is obstruction of justice. Plain and simple.
“One day after announcing in a federal court that prosecutors would seek a harsh penalty for Donald Trump’s advisor, that recommendation is being lightened because of Trump’s Twitter temper tantrum,” he continued. “We are seeing a full-frontal assault on the rule of law in America. Direct political interference in our justice system is a hallmark of a banana republic. Despite whatever Trump, William Barr, and their helpers think, the United States is a nation of laws and not an authoritarian’s paradise.”
Stone was arrested in January 2019 after former special counsel Robert Mueller’s office indicted him on charges of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. WikiLeaks had published emails, obtained by Russians, from the hacked servers of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Zelinsky told the jury when the trial began in November, “Evidence will show Roger Stone lied to the House Intelligence Committee because the truth looked bad. The truth looked bad for the Trump campaign and the truth looked bad for Donald Trump.”
Stone and Trump made phone calls in 2016, prosecutors showed, including the same day the DNC announced it had been hacked, though the content of those phone calls remains unknown.
Although Stone denied being in contact with Assange, who was sequestered in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, prosecutors presented emails and text messages alleging he was repeatedly in touch with WikiLeaks and people involved in the Trump campaign about publishing the leaks. In 2016, Stone had also communicated with Guccifer 2.0, who had taken credit for the hack of the DNC's computers (Mueller’s office later charged 12 Russians with the hack). Stone called his communications “innocuous.”
Stone also antagonized the court during his trial by posting an image on Instagram that portrayed US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson with what appeared to be gun crosshairs next to her head. Jackson responded by barring him from speaking publicly about his case or Mueller’s investigation for the rest of the trial.
Trump's personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, tried to distance the president from Stone in a statement at the time of his arrest. "The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else,” Sekulow said at the time. “Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.


buzzfeed--2020-02-12--Sen. Ron Wyden Is Demanding A Wide Range Of Ukraine Documents In Response To Republicans' Biden Inve

Sen. Ron Wyden Is Demanding A Wide Range Of Ukraine Documents In Response To Republicans' Biden Investigation

WASHINGTON — A senior Democratic senator is asking the State Department to turn over a wide range of documents about US policy toward Ukraine in response to Republican requests for records that largely focused on former vice president Joe Biden and his son , Hunter Biden .
On Tuesday , Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden , the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee , sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding documents on Ukraine from both the Obama and Trump administrations , as well as any records on a slew of people connected to Ukraine , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office .
Those people include Rudy Giuliani , President Donald Trump ’ s personal attorney who ran the Ukrainian back-channel campaign at the heart of Trump ’ s impeachment , and Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , the Soviet-born business partners who worked with Giuliani in that effort .
The letter follows two November requests by the Republican chairs of the Senate Finance , Homeland Security , and Judiciary committees to the State Department for records related to the Bidens — specifically , documents on Hunter Biden and the Ukrainian gas company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was vice president and leading America ’ s policy toward Ukraine .
The senators — Sens .
Chuck Grassley , Ron Johnson , and Lindsey Graham — are months into a broad investigation into whether Biden , who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination , misused his position to help his son , though no evidence has emerged to support the theory .
“ As the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee , I am concerned that , in the absence of additional information concerning similar activities during the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information requested by the Senate Committees could create an incomplete and biased record of the State Department 's activities related to Ukraine , ” Wyden wrote .
The committees are expecting around 1,000 pages of documents from the State Department , BuzzFeed News first reported on Thursday .
Wyden ’ s letter said Republican staff members “ have represented that they expect a voluminous production of records from the State Department in the coming days.
” Grassley 's office said Tuesday it was less confident that it would receive the documents in short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Wyden is correct that the State Department is able to produce voluminous documents 'in the coming days ' , but we ’ ve unfortunately not received any firm confirmation from the State Department that records will be produced that soon , '' Taylor Foy , a spokesperson for Grassley , told BuzzFeed News .
The Biden investigation has been a source of public tension between Democrats and Republicans since last week , when Wyden 's office accused the GOP senators of `` turning the Senate into an arm of the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office responded by accusing Democrats of leaking information about the probe .
`` Government oversight is the responsibility of every member of Congress , so Sen. Wyden is well within his right to ask questions as he sees fit , '' Foy of Wyden 's letter .
`` Chairman Grassley won ’ t interfere with his oversight and we hope that courtesy is returned going forward . ''
In addition to records on individuals connected to the Ukraine saga , Wyden 's letter asked for documents “ related to support by Congress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Viktor Shokin , Ukraine ’ s former top prosecutor who was fired in 2016 after a pressure campaign by the West , including Biden , who was dissatisfied with Shokin ’ s ability to root out corruption .
Moreover , Wyden requested “ any State Department records relating to or referencing Hunter Biden 's activities in China , including , in particular , any records generated as part of on-going trade negotiations with China.
” Wyden cited comments Trump made in October encouraging China to investigate the Bidens .
Wyden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records that are responsive to the Republicans ’ requests even if they date to the Trump administration .
“ The requests made in the Senate Committees ' original letter are not restricted by date and a complete response therefore should include records created during the current administration , ” Wyden wrote .
“ However , for the avoidance of doubt , I am specifically requesting any records relevant to the individuals and companies identified in the Senate Committees ' requests generated after January 20 , 2017.
” Spokespeople for Johnson and the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .

WASHINGTON — A senior Democratic senator is asking the State Department to turn over a wide range of documents about US policy toward Ukraine in response to Republican requests for records that largely focused on former vice president Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
On Tuesday, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding documents on Ukraine from both the Obama and Trump administrations, as well as any records on a slew of people connected to Ukraine, according to a copy provided by Wyden’s office. Those people include Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s personal attorney who ran the Ukrainian back-channel campaign at the heart of Trump’s impeachment, and Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, the Soviet-born business partners who worked with Giuliani in that effort.
The letter follows two November requests by the Republican chairs of the Senate Finance, Homeland Security, and Judiciary committees to the State Department for records related to the Bidens — specifically, documents on Hunter Biden and the Ukrainian gas company for which he worked while his father was vice president and leading America’s policy toward Ukraine. The senators — Sens. Chuck Grassley, Ron Johnson, and Lindsey Graham — are months into a broad investigation into whether Biden, who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, misused his position to help his son, though no evidence has emerged to support the theory.
“As the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am concerned that, in the absence of additional information concerning similar activities during the Trump Administration, the Department's production of information requested by the Senate Committees could create an incomplete and biased record of the State Department's activities related to Ukraine,” Wyden wrote.
The committees are expecting around 1,000 pages of documents from the State Department, BuzzFeed News first reported on Thursday. Wyden’s letter said Republican staff members “have represented that they expect a voluminous production of records from the State Department in the coming days.”
Grassley's office said Tuesday it was less confident that it would receive the documents in short order, however. "I hope Sen. Wyden is correct that the State Department is able to produce voluminous documents 'in the coming days', but we’ve unfortunately not received any firm confirmation from the State Department that records will be produced that soon," Taylor Foy, a spokesperson for Grassley, told BuzzFeed News.
The Biden investigation has been a source of public tension between Democrats and Republicans since last week, when Wyden's office accused the GOP senators of "turning the Senate into an arm of the president’s political campaign" and Grassley's office responded by accusing Democrats of leaking information about the probe.
"Government oversight is the responsibility of every member of Congress, so Sen. Wyden is well within his right to ask questions as he sees fit," Foy of Wyden's letter. "Chairman Grassley won’t interfere with his oversight and we hope that courtesy is returned going forward."
In addition to records on individuals connected to the Ukraine saga, Wyden's letter asked for documents “related to support by Congress and the international community for the removal of” Viktor Shokin, Ukraine’s former top prosecutor who was fired in 2016 after a pressure campaign by the West, including Biden, who was dissatisfied with Shokin’s ability to root out corruption.
Moreover, Wyden requested “any State Department records relating to or referencing Hunter Biden's activities in China, including, in particular, any records generated as part of on-going trade negotiations with China.” Wyden cited comments Trump made in October encouraging China to investigate the Bidens.
Wyden’s letter also made clear that he wants records that are responsive to the Republicans’ requests even if they date to the Trump administration. “The requests made in the Senate Committees' original letter are not restricted by date and a complete response therefore should include records created during the current administration,” Wyden wrote. “However, for the avoidance of doubt, I am specifically requesting any records relevant to the individuals and companies identified in the Senate Committees' requests generated after January 20, 2017.”
Spokespeople for Johnson and the State Department did not return a request for comment.


buzzfeed--2020-02-12--Live Results: New Hampshire Democratic Primary

The New Hampshire primary is here — the first presidential primary of 2020 , which mercifully should be much less complicated than whatever happened last week in Iowa .
A few things to know as results come in : New Hampshire is a semi-open primary , so independents can vote in party primaries ( but a registered Republican can ’ t vote in the Democratic primary , for instance ) .
Polls mostly opened around 6 a.m. and will begin to close at 7 p.m. New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner is predicting a historic turnout with a winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know as voting begins about who will win ?
Bernie Sanders has a leg up in polling in the state , which he won convincingly in 2016 .
Pete Buttigieg , the other candidate to come out strong in Iowa , has appeared to gain in the last week .
How important is winning here ?
With just 24 pledged delegates at stake , New Hampshire doesn ’ t have a ton of direct electoral impact , especially relative to states coming up in early March .
But performing well here is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue their campaigns , and a poor result could make it hard for a candidate to raise enough money to keep going into the next two states : Nevada and South Carolina .

The New Hampshire primary is here — the first presidential primary of 2020, which mercifully should be much less complicated than whatever happened last week in Iowa.
A few things to know as results come in: New Hampshire is a semi-open primary, so independents can vote in party primaries (but a registered Republican can’t vote in the Democratic primary, for instance). Polls mostly opened around 6 a.m. and will begin to close at 7 p.m. New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner is predicting a historic turnout with a winner declared around 9:30 p.m.
What do we know as voting begins about who will win? Bernie Sanders has a leg up in polling in the state, which he won convincingly in 2016. Pete Buttigieg, the other candidate to come out strong in Iowa, has appeared to gain in the last week.
How important is winning here? With just 24 pledged delegates at stake, New Hampshire doesn’t have a ton of direct electoral impact, especially relative to states coming up in early March. But performing well here is an important signal of strength for candidates hoping to continue their campaigns, and a poor result could make it hard for a candidate to raise enough money to keep going into the next two states: Nevada and South Carolina.


buzzfeed--2020-02-12--Andrew Yang’s Supporters Are Still Going Strong Despite The End Of His 2020 Bid

Yang ’ s supporters aren ’ t too worried about the results of any of the primaries .
The growth of the campaign 's movement , they said , has pushed ideas like UBI into the national conversation and pushed candidates to talk about issues like automation , even if Yang ’ s actual candidacy has stalled out .
Over the course of the campaign , Yang amassed a large following of supporters online and across the United States , which helped propel his long shot campaign — and his focus on universal basic income and automation — onto the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Andrew Yang dropped out of the presidential race soon after the polls closed in New Hampshire , telling the audience in a Manchester ballroom that the campaign couldn ’ t find a way forward .
The audience here at the Yang watch party started chanting “ 2024 !
” as he told them he was leaving the race .
“ We highlighted the real problems in our communities as our economy is being transformed before our eyes by technology and automation .
Americans know now that when you go to a factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find wall-to-wall immigrants doing work — you find wall-to-wall robot arms and machines doing the work people used to do , ” Yang told the crowd here .
“ We stood on the debate stage and shifted our national conversation to include the Fourth Industrial Revolution — a topic no one wanted to touch.
” Early on in the night , Yang ’ s supporters at the watch party here were lively as initial results rolled in on a CNN broadcast projected onto screens .
They crowded into the room and were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would be ending his campaign .
“ Endings are hard , New Hampshire , but this is not an ending .
This is a beginning , ” Yang told the crowd .
“ This is just the starting line .
This campaign has awakened something fundamental in this country and ourselves.
” “ THIS IS A MOVEMENT !
” someone shouted back from the audience .
“ The Yang Gang has fundamentally shifted the direction of this country and transformed our politics , and we ’ re only continuing to grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we didn ’ t win this election , we are just getting started .
This is the beginning !
This movement is the future of American politics !
This movement is the future of the Democratic Party !
” The vibe was much the same last week in Iowa , where Yang had a disappointing caucus performance .
Yang himself had shown up to a packed high school gym in West Des Moines to make his pitch to Iowans just minutes before they were set to caucus ; he failed to reach viability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered in the gym .
His supporters there also said they didn ’ t care about how Yang finished , and they were still supportive of his message .
They pointed to the crowd of nearly 1,400 people who showed up to his final rally in Des Moines on Saturday night before the caucus , the thousands of fans who ’ ve defended and funded him online , and the conversations on the debate stage about UBI .
“ If we want to talk about numbers and support , Bernie Sanders had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moines — and we had a rally five or six hours after him , and when you ’ re outnumbering Bernie , that ’ s a pretty big deal , ” said Marc Kalockow , a 21-year-old volunteer photographer from Detroit who followed the campaign across the country .
“ Myself , Andrew Yang , and a lot of people in the Yang Gang were Bernie 2016 people , and we can understand the energy and base that Bernie has , and how we ’ re showing this record number of growth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and how it ’ s translating to all of this hype.
” In New Hampshire , after Yang announced he was leaving the race , supporters here told BuzzFeed News that they were going to continue pushing the Democratic Party to support his ideas .
“ There are so many people who are falling through the cracks , and there are people who are living under bridges across the country .
And if they had a universal basic income , they ’ d be on their way toward being OK , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashua , told BuzzFeed News .
“ I think this is a whole movement .
It ’ s a whole paradigm shift .
He was the only one articulating things like this.
” “ We stuck with him because we wanted him to have a strong enough message so that these other candidates will see people agree with him , and maybe he ’ s someone who should be in a cabinet position , ” Hugenberger added .
“ I don ’ t feel bad that he lost the presidency .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the presidency , but we haven ’ t lost the war of getting the message out.
” Nathan Stalder , a Yang precinct captain from Martensdale , Iowa , also said he believes the growth of their movement over the past two years was more important than the results in Iowa .
He pointed to the support Sanders was able to garner after running for the Democratic nomination in 2015 .
“ If you look at Biden , Sanders , Warren — you knew they were going to put up numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The good thing is we ’ ve gone from no one knowing to maybe 8 out of 10 knowing who he is.
” “ Just like Bernie last time , I think he has that potential — and I wish it would be this term , ” he added .
Yang supporters in Iowa and New Hampshire pointed to Sanders making Medicare for All a popular position among Democrats after the 2016 election as an example of the influence they hope Yang ’ s campaign will have on making UBI and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates embrace .
“ I think that the more time goes on , the more his message is going to resonate — because these problems aren ’ t going to go away , ” Eddie Berke , a Yang supporter from New Hampshire told BuzzFeed News at the Manchester party .
“ Even this cycle you can hear people start to echo him .
He was a leading voice , but he just didn ’ t have the name recognition to get the votes.
” While supporters mingled excitedly in the room here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d been following Yang around the country and who , overwhelmed by the news , was crying .
“ Whatever you thought Yang would do as president for your family , the Yang Gang will handle now , ” they told him .
As staff members started breaking down the stage , Vermin Supreme , a New Hampshire political legend and frequent candidate known for wearing a boot over his head , climbed onstage to say hello to the remaining members of the crowd who were still talking about Yang .

“We highlighted the real problems in our communities as our economy is being transformed before our eyes by technology and automation. Americans know now that when you go to a factory in Michigan, you don’t find wall-to-wall immigrants doing work — you find wall-to-wall robot arms and machines doing the work people used to do,” Yang told the crowd here. “We stood on the debate stage and shifted our national conversation to include the Fourth Industrial Revolution — a topic no one wanted to touch.”
Early on in the night, Yang’s supporters at the watch party here were lively as initial results rolled in on a CNN broadcast projected onto screens. They crowded into the room and were just as raucous when Yang told the crowd that he would be ending his campaign.
“Endings are hard, New Hampshire, but this is not an ending. This is a beginning,” Yang told the crowd. “This is just the starting line. This campaign has awakened something fundamental in this country and ourselves.”
“THIS IS A MOVEMENT!” someone shouted back from the audience.
“The Yang Gang has fundamentally shifted the direction of this country and transformed our politics, and we’re only continuing to grow,” Yang said. “While we didn’t win this election, we are just getting started. This is the beginning! This movement is the future of American politics! This movement is the future of the Democratic Party!”
The vibe was much the same last week in Iowa, where Yang had a disappointing caucus performance. Yang himself had shown up to a packed high school gym in West Des Moines to make his pitch to Iowans just minutes before they were set to caucus; he failed to reach viability in both of the precincts that had gathered in the gym.
His supporters there also said they didn’t care about how Yang finished, and they were still supportive of his message. They pointed to the crowd of nearly 1,400 people who showed up to his final rally in Des Moines on Saturday night before the caucus, the thousands of fans who’ve defended and funded him online, and the conversations on the debate stage about UBI.
“If we want to talk about numbers and support, Bernie Sanders had a rally at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines — and we had a rally five or six hours after him, and when you’re outnumbering Bernie, that’s a pretty big deal,” said Marc Kalockow, a 21-year-old volunteer photographer from Detroit who followed the campaign across the country. “Myself, Andrew Yang, and a lot of people in the Yang Gang were Bernie 2016 people, and we can understand the energy and base that Bernie has, and how we’re showing this record number of growth in the Yang Gang and the ground game, and how it’s translating to all of this hype.”
In New Hampshire, after Yang announced he was leaving the race, supporters here told BuzzFeed News that they were going to continue pushing the Democratic Party to support his ideas.
“There are so many people who are falling through the cracks, and there are people who are living under bridges across the country. And if they had a universal basic income, they’d be on their way toward being OK,” Roy Hugenberger, a Yang supporter from Nashua, told BuzzFeed News. “I think this is a whole movement. It’s a whole paradigm shift. He was the only one articulating things like this.”
“We stuck with him because we wanted him to have a strong enough message so that these other candidates will see people agree with him, and maybe he’s someone who should be in a cabinet position,” Hugenberger added. “I don’t feel bad that he lost the presidency. I mean, we may have lost the battle for the presidency, but we haven’t lost the war of getting the message out.”
Nathan Stalder, a Yang precinct captain from Martensdale, Iowa, also said he believes the growth of their movement over the past two years was more important than the results in Iowa. He pointed to the support Sanders was able to garner after running for the Democratic nomination in 2015.
“If you look at Biden, Sanders, Warren — you knew they were going to put up numbers,” Stalder said in Iowa last week. “The good thing is we’ve gone from no one knowing to maybe 8 out of 10 knowing who he is.”
“Just like Bernie last time, I think he has that potential — and I wish it would be this term,” he added.
Yang supporters in Iowa and New Hampshire pointed to Sanders making Medicare for All a popular position among Democrats after the 2016 election as an example of the influence they hope Yang’s campaign will have on making UBI and preparing for automation issues that all Democratic candidates embrace.
“I think that the more time goes on, the more his message is going to resonate — because these problems aren’t going to go away,” Eddie Berke, a Yang supporter from New Hampshire told BuzzFeed News at the Manchester party. “Even this cycle you can hear people start to echo him. He was a leading voice, but he just didn’t have the name recognition to get the votes.”
While supporters mingled excitedly in the room here, staff members comforted a volunteer who’d been following Yang around the country and who, overwhelmed by the news, was crying.
“Whatever you thought Yang would do as president for your family, the Yang Gang will handle now,” they told him.
As staff members started breaking down the stage, Vermin Supreme, a New Hampshire political legend and frequent candidate known for wearing a boot over his head, climbed onstage to say hello to the remaining members of the crowd who were still talking about Yang.
“Boot head head! Boot head head!” the crowd cheered.


buzzfeed--2020-02-13--Andrew Yang’s Supporters Are Still Going Strong Despite The End Of His 2020 Bid


buzzfeed--2020-02-13--Nevada's Influential Culinary Workers Union Isn't Endorsing A Candidate

Nevada 's largest union endorsed no one in the Democratic primary on Thursday .
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 had not been expected to back a candidate in the primary — and it didn ’ t .
But leadership took time , in a closely watched presser , to criticize any health care proposals that might affect what they ’ ve carefully won in Nevada .
`` We 're going to endorse our goals , what we 're doing .
That 's what we 're going to endorse , '' said Geoconda Argüello-Kline , the secretary-treasurer for the union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Joe Biden — who was looking for a late boost as his campaign has struggled in the early states — after a week of tension between the union and Bernie Sanders ' supporters over health care .
( Argüello-Kline called Biden `` our friend '' on Thursday . )
The largest and arguably most influential union in Nevada , the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 ’ s leadership has made it clear that it is not in favor of a Medicare for All proposal because it would ultimately involve giving up union-negotiated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pete Buttigieg as the two likely frontrunners for the endorsement .
( In 2016 , the union did not endorse during the primary , but backed Hillary Clinton in the general election . )
Argüello-Kline said Thursday that members did not vote on the endorsement question but did take surveys .
On Wednesday , the union put out a statement saying it was receiving `` disappointing '' attacks from Sanders supporters , after the Nevada Independent obtained a flyer that leadership distributed to members .
The document , a grid with small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ end Culinary Healthcare ” in a bullet point alongside other details about his proposals and views .
Likewise , the document stated Warren 's Medicare for All plan would `` replace Culinary Healthcare after three-year transition or at end of collective bargaining agreements ” and “ lower drug prices.
” '' It ’ s disappointing that Sen. Sanders ’ supporters have viciously attacked the Culinary Union and working families in Nevada , ” said Argüello-Kline said in a statement on Wednesday , “ simply because our union has provided facts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take away the system of care we have built over eight decades.
” The union ’ s 60,000 members are 54 % Latinx and 15 % Asian , representing workers who keep Las Vegas ’ s billion-dollar casino and hotel industry running .
In 2016 , the union says , 60 % of its membership was registered to vote — including members ’ families .
As of 2019 , the union says , they have approximately 82,400 people registered to vote .
“ The health care issue for the members is number one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December .

Nevada's largest union endorsed no one in the Democratic primary on Thursday.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 had not been expected to back a candidate in the primary — and it didn’t. But leadership took time, in a closely watched presser, to criticize any health care proposals that might affect what they’ve carefully won in Nevada.
"We're going to endorse our goals, what we're doing. That's what we're going to endorse," said Geoconda Argüello-Kline, the secretary-treasurer for the union.
The no-endorsement comes as a blow to Joe Biden — who was looking for a late boost as his campaign has struggled in the early states — after a week of tension between the union and Bernie Sanders' supporters over health care. (Argüello-Kline called Biden "our friend" on Thursday.)
The largest and arguably most influential union in Nevada, the Culinary Workers Union Local 226’s leadership has made it clear that it is not in favor of a Medicare for All proposal because it would ultimately involve giving up union-negotiated health care plans. That left Biden and Pete Buttigieg as the two likely frontrunners for the endorsement. (In 2016, the union did not endorse during the primary, but backed Hillary Clinton in the general election.)
Argüello-Kline said Thursday that members did not vote on the endorsement question but did take surveys.
On Wednesday, the union put out a statement saying it was receiving "disappointing" attacks from Sanders supporters, after the Nevada Independent obtained a flyer that leadership distributed to members. The document, a grid with small print, notably said that Bernie Sanders would “end Culinary Healthcare” in a bullet point alongside other details about his proposals and views. Likewise, the document stated Warren's Medicare for All plan would "replace Culinary Healthcare after three-year transition or at end of collective bargaining agreements” and “lower drug prices.”
"It’s disappointing that Sen. Sanders’ supporters have viciously attacked the Culinary Union and working families in Nevada,” said Argüello-Kline said in a statement on Wednesday, “simply because our union has provided facts on what certain healthcare proposals might do to take away the system of care we have built over eight decades.”
The union’s 60,000 members are 54% Latinx and 15% Asian, representing workers who keep Las Vegas’s billion-dollar casino and hotel industry running. In 2016, the union says, 60% of its membership was registered to vote — including members’ families. As of 2019, the union says, they have approximately 82,400 people registered to vote.
“The health care issue for the members is number one,” said Argüello-Kline told BuzzFeed News in December.


buzzfeed--2020-02-13--The Senate Voted To Block Trump From Attacking Iran

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a war powers resolution Thursday that constrains President Donald Trump ’ s ability to authorize military strikes against Iran .
The resolution from Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine received bipartisan support .
It passed 55–45 with eight Republicans voting with Democrats in favor .
However , Trump has signaled he will veto the resolution , and there are not enough votes in Congress to override the veto .
Kaine introduced the resolution in early January after escalating tensions with Iran culminated in an American strike killing Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Iran responding by firing missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The administration gave Congress a briefing to justify the strike after the fact , which didn ’ t satisfy Democrats and infuriated two administration allies , Republican Sens .
Mike Lee and Rand Paul .
“ The nation should not be at war without a vote of Congress , ” said Kaine Wednesday .
“ Even if he chooses to veto it and we can ’ t override , the will of both bodies and the public they represent , that could be a factor in his decision making.
” At a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gave an optimistic spin .
`` Miracles happen , '' he said .
`` Maybe President Trump will come to his senses and not veto this.
” The resolution would “ direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
” Earlier this year the House passed a similar resolution , though unlike Kaine ’ s , the House version was nonbinding .
In two tweets Wednesday , Trump had urged Republicans to vote against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for our Country ’ s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution .
We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness .
Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani , ” he tweeted .
“ If my hands were tied , Iran would have a field day .
Sends a very bad signal .
The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party .
Don ’ t let it happen !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators — Lee , Paul , Lamar Alexander , Bill Cassidy , Susan Collins , Jerry Moran , Lisa Murkowski , and Todd Young — voted with Democrats to move the resolution forward for a vote .
Those eight Republicans also voted in favor of passing the resolution Thursday .
Lee made pains Wednesday to praise the president as the least war-prone president he has known in his lifetime and stressed that the resolution would not weaken him .
“ This is not about wanting a weak presidency or a weak commander in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper allocation of power between the three branches of government , ” said Lee .
“ There is abundant support [ in Congress ] for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran.
” Article I , section 8 , clause 11 of the Constitution says it is the responsibility of Congress to declare war .
But over the past two decades that power has largely been ceded to the White House as successive presidents have launched hundreds of military strikes around the globe without congressional signoff .
Legally , military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2001 authorization of use of military force that was passed by Congress to respond to the 9/11 attacks , and a 2002 authorization to attack Iraq .
Supporters of Kaine ’ s resolution argue these AUMFs are badly out of date and Congress has the responsibility to vote on authorizing military actions against Iran .
“ Many members of Congress would like to race away from that and say , ‘ No , I ’ d just rather blame the president if it turns out badly.
’ The Constitution doesn ’ t give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Dick Durbin .
The House voted to repeal the 2002 AUMF late last month , but the Senate hasn ’ t addressed the bill .
With the majority of Senate Republicans backing the president , Trump can safely veto Kaine ’ s resolution .
To override the veto would require two-thirds of support in both the House and the Senate .
Last year Congress passed a war powers resolution to end US support of Saudi-backed military intervention in Yemen .
Trump vetoed the resolution and there was not enough support to override @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war powers resolutions an “ unconstitutional intrusion ” on the ability of a president to defend the nation .
Graham said the best thing Congress can do is to cut off funding when they disapprove of military actions .
“ Can you imagine what would happen if our nation had to respond in real time and you had to get 535 members of Congress to agree on anything ?
”

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a war powers resolution Thursday that constrains President Donald Trump’s ability to authorize military strikes against Iran.
The resolution from Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine received bipartisan support. It passed 55–45 with eight Republicans voting with Democrats in favor. However, Trump has signaled he will veto the resolution, and there are not enough votes in Congress to override the veto.
Kaine introduced the resolution in early January after escalating tensions with Iran culminated in an American strike killing Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Iran responding by firing missiles at two American bases in Iraq. The administration gave Congress a briefing to justify the strike after the fact, which didn’t satisfy Democrats and infuriated two administration allies, Republican Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul.
“The nation should not be at war without a vote of Congress,” said Kaine Wednesday. “Even if he chooses to veto it and we can’t override, the will of both bodies and the public they represent, that could be a factor in his decision making.”
At a press conference following Thursday's vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gave an optimistic spin. "Miracles happen," he said. "Maybe President Trump will come to his senses and not veto this.”
The resolution would “direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” Earlier this year the House passed a similar resolution, though unlike Kaine’s, the House version was nonbinding.
In two tweets Wednesday, Trump had urged Republicans to vote against the motion.
“It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani,” he tweeted. “If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen!”
But later that afternoon eight Republican senators — Lee, Paul, Lamar Alexander, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Jerry Moran, Lisa Murkowski, and Todd Young — voted with Democrats to move the resolution forward for a vote. Those eight Republicans also voted in favor of passing the resolution Thursday.
Lee made pains Wednesday to praise the president as the least war-prone president he has known in his lifetime and stressed that the resolution would not weaken him.
“This is not about wanting a weak presidency or a weak commander in chief. This is really about the proper allocation of power between the three branches of government,” said Lee. “There is abundant support [in Congress] for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran.”
Article I, section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution says it is the responsibility of Congress to declare war. But over the past two decades that power has largely been ceded to the White House as successive presidents have launched hundreds of military strikes around the globe without congressional signoff.
Legally, military actions have been justified using the 60-word 2001 authorization of use of military force that was passed by Congress to respond to the 9/11 attacks, and a 2002 authorization to attack Iraq. Supporters of Kaine’s resolution argue these AUMFs are badly out of date and Congress has the responsibility to vote on authorizing military actions against Iran.
“Many members of Congress would like to race away from that and say, ‘No, I’d just rather blame the president if it turns out badly.’ The Constitution doesn’t give us that luxury,” said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin.
The House voted to repeal the 2002 AUMF late last month, but the Senate hasn’t addressed the bill.
With the majority of Senate Republicans backing the president, Trump can safely veto Kaine’s resolution. To override the veto would require two-thirds of support in both the House and the Senate.
Last year Congress passed a war powers resolution to end US support of Saudi-backed military intervention in Yemen. Trump vetoed the resolution and there was not enough support to override it.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham called war powers resolutions an “unconstitutional intrusion” on the ability of a president to defend the nation. Graham said the best thing Congress can do is to cut off funding when they disapprove of military actions.
“Can you imagine what would happen if our nation had to respond in real time and you had to get 535 members of Congress to agree on anything?”
Kadia Goba contributed reporting to this story.


buzzfeed--2020-02-13--Pete Buttigieg Is Winning. But Does He Have A Phase 5?

The former mayor has had a stunning start to the Democratic primary .
But he now has serious issues to deal with , starting with money .
NASHUA , New Hampshire — The weight of his presidential campaign hung on one week in February .
He needed to win in Iowa — the kind of stunning , historic victory that would validate his name across the country .
Then he needed to go to New Hampshire and prove himself there , too .
Pete Buttigieg did both of those things .
But an extraordinary two weeks have left the 38-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency .
After raising tens of millions of dollars last year , his campaign is facing unusual financial pressures having spent much of that money in and on Iowa , leaving some of his organizing staff uncertain if they still have jobs .
And in the contests ahead , he will compete against two well-funded opponents , a steady Bernie Sanders and a strengthening Michael Bloomberg , as he faces an imminent test of his greatest vulnerability : support from voters of color .
Thanks to a chaotic caucus night and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s apparent Iowa victory did not deliver the massive fundraising boost a winner would expect out of the first , much-hyped caucus .
And it did not immediately elevate him exponentially with the voters of color who will decide the next two states on the calendar , Nevada and South Carolina .
On the campaign trail , the candidate ’ s answer to people concerned about his struggles with black voters often hinged on Iowa , and the idea that a victory there would open doors for him with black voters — just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for Barack Obama in 2008 .
In the wake of Iowa , at least one poll showed it was a different moderate candidate who managed to steal away a bigger chunk of black Democrats from Biden : Bloomberg , a billionaire late entry who is now expected to be a serious threat by the time Super Tuesday rolls around .
And in New Hampshire , where he came within reach of beating Sanders on Tuesday , an unexpected surge and third-place finish by yet another moderate , Amy Klobuchar , hurt Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s center .
Buttigieg has early victories under his belt and slightly more delegates than any other candidate , but for a campaign that rallies its supporters around a methodical path forward — Iowa marked , in its own semi-serious Twitter parlance , the initiation of “ phase 4 ” — it ’ s an unusually tenuous position .
On the night a coding error derailed the Iowa caucuses , Buttigieg declared victory anyway .
In a sense , it was the obvious choice for the campaign : Even in the confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers had some confidence he would lead the field in state delegate equivalents — the metric that traditionally determines the winner in Iowa ’ s complex caucus process — but after funneling the large share of their time , money , and staff into the state , they felt they needed to leave Iowa as winners .
Still , the dayslong delay offset their apparent victory with questions about an opaque caucus process and a poorly built smartphone app , stunting what could have been a massive fundraising opportunity .
Sanders eventually declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raw vote total , further complicating any clean success story .
Rep. Anthony Brown of Maryland , a cochair of Buttigieg ’ s campaign , suggested the Iowa aftermath affected the campaign ’ s anticipated bounces in fundraising , polling , and enthusiasm .
“ It ’ s hard to measure .
What do those three bounces look like with a Tuesday morning headline ?
We got about four days of bump , ” Brown said in an interview , acknowledging that each day ’ s bounce was likely smaller than the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it raised $ 4 million in the three days after the caucus showing , though there ’ s no clear picture of how much cash remains on hand after a heavy investment in the first two states .
It was a strong number , but less than Klobuchar 's campaign said it raised in the wake of her debate performance later in the week .
( She also announced that she raised $ 2.5 million in a matter of hours after coming in third in New Hampshire .
Buttigieg as of Thursday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Some on the massive Buttigieg team in Iowa — which hit its peak at about 170 staffers , many of whom moved to Iowa for months to help build a field and political organization from scratch — are now waiting to see whether they will have jobs on the campaign in other states .
Dozens of field organizers were told their jobs were ending for “ budgetary reasons , ” according to two Iowa Democrats close to the Buttigieg operation .
“ When he says plainly we have to do well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no way we can win , then we probably should n't be surprised at where they are financially , ” one of the Democrats said .
Asked about the Iowa staff , Buttigieg spokesperson Ben Halle said the campaign was following redeployment and transition guidelines set by its staff ’ s union contract .
“ When positions in Iowa ended after the caucuses , we 've been offering new positions as they become available as directed by the collective bargaining agreement , ” he said .
“ We 're glad to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new positions on our team . ''
On Wednesday , the Buttigieg campaign announced plans to double its staff in Nevada , another caucus state where an organized field operation is key to a candidate ’ s competitive edge .
Susie Tompkins Buell , one of the party ’ s biggest donors and a central figure helping raise money for Buttigieg , said that the Iowa success has “ recharged ” the community of well-connected wealthy Democrats who can raise large sums as so-called bundlers .
“ People are coming back for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her husband Mark Buell has hosted a number of high-dollar fundraisers for Buttigieg in San Francisco .
“ He still has room to grow .
His investors , they look at it as investing , not bundling — and honestly , I don ’ t know how to put this in words that don ’ t sound ‘ woo woo ’ — they have this sort of feeling of really believing in something .
People feel that .
I feel that myself.
” But another major Buttigieg bundler said he had expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money he was able to raise — and hadn ’ t yet seen one .
Money will be an even greater challenge for Buttigieg now that the race is narrowing in part around Sanders , whose small-dollar donors are a reliable source of tens of millions of dollars through recurring donations , and Bloomberg , who is spending hundreds of millions from his own fortune .
The Iowa spending plan was sound , Michael Halle , a senior strategist on Buttigieg ’ s campaign , said this week in an interview .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The thing no one would have wanted , and you and your colleagues would have destroyed us over , is if we had $ 15 million sitting in the bank and we didn ’ t do well in Iowa and New Hampshire and the argument for the candidacy starts to go away .
... We ’ ve had great fundraising since the caucus and frankly even in the weeks prior to the caucus .
We are confident we are going to have the resources to go compete .
But no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have resources if they can ’ t continue to prove that they can win . ''
The campaign as of Wednesday had more than 100 paid staff in Nevada — including an influx of former Iowa organizers — and 55 in South Carolina , which votes on Feb. 29 .
Beyond Nevada and South Carolina , the campaign is also deploying resources to the Super Tuesday states that vote March 3 .
Buttigieg will visit five of those states — including California , a prime destination for both delegates and raising cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The campaign has staff in every Super Tuesday state and grassroots volunteer teams in every congressional district in those states , an organization built to help boost delegate totals .
The campaign has announced a six-figure advertising push targeting seven Super Tuesday and other later-voting states .
`` Pete ’ s going to have to go in , and we ’ re going to have to do this with the media as well and really close the deal , ” Michael Halle , the senior strategist , said .
“ And that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure that we ’ re getting into communities , especially communities of color , and letting Pete be Pete and get in front of people and make his argument .
What we have seen consistently is that when that happens , our support grows . ''
Campaign advisers aren ’ t planning a major overhaul to Buttigieg ’ s approach or overall message , which in the first two states involved the candidate ’ s pointed overtures to “ future former Republicans.
” Buttigieg presents himself — as a married millennial man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate of generational change and ideological compromise .
But Buttigieg , who frequently acknowledges his shortcomings with voters of color , also debuted some sharper lines in his Tuesday night speech in New Hampshire clearly meant to telegraph the shift to more diverse states .
The multilingual candidate addressed a portion of his remarks to Dreamers in Spanish .
He decried voter suppression and spoke of welcoming “ new allies to our movement ” — a movement that reaches “ into church basements and barbershops , into universities and union halls.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from state Rep. JA Moore , Buttigieg ’ s first endorsement from a black lawmaker in South Carolina .
Brown , the campaign cochair and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus , said there will be efforts to reach faith-based organizations and historically black colleges and universities .
Brown also expects the campaign to emphasize Buttigieg ’ s Douglass Plan , a series of proposals to address systemic racism .
“ Consistency is important , ” Brown said .
“ People in South Carolina can hear what he 's saying whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rapids or Nashua , New Hampshire .
We ’ ll tailor the message to make sure we ’ re speaking to specific concerns , but it will be consistent.
” The theory that voters of color will respond to Buttigieg once he ’ s proven himself a winner and once he spends more time in their communities remains largely untested .
One rival campaign , citing internal data from the only six Iowa precincts where its models showed a majority of caucusgoers were expected to be black , found that Biden and Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Buttigieg campaign has preferred to emphasize a mashup of numbers that show him winning at least 15 % of state delegate equivalents in precincts where more than 20 % of the people are of color .
( Iowa overall is more than 90 % white . )
An Iowa entrance poll from ABC News found Sanders with a big lead among nonwhite caucusgoers , with Buttigieg and Biden bunched together in a distant second tier .
`` There are going to be big swaths of people that are up for grabs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen time and time again that when we can get in front of those people , and people get a sense of Pete ’ s brand and who he is and what he ’ s about , they like him . ''
National surveys since Iowa show Buttigieg improving with voters of color : from 0 % black support pre-Iowa to 4 % post-Iowa in a Quinnipiac poll ; from 1 % nonwhite support to 8 % in a Monmouth poll — the largest jump for any candidate , Bloomberg included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support is not conducive to a winning coalition .
“ I do n't think it ’ s been a lack of effort on Pete ’ s part , ” Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana , a Biden campaign cochair , told BuzzFeed News .
“ I think African Americans are aware of what ’ s at stake .
They ’ re reluctant to nominate the mayor of a small city to go up against Trump.
” Richmond has encouraged Biden to make such contrasts .
Over the weekend , the campaign dropped a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as small when stacked up against Biden ’ s record .
The attack annoyed Buttigieg and his supporters , who accused Biden of belittling smaller cities .
“ I was hurt by it , ” said Nan Whaley , the mayor of Dayton , Ohio , who canvassed for Buttigieg in New Hampshire .
“ You 're really talking about a large portion of the public that has no idea who Pete Buttigieg is today , ” Whaley added .
“ What I know is that when audiences of color get to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Pete ’ s record has been out there — as it should be , how he ’ s done in South Bend — there ’ s been very little coverage of the other candidates on diversity issues .
I can ’ t wait for that.
” Buttigieg ’ s campaign is itself now looking for more coverage .
The campaign , which began its ascent by getting the then-unknown Buttigieg as much free media as possible to boost his name recognition , is again foisting the candidate onto morning news shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks without needing to pay for it .
Often punctual even when on a packed schedule of rallies and town halls , Buttigieg was later than usual the day before the New Hampshire primary and had an afternoon free of campaign stops following a morning meet-and-greet in Plymouth .
NBC News ’ Chuck Todd was among those waiting to interview Buttigieg after that event .
And actor Kevin Costner , on hand to add some celebrity to Buttigieg ’ s final night of campaigning , dashed out of a Milford forum early to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s staff had arranged for him .
It ’ s this type of free media that could sustain Buttigieg if he has to cut back on paid advertising , if the resources spent on Iowa and New Hampshire are not quickly or sufficiently replenished .
“ Fresh off our huge night last night , Pete sat down this morning with @ Morning_Joe , @ NewDay , @ JudyWoodruff , ” Chris Meagher , Buttigieg ’ s national press secretary , tweeted Wednesday morning , hours after the New Hampshire results .
Meagher then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews Buttigieg did , covering Las Vegas , Charleston , South Carolina , several Super Tuesday states , and Pennsylvania — which doesn ’ t vote until April 28 .
Rather than rush to Nevada or South Carolina on Wednesday morning after his second-place New Hampshire finish , Buttigieg rushed to TV .

NASHUA, New Hampshire — The weight of his presidential campaign hung on one week in February. He needed to win in Iowa — the kind of stunning, historic victory that would validate his name across the country. Then he needed to go to New Hampshire and prove himself there, too.
Pete Buttigieg did both of those things. But an extraordinary two weeks have left the 38-year-old former mayor without a clear path to the presidency.
After raising tens of millions of dollars last year, his campaign is facing unusual financial pressures after spending much of that money in and on Iowa, leaving some of his organizing staff uncertain if they still have jobs. And in the contests ahead, he will compete against two well-funded opponents, a steady Bernie Sanders and a strengthening Michael Bloomberg, as he faces an imminent test of his greatest vulnerability: support from voters of color.
Thanks to a chaotic caucus night and a near tie with Sanders, Buttigieg’s apparent Iowa victory did not deliver the massive fundraising boost a winner would expect out of the first, much-hyped caucus. And it did not immediately elevate him exponentially with the voters of color who will decide the next two states on the calendar, Nevada and South Carolina. On the campaign trail, the candidate’s answer to people concerned about his struggles with black voters often hinged on Iowa, and the idea that a victory there would open doors for him with black voters — just as it did, his aides said, for Barack Obama in 2008.
In the wake of Iowa, at least one poll showed it was a different moderate candidate who managed to steal away a bigger chunk of black Democrats from Biden: Bloomberg, a billionaire late entry who is now expected to be a serious threat by the time Super Tuesday rolls around. And in New Hampshire, where he came within reach of beating Sanders on Tuesday, an unexpected surge and third-place finish by yet another moderate, Amy Klobuchar, hurt Buttigieg’s chances to claim the party’s center.
Buttigieg has early victories under his belt and slightly more delegates than any other candidate, but for a campaign that rallies its supporters around a methodical path forward — Iowa marked, in its own semi-serious Twitter parlance, the initiation of “phase 4” — it’s an unusually tenuous position.
On the night a coding error derailed the Iowa caucuses, Buttigieg declared victory anyway. In a sense, it was the obvious choice for the campaign: Even in the confusion of that night, Buttigieg’s advisers had some confidence he would lead the field in state delegate equivalents — the metric that traditionally determines the winner in Iowa’s complex caucus process — but after funneling the large share of their time, money, and staff into the state, they felt they needed to leave Iowa as winners.
Still, the dayslong delay offset their apparent victory with questions about an opaque caucus process and a poorly built smartphone app, stunting what could have been a massive fundraising opportunity. Sanders eventually declared victory as well, based on the raw vote total, further complicating any clean success story.
Rep. Anthony Brown of Maryland, a cochair of Buttigieg’s campaign, suggested the Iowa aftermath affected the campaign’s anticipated bounces in fundraising, polling, and enthusiasm.
“It’s hard to measure. What do those three bounces look like with a Tuesday morning headline? We got about four days of bump,” Brown said in an interview, acknowledging that each day’s bounce was likely smaller than the day before.
Buttigieg’s campaign announced it raised $4 million in the three days after the caucus showing, though there’s no clear picture of how much cash remains on hand after a heavy investment in the first two states. It was a strong number, but less than Klobuchar's campaign said it raised in the wake of her debate performance later in the week. (She also announced that she raised $2.5 million in a matter of hours after coming in third in New Hampshire. Buttigieg as of Thursday morning had shared no fundraising specifics post-primary.)
Some on the massive Buttigieg team in Iowa — which hit its peak at about 170 staffers, many of whom moved to Iowa for months to help build a field and political organization from scratch — are now waiting to see whether they will have jobs on the campaign in other states.
Dozens of field organizers were told their jobs were ending for “budgetary reasons,” according to two Iowa Democrats close to the Buttigieg operation. “When he says plainly we have to do well in both of these states, or there is no way we can win, then we probably shouldn't be surprised at where they are financially,” one of the Democrats said.
Asked about the Iowa staff, Buttigieg spokesperson Ben Halle said the campaign was following redeployment and transition guidelines set by its staff’s union contract. “When positions in Iowa ended after the caucuses, we've been offering new positions as they become available as directed by the collective bargaining agreement,” he said. “We're glad to have already offered the vast majority of them new positions on our team."
On Wednesday, the Buttigieg campaign announced plans to double its staff in Nevada, another caucus state where an organized field operation is key to a candidate’s competitive edge.


buzzfeed--2020-02-13--Top Black Democrats Have Urged Tom Perez To Restore Confidence In The DNC

Last week ’ s disastrous Iowa caucus has reawakened a deep existing frustration among some leading black Democrats with their party chair , Tom Perez .
After months of planning by the Democratic National Committee and the Iowa Democratic Party fell apart in Des Moines , top black members of Congress wrote a sternly worded letter to Perez urging him to take responsibility for the mess and take new steps to “ restore confidence ” in the DNC as an institution , summoning him to a meeting about Iowa and , the members of Congress wrote , “ several other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you in person.
” The letter to Perez , dated Feb. 5 , two days after the Iowa caucuses , came from four senior Democrats : Rep. Karen Bass , chair of the Congressional Black Caucus ; Rep. Gregory Meeks , chair of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC ; and Reps. Barbara Lee and Bennie Thompson , top-ranking members of the committee .
The lengthy delay in definitive results in Iowa , the first contest in the nominating process every four years , “ embarrassed ” the party and “ undermined public confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her colleagues wrote , according to a copy of the letter .
The letter arrived at the DNC as Perez had largely been silent on the delay , letting the Iowa Democratic Party chair , longtime state party official Troy Price , shoulder much of the blame and the ongoing public response amid an outcry of questions from reporters and campaigns , while also working to verify and release the last of the caucus results .
“ As chairman of the Democratic National Committee , you bear some responsibility for what happened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elected officials told Perez , detailing measures that should have been taken to prevent the “ unacceptable ” problems , most of which were caused by a coding error in the app designed for reporting results from each caucus site .
“ [ The DNC ] should have known better , ” they wrote .
Some party leaders involved in the drafting process advocated for a sharper rebuke of Perez , according to three Democrats familiar with the letter , but settled for the version that was sent .
Ohio Rep. Marcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Thompson , one of the signatories of the letter , recently called his leadership “ virtually nonexistent.
” “ It ’ s just a matter of time before he ’ s going to go , ” Thompson told Politico last week .
“ Any communication between CBC members and Chairman Perez is private , ” the CBC ’ s communications director Toyin Awesu said of the letter .
Perez responded to the CBC this week with a detailed summary of what went wrong with the app and what the party is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s caucuses in Nevada .
“ At the outset , let me reiterate that what happened in Iowa was completely unacceptable , ” he wrote in a three-page letter on Tuesday , according to a copy provided by the DNC .
“ While the Iowa Democratic Party ( IDP ) runs the Iowa caucuses , we have a shared responsibility , which we take seriously.
” “ I look forward to meeting with you and your fellow members to address questions and concerns about the Iowa caucus process , ” he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the helm of the party , black Democratic leaders have voiced a series of concerns about his leadership .
Throughout his tenure , longtime black party officials have described Perez , a former labor secretary in Barack Obama ’ s cabinet , as a bureaucrat with an impressive resume in government service who lacks both political instincts and an appetite for relationship building and management .
Early on , a number of prominent black activists and elected officials publicly took issue with his staff hires at the DNC , saying the voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In 2018 , several high-ranking black officials made public and private complaints about changes to the party ’ s superdelegate process , which they said weakened the power of black elected officials in the party .
And that year , the CBC conducted and passed a vote of “ no confidence ” in Perez .
Those frustrations and concerns , said the three Democrats familiar with last week ’ s letter drafting process , were easily and quickly brought back to the surface after the Iowa debacle last Monday .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked to release results and move forward from the controversy , Perez ’ s public response has become its own point of contention .
On Thursday afternoon , the day after the letter from CBC leaders arrived , Perez decided to call for the Iowa Democratic Party to recanvass results .
“ Enough is enough , ” he said in a tweet .
Price brushed the request aside , saying the party would instead “ remain focused on collecting and reviewing incoming results ” unless one of the campaigns requested a recanvass .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance both himself and the DNC from what happened in Iowa .
DNC spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told CNN last week that the party ’ s security head had been “ concerned about the use of technology in the election ” and warned the IDP to rely on old-fashioned methods rather than introducing the use of an app .
Hinojosa said those concerns were rebuffed by Iowa Democrats .
The IDP denied that the DNC warned against using the app .
This past Monday , one week after the caucuses , on a conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs across the country let out a torrent of concerns about the implications of the DNC chair deflecting blame on one of his own state chairs , according to two participants .
By the end of the call , party chairs agreed to move on , the participants said .
“ While the Iowa party administers the election , we provide help , ” Perez said in an interview that same night on MSNBC .
“ We have a partnership with our state parties .
We ’ re all in this together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we fall , we fall together .
And we fell short .
And I ’ m here to say , I apologize for that .
I know the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party , there ’ s nobody more disappointed than Troy Price.
” Price announced his resignation two days later .
“ We ’ re learning from our mistakes , ” Perez said .

Last week’s disastrous Iowa caucus has reawakened a deep existing frustration among some leading black Democrats with their party chair, Tom Perez.
After months of planning by the Democratic National Committee and the Iowa Democratic Party fell apart in Des Moines, top black members of Congress wrote a sternly worded letter to Perez urging him to take responsibility for the mess and take new steps to “restore confidence” in the DNC as an institution, summoning him to a meeting about Iowa and, the members of Congress wrote, “several other matters we would like to discuss with you in person.”
The letter to Perez, dated Feb. 5, two days after the Iowa caucuses, came from four senior Democrats: Rep. Karen Bass, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Rep. Gregory Meeks, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC; and Reps. Barbara Lee and Bennie Thompson, top-ranking members of the committee.
The lengthy delay in definitive results in Iowa, the first contest in the nominating process every four years, “embarrassed” the party and “undermined public confidence” in the process, Bass and her colleagues wrote, according to a copy of the letter.
The letter arrived at the DNC as Perez had largely been silent on the delay, letting the Iowa Democratic Party chair, longtime state party official Troy Price, shoulder much of the blame and the ongoing public response amid an outcry of questions from reporters and campaigns, while also working to verify and release the last of the caucus results.
“As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, you bear some responsibility for what happened in Iowa and for the consequences,” the elected officials told Perez, detailing measures that should have been taken to prevent the “unacceptable” problems, most of which were caused by a coding error in the app designed for reporting results from each caucus site.
“[The DNC] should have known better,” they wrote.
Some party leaders involved in the drafting process advocated for a sharper rebuke of Perez, according to three Democrats familiar with the letter, but settled for the version that was sent. Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge has called for his resignation, and Thompson, one of the signatories of the letter, recently called his leadership “virtually nonexistent.”
“It’s just a matter of time before he’s going to go,” Thompson told Politico last week.
“Any communication between CBC members and Chairman Perez is private,” the CBC’s communications director Toyin Awesu said of the letter.
Perez responded to the CBC this week with a detailed summary of what went wrong with the app and what the party is doing to prevent another breakdown during next week’s caucuses in Nevada.
“At the outset, let me reiterate that what happened in Iowa was completely unacceptable,” he wrote in a three-page letter on Tuesday, according to a copy provided by the DNC. “While the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) runs the Iowa caucuses, we have a shared responsibility, which we take seriously.”
“I look forward to meeting with you and your fellow members to address questions and concerns about the Iowa caucus process,” he wrote.
In the three years since Perez took the helm of the party, black Democratic leaders have voiced a series of concerns about his leadership. Throughout his tenure, longtime black party officials have described Perez, a former labor secretary in Barack Obama’s cabinet, as a bureaucrat with an impressive resume in government service who lacks both political instincts and an appetite for relationship building and management.
Early on, a number of prominent black activists and elected officials publicly took issue with his staff hires at the DNC, saying the voices of black women were being “ignored.” In 2018, several high-ranking black officials made public and private complaints about changes to the party’s superdelegate process, which they said weakened the power of black elected officials in the party. And that year, the CBC conducted and passed a vote of “no confidence” in Perez.
Those frustrations and concerns, said the three Democrats familiar with last week’s letter drafting process, were easily and quickly brought back to the surface after the Iowa debacle last Monday.
Over the last week, as Democrats in Iowa worked to release results and move forward from the controversy, Perez’s public response has become its own point of contention.
On Thursday afternoon, the day after the letter from CBC leaders arrived, Perez decided to call for the Iowa Democratic Party to recanvass results. “Enough is enough,” he said in a tweet.
Price brushed the request aside, saying the party would instead “remain focused on collecting and reviewing incoming results” unless one of the campaigns requested a recanvass.
For several days, Perez sought to distance both himself and the DNC from what happened in Iowa. DNC spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told CNN last week that the party’s security head had been “concerned about the use of technology in the election” and warned the IDP to rely on old-fashioned methods rather than introducing the use of an app.
Hinojosa said those concerns were rebuffed by Iowa Democrats. The IDP denied that the DNC warned against using the app.
This past Monday, one week after the caucuses, on a conference call with Perez, Democratic state party chairs across the country let out a torrent of concerns about the implications of the DNC chair deflecting blame on one of his own state chairs, according to two participants. By the end of the call, party chairs agreed to move on, the participants said.
“While the Iowa party administers the election, we provide help,” Perez said in an interview that same night on MSNBC. “We have a partnership with our state parties. We’re all in this together. We all succeed together, and when we fall, we fall together. And we fell short. And I’m here to say, I apologize for that. I know the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, there’s nobody more disappointed than Troy Price.”
Price announced his resignation two days later.
“We’re learning from our mistakes,” Perez said.


buzzfeed--2020-02-13--Live Results: New Hampshire Democratic Primary


buzzfeed--2020-02-14--Nevada's Influential Culinary Workers Union Isn't Endorsing A Candidate