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Impeachment: newly unredacted emails a 'devastating blow' to Trump allies, says Schumer – live Impeachment: newly unredacted emails a 'devastating blow' to Trump allies, says Schumer – live
(32 minutes later)
Senate minority leader made remark on emails about the freeze on Ukraine’s military aidSenate minority leader made remark on emails about the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid
House speaker Nancy Pelosi reacted to news of the newly unredacted emails about the freeze on military aid to Ukraine, arguing the messages demonstrate the need to have a “fair trial” in the Senate.
One of the emails obtained by Just Security includes a message from a senior budget official telling a Pentagon staffer, “Clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold.”
Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer are pressing majority leader Mitch McConnell to call White House officials to testify about the aid freeze in the impeachment trial, but the House speaker has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
Trey Gowdy has said he will not join Trump’s legal team, ending months of speculation about whether the former Republican congressman would help the president secure an acquittal in a Senate impeachment trial.
“The president has good lawyers and more importantly good facts,” Gowdy told McClatchy. “He does not need another lawyer added to his team. He needs the trial to begin and end.”
Gowdy said when he left Congress last year that he was done with politics and would focus on private sector work in his home state of South Carolina, but he then appeared ready to join Trump’s team back in October.
However, Gowdy changed his thinking when it became clear he would have to give up his law firm and his Fox News contributor contract to take on the new role.
Although he will not become one of the president’s lawyers, Gowdy played golf with Trump over the weekend, indicating he will continue to offer advice to Trump as the Senate moves toward an impeachment trial.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign manager stressed that January has to be the campaign’s “best fundraising month to date,” even as the campaign announced that it had a solid fundraising quarter.
In a memo distributed to Democratic donors and obtained by The Guardian, campaign manager Greg Schultz hailed the campaign’s recent $22.7 million haul, noting that it was a 50 percent increase over the last quarter.
But in the two-page memo Schultz also stressed it’s “absolutely critical that January is our best fundraising month to date, so we can continue to make strategic investments throughout the country and perform well in the early states.”
The memo and Schultz’s appeal come as Biden, the Democratic frontrunner, continues to find himself in the middle of the fact on fundraising in yet another quarter and just before voting begins in the early primary states.
Only a few of the more than two dozen Democratic candidates have released their fundraising numbers so far but Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, two of Biden’s chief rivals in the Democratic primary, have outraised him.
Still, Schultz, in the memo, hailed the campaign’s most recent fundraising numbers as a positive sign for Biden. “Thanks to the hard work of many, we’re thrilled to announce that the fourth quarter was our best to date, raising $22.7 million, a 50% growth from last quarter. In addition, 57% of our donors were new this quarter, highlighting the new support our campaign is gaining daily,” Schultz wrote.
“In what is typically a difficult time of the year to raise money, the Vice President’s growing momentum translated directly into strong performances in both online and offline revenue, ensuring that we have the resources we need to enter the next critical phase of this campaign.”
Schultz added that Donald Trump’s repeated criticism at Biden has actually given the campaign a fundraising boost. “In fact, Trump’s attacks have majorly backfired, providing our campaign a fundraising boost and reminding Democratic primary voters what we have been saying all along — Trump does not want Biden to be the nominee because he knows Biden will flat out beat him in November,” Schultz wrote.
“He is so desperate to avoid the electoral defeat he would face against Biden that he got himself impeached soliciting a foreign government in the effort. During impeachment our average digital revenue per day more than doubled, up by 121%, where it was in the weeks preceding impeachment.”
The campaign would always be competing with other candidates on fundraising in the primary, Schultz said, alluding to Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sanders, who both transferred money from their Senate accounts to their presidential campaigns.
“Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden will be spending the vast majority of their time in the coming months where they are most effective — talking with voters in the early states,” Schultz concluded.
“And, because we didn’t transfer tens of millions of dollars from other campaign accounts like our opponents, we will always be playing from behind in the cash race. It is absolutely critical that January is our best fundraising month to date, so we can continue to make strategic investments throughout the country and perform well in the early states.”
Although Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson is laying off her staff nationally, the self-help author apparently has no plans to call it quits.Although Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson is laying off her staff nationally, the self-help author apparently has no plans to call it quits.
According to one of her now-former advisers, Williamson will forge ahead with her longshot bid without any asssistance from staffers in the early voting states.According to one of her now-former advisers, Williamson will forge ahead with her longshot bid without any asssistance from staffers in the early voting states.
The president’s congressional allies appear to be zeroing in on a new talking point to undermine the Senate impeachment trial.The president’s congressional allies appear to be zeroing in on a new talking point to undermine the Senate impeachment trial.
As House speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to avoid transmitting the articles of impeachment, Republican lawmakers are arguing the delay indicates the case is not as “urgent” as Democrats previously claimed.As House speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to avoid transmitting the articles of impeachment, Republican lawmakers are arguing the delay indicates the case is not as “urgent” as Democrats previously claimed.
Senate Republican Josh Hawley said that he intends to introduce a measure Monday to dismiss the impeachment case for “lack of prosecution.”Senate Republican Josh Hawley said that he intends to introduce a measure Monday to dismiss the impeachment case for “lack of prosecution.”
Marianne Williamson, the self-help author and Democratic presidential candidate who captured the Internet’s fascination with her early debate performances, has reportedly laid off her campaign staff nationally.Marianne Williamson, the self-help author and Democratic presidential candidate who captured the Internet’s fascination with her early debate performances, has reportedly laid off her campaign staff nationally.
The ABC affiliate WMUR reports:The ABC affiliate WMUR reports:
The news comes hours after Julián Castro announced he was dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary, leaving 14 candidates in the race with a month to go until the Iowa caucuses.The news comes hours after Julián Castro announced he was dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary, leaving 14 candidates in the race with a month to go until the Iowa caucuses.
Congressman Mark Meadows, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, criticized his Democratic colleagues as House leadership continues to delay transmitting the articles of impeachment against the president.Congressman Mark Meadows, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, criticized his Democratic colleagues as House leadership continues to delay transmitting the articles of impeachment against the president.
It’s still unclear when a Senate impeachment trial might begin or what procedures will be adopted, but Mitch McConnell may address those issues tomorrow, when the majority leader is expected to speak on the Senate floor.It’s still unclear when a Senate impeachment trial might begin or what procedures will be adopted, but Mitch McConnell may address those issues tomorrow, when the majority leader is expected to speak on the Senate floor.
But McConnell has dismissed any notion that Democrats’ refusal to transmit the articles will have any effect on trial procedures.But McConnell has dismissed any notion that Democrats’ refusal to transmit the articles will have any effect on trial procedures.
Joe Biden appears to have changed the tagline for his Iowa bus tour, abandoning the “No Malarkey” slogan and adopting “Battle for the Soul of the Nation.”Joe Biden appears to have changed the tagline for his Iowa bus tour, abandoning the “No Malarkey” slogan and adopting “Battle for the Soul of the Nation.”
The “No Malarkey” slogan -- which was a play on the Biden-ism, “That’s a bunch of malarkey!” from the 2012 campaign -- had been mocked as confusing and uninspiring.The “No Malarkey” slogan -- which was a play on the Biden-ism, “That’s a bunch of malarkey!” from the 2012 campaign -- had been mocked as confusing and uninspiring.
The former vice president will be in Iowa through Sunday, hosting community events and kicking off phone banks across the first caucus state.The former vice president will be in Iowa through Sunday, hosting community events and kicking off phone banks across the first caucus state.
The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, said in a tweet that newly unredacted emails about the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid are a “a devastating blow to Senator McConnell’s push to have a trial without the documents and witnesses we’ve requested”.The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, said in a tweet that newly unredacted emails about the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid are a “a devastating blow to Senator McConnell’s push to have a trial without the documents and witnesses we’ve requested”.
Schumer argued the emails underscored the need to have Trump administration officials – including the acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, and former national security adviser John Bolton – testify in a Senate impeachment trial about efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden as the aid was held up.Schumer argued the emails underscored the need to have Trump administration officials – including the acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, and former national security adviser John Bolton – testify in a Senate impeachment trial about efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden as the aid was held up.
Just Security reported on the emails earlier today:Just Security reported on the emails earlier today:
Joe Biden said he raised $22.7 million during the final three months of 2019, his best quarter yet but short of the totals posted by Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg.Joe Biden said he raised $22.7 million during the final three months of 2019, his best quarter yet but short of the totals posted by Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg.
Sanders announced this morning that he raised $34.5 million last quarter, and Buttigieg said yesterday that he hit $24.7 million.Sanders announced this morning that he raised $34.5 million last quarter, and Buttigieg said yesterday that he hit $24.7 million.
Of the four candidates leading the polls, the only Democratic contender who has not yet released fundraising numbers is Elizabeth Warren, but the Massachsuetts senator told supporters Friday that she had only raised $17 million at that point.Of the four candidates leading the polls, the only Democratic contender who has not yet released fundraising numbers is Elizabeth Warren, but the Massachsuetts senator told supporters Friday that she had only raised $17 million at that point.
More than 200 members of Congress, including 39 Republican senators, have signed on to an amicus brief calling on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark case that established a woman’s right to access abortion.More than 200 members of Congress, including 39 Republican senators, have signed on to an amicus brief calling on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark case that established a woman’s right to access abortion.
The brief comes two months before the court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case concerning a Louisiana law restricting access to abortion.The brief comes two months before the court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case concerning a Louisiana law restricting access to abortion.
The Trump administration has announced plans to ban some vaping flavors popular with younger users of the products, but the regulation will include large exemptions that will benefit manufacturers.The Trump administration has announced plans to ban some vaping flavors popular with younger users of the products, but the regulation will include large exemptions that will benefit manufacturers.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Julián Castro dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary, leaving the race without any Latino candidates.Julián Castro dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary, leaving the race without any Latino candidates.
Trump raised $46m during the final quarter of 2019, an impressive haul that the president’s reelection campaign partly credited to anger over last month’s impeachment.Trump raised $46m during the final quarter of 2019, an impressive haul that the president’s reelection campaign partly credited to anger over last month’s impeachment.
Bernie Sanders said he raised $34.5m over the last three months, the largest single-quarter total of any Democratic presidential candidate during this cycle so far.Bernie Sanders said he raised $34.5m over the last three months, the largest single-quarter total of any Democratic presidential candidate during this cycle so far.
The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.
Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who became a key witness in the impeachment inquiry, has offiicially left the post.Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who became a key witness in the impeachment inquiry, has offiicially left the post.
CNN reports:CNN reports:
Bernie Sanders’ impressive fundraising haul during the last quarter of 2019 underscored how much money billionaire Michael Bloomberg is spending on advertising, as a Politico reporter noted.Bernie Sanders’ impressive fundraising haul during the last quarter of 2019 underscored how much money billionaire Michael Bloomberg is spending on advertising, as a Politico reporter noted.
Bloomberg only entered the race in late November, but he has already managed to hit fifth place in a number of national polls.Bloomberg only entered the race in late November, but he has already managed to hit fifth place in a number of national polls.
The former New York mayor has decided to skip campaigning in the four early-voting states, instead focusing on Super Tuesday states like California. Bloomberg has already spent more than $100 million advertising in states that will begin voting in early March.The former New York mayor has decided to skip campaigning in the four early-voting states, instead focusing on Super Tuesday states like California. Bloomberg has already spent more than $100 million advertising in states that will begin voting in early March.
The president’s reelection campaign announced this morning that Trump raised an impressive $46m during the last quarter of 2019, finishing the year with more than $100m in cash on hand.The president’s reelection campaign announced this morning that Trump raised an impressive $46m during the last quarter of 2019, finishing the year with more than $100m in cash on hand.
Trump’s campaign manager credited the president’s impeachment last month with supercharging grassroot donations. “Democrats and the media have been in a sham impeachment frenzy and the president’s campaign only got bigger and stronger with our best fundraising quarter this cycle,” Brad Parscale said in a statement.Trump’s campaign manager credited the president’s impeachment last month with supercharging grassroot donations. “Democrats and the media have been in a sham impeachment frenzy and the president’s campaign only got bigger and stronger with our best fundraising quarter this cycle,” Brad Parscale said in a statement.
Democrats have also financially benefitted from impeachment, raking in millions of dollars after House speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the formal launch of the inquiry in late September.Democrats have also financially benefitted from impeachment, raking in millions of dollars after House speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the formal launch of the inquiry in late September.
But the president’s massive fundraising operation, in combination with the resources of the Republican National Committee and conservative Pacs, will make him a formidable opponent for the eventual Democratic presidential nominee.But the president’s massive fundraising operation, in combination with the resources of the Republican National Committee and conservative Pacs, will make him a formidable opponent for the eventual Democratic presidential nominee.
Hours after Bernie Sanders announced he raised $35 million last quarter, the presidential candidate’s campaign manager said he would not accept big-dollar donations if he won the nomination.Hours after Bernie Sanders announced he raised $35 million last quarter, the presidential candidate’s campaign manager said he would not accept big-dollar donations if he won the nomination.
Sanders has touted his grassroots support, noting the average donaton during the last quarter of 2019 was $18.53. His impressive haul marrked the largest single-quarter fundraising total of any Democratic presidential candidate during this cycle.Sanders has touted his grassroots support, noting the average donaton during the last quarter of 2019 was $18.53. His impressive haul marrked the largest single-quarter fundraising total of any Democratic presidential candidate during this cycle.
One of his opponents, Elizabeth Warren, has similarly said she would forgo big-money fundraisers if she won the nomination, but she clarified she would headline open-press events for the Democratic National Committee.One of his opponents, Elizabeth Warren, has similarly said she would forgo big-money fundraisers if she won the nomination, but she clarified she would headline open-press events for the Democratic National Committee.
Republican senator Chuck Grassley just sent this snarky tweet about the president, aimed at “whoever keeps watch” on Trump at the White House.Republican senator Chuck Grassley just sent this snarky tweet about the president, aimed at “whoever keeps watch” on Trump at the White House.
The Iowa Republican specifically advised Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, to read a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed from conservative commentator Daniel Henninger.The Iowa Republican specifically advised Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, to read a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed from conservative commentator Daniel Henninger.
In the piece, Henninger cites the upheaveals of the “Roaring 20’s” to call for “another wave of creative thought—about politics, culture, education and morality.”In the piece, Henninger cites the upheaveals of the “Roaring 20’s” to call for “another wave of creative thought—about politics, culture, education and morality.”