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Bloomberg's spending surpasses $500m as Sanders closes in on Biden in South Carolina – live Bloomberg's spending surpasses $500m as Sanders closes in on Biden in South Carolina – live
(32 minutes later)
Ex-mayor’s spending dwarfs that of any of his opponents while Biden’s lead over Sanders narrows to five pointsEx-mayor’s spending dwarfs that of any of his opponents while Biden’s lead over Sanders narrows to five points
A new survey from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston found Biden and Bernie Sanders are neck and neck among voters in Texas, a key state for the race to the Democratic nomination.
Bernie Sanders is polling at 22.1% there while Joe Biden is 22.5% in the lone star state. Elizabeth Warren is in third place at 18.3%.
The most important issue for voters there, according to the survey, are that the candidate can win the election against Trump.
There differences in support between genders among all candidates except for Sanders: Men were more likely to support Biden and women were more likely to support Warren while men and women were equally likely to support Sanders, the poll found.
Texas will vote in its primary election on March 3.
A number of campaign offices of Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg have been vandalized, his team tweeted on Monday.
In Chicago, Michigan, Ohio, and Utah offices of Bloomberg have been defaced with graffiti criticizing his history of racially-charged policing policies and his extraordinary wealth.
His campaign team said the incidents are indicative of people who use “hateful rhetoric and intimidation to influence this election” and who are “driving our country further and further apart”.
The tweets have sparked a variety of responses, some defending the graffiti and criticizing the former New York City mayor for the policies highlighted by the vandalism.
Hello readers, Kari Paul here to keep you posted on the latest for the next few hours. Stay tuned for updates.Hello readers, Kari Paul here to keep you posted on the latest for the next few hours. Stay tuned for updates.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Kari Paul, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Kari Paul, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Mike Bloomberg has officially spent more than $500 million in his efforts to win the Democratic presidential nomination. His first real test will come next week on Super Tuesday, but his widely panned debate performance in Nevada could hurt his chances.Mike Bloomberg has officially spent more than $500 million in his efforts to win the Democratic presidential nomination. His first real test will come next week on Super Tuesday, but his widely panned debate performance in Nevada could hurt his chances.
Joe Biden’s campaign criticized Bernie Sanders for the frontrunner’s flattering comments about Fidel Castro, which intensified concerns of the effect a Sanders nomination would have on down-ballot Democrats.Joe Biden’s campaign criticized Bernie Sanders for the frontrunner’s flattering comments about Fidel Castro, which intensified concerns of the effect a Sanders nomination would have on down-ballot Democrats.
Trump addressed 100,000 people at a rally in India, where he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Trump addressed 100,000 people at a rally in India, where he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Harvey Weinstein, the film producer who was accused of repeated sexual misconduct, was convicted on two charges, marking a key victory for the #MeToo movement.Harvey Weinstein, the film producer who was accused of repeated sexual misconduct, was convicted on two charges, marking a key victory for the #MeToo movement.
Global markets dropped as fears spread about the coronavirus, which has already claimed 2,600 lives.Global markets dropped as fears spread about the coronavirus, which has already claimed 2,600 lives.
Kari will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Kari will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The US stock market has closed down by more than 1,000 points as fears intensify of a spreading coronavirus.The US stock market has closed down by more than 1,000 points as fears intensify of a spreading coronavirus.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
The Trump administration is expected to ask Congress for funding to help combat the virus, but experts fear they will not request enough money to adequately address the health threat.The Trump administration is expected to ask Congress for funding to help combat the virus, but experts fear they will not request enough money to adequately address the health threat.
A new South Carolina poll out today shows Joe Biden leading by double digits, a result that is a bit at odds with other surveys from the state.A new South Carolina poll out today shows Joe Biden leading by double digits, a result that is a bit at odds with other surveys from the state.
According to PublicPolicyPolling, Biden stands at 36% in South Carolina compared to Bernie Sanders’ 21%. Tom Steyer, who has been in third place in other polls, was tied for fourth place at 7%.According to PublicPolicyPolling, Biden stands at 36% in South Carolina compared to Bernie Sanders’ 21%. Tom Steyer, who has been in third place in other polls, was tied for fourth place at 7%.
If Biden were to win South Carolina by double digits, it would allow him to claim he is the dominate moderate candidate in the race, potentially putting more pressure on candidates like Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar to withdraw.If Biden were to win South Carolina by double digits, it would allow him to claim he is the dominate moderate candidate in the race, potentially putting more pressure on candidates like Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar to withdraw.
But there is reason to be skeptical of those PPP numbers, considering the RealClearPolitics polling average of the state shows Biden up by just 5 points.But there is reason to be skeptical of those PPP numbers, considering the RealClearPolitics polling average of the state shows Biden up by just 5 points.
Joe Biden’s campaign has released a statement criticizing Bernie Sanders for his flattering comments about Fidel Castro.Joe Biden’s campaign has released a statement criticizing Bernie Sanders for his flattering comments about Fidel Castro.
“Make no mistake: Bernie Sanders’ comments on Fidel Castro are a part of a larger pattern throughout his life to embrace autocratic leaders and governments across the globe,” said Biden campaign adviser Cristóbal Alex.“Make no mistake: Bernie Sanders’ comments on Fidel Castro are a part of a larger pattern throughout his life to embrace autocratic leaders and governments across the globe,” said Biden campaign adviser Cristóbal Alex.
“We already have one president who praises dictators and their mob-like tendencies; we don’t need another one.”“We already have one president who praises dictators and their mob-like tendencies; we don’t need another one.”
Democrats in Florida, a state with a large Cuban-American population, have similarly released statements criticizing Sanders for praising Castro’s literacy program.Democrats in Florida, a state with a large Cuban-American population, have similarly released statements criticizing Sanders for praising Castro’s literacy program.
Democratic officials in the state fear Sanders’ potential nomination could have negative down-ballot consequences in Florida, and Biden, who has sought to portray Sanders as unelectable, is clearly trying to capitalize on those concerns.Democratic officials in the state fear Sanders’ potential nomination could have negative down-ballot consequences in Florida, and Biden, who has sought to portray Sanders as unelectable, is clearly trying to capitalize on those concerns.
Set your alarms: Trump will hold a press conference in New Delhi at 6:30 am ET tomorrow.Set your alarms: Trump will hold a press conference in New Delhi at 6:30 am ET tomorrow.
The president has developed a habit of holding long, freewheeling press conferences at the end of his international trips, so the appearance could generate a number of headlines.The president has developed a habit of holding long, freewheeling press conferences at the end of his international trips, so the appearance could generate a number of headlines.
Florida Democrats are trying to distance themselves from some flattering comments Bernie Sanders made about Fidel Castro during his 60 Minutes interview.Florida Democrats are trying to distance themselves from some flattering comments Bernie Sanders made about Fidel Castro during his 60 Minutes interview.
Given Florida’s large Cuban-American population, some Democrats in the state have expressed fears that a Sanders nomination would have negative down-ballot consequences in November.Given Florida’s large Cuban-American population, some Democrats in the state have expressed fears that a Sanders nomination would have negative down-ballot consequences in November.
Sanders’ comments about Castro intensified those concerns. “We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but you know, it’s unfair to simply say everything is bad,” the self-describe democratic socialist said.Sanders’ comments about Castro intensified those concerns. “We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but you know, it’s unfair to simply say everything is bad,” the self-describe democratic socialist said.
“You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?”“You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?”
There are still some results left to count from the Nevada caucuses, but it appears Bernie Sanders won two-thirds of the state’s 36 delegates.There are still some results left to count from the Nevada caucuses, but it appears Bernie Sanders won two-thirds of the state’s 36 delegates.
Many states still need to vote, but Sanders has opened up a large delegate lead early in the race, which could be crucial on Super Tuesday next week.Many states still need to vote, but Sanders has opened up a large delegate lead early in the race, which could be crucial on Super Tuesday next week.
Pete Buttigieg is campaigning in South Carolina, which will hold its presidential primary on Saturday.
The former Indiana mayor joined a march calling for an increased minimum wage:
But some Black Lives Matter protesters were also there for the march, criticizing Buttigieg for previously opposing increases to the minimum wage:
Bernie Sanders appears to be enjoying a bump in national polls thanks to his strong performance in Nevada.
According to Morning Consult’s polling, Sanders’ national standing has increased by four points since the Nevada debate, while his opponents have held steady or slightly dropped.
With Super Tuesday just eight days away, the numbers are another indication that Sanders may soon gain an insurmountable delegate lead.
Coming off his landslide Nevada victory, Bernie Sanders is now investing in South Carolina, which will hold its primary on Saturday.
Joe Biden has said he has built a “firewall” in South Carolina, where more than half of 2016 primary voters were African American.
But a South Carolina poll released yesterday showed Biden’s lead over Sanders narrowing to five points, so Sanders’ team is expressing hope that they may be able to eclipse the former vice-president in the state.
The latest numbers are in, and Mike Bloomberg has spent more than $500m so far on his presidential campaign.
Bloomberg’s spending dwarfs that of any of his opponents, including fellow billionaire Tom Steyer.
The former New York mayor has expressed a willigness to spend up to $1bn on his campaign, though he said it will “hopefully not” cost quite that much.
Bloomberg’s first test will come on Super Tuesday next week, but there are some signs that his support is slipping after his widely panned debate performance.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Harvey Weinstein, the film producer accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, was convicted on two counts, marking a key victory for the #MeToo movement.
Trump held a massive rally in India, where he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “very tough.”
Global markets dropped amid fears of a spreading coronvirus, which has already claimed 2,600 lives.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
With Bernie Sanders’ status as the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary cemented, Republican senator Marco Rubio tweeted a video lamenting the dangers of democratic socialism.
“Democratic socialism sounds benign, but at the core of Democratic socialism is Marxism, and at the core of Marxism is this fake offer that if you turn over more of your individual freedom, we’re going to provide you security. We’re going to provide you free healthcare. We’re going to provide you free education,” Rubio said.
“But the problem is that when they can’t deliver on it or you’re not happy with it, you don’t get your freedoms back.”
Rubio’s video (oddly filmed as he drives a car) likely foreshadows the talking points Republicans will use against Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist, if he wins the nomination.
But some proponents of Sanders’ policies have suggested this line of attack may not be as successful as Republicans think:
Another Democratic congresswoman from Florida has criticized Bernie Sanders for offering some flattering comments about Fidel Castro in his 60 Minutes interview.
Murphy, a moderate Democrat who serves as one of the co-chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition, won her 2018 race by 15 points, but a number of Florida Democrats have voiced concerns about down-ballot effects in heavily Cuban districts if Sanders wins the nomination.
Harvey Weinstein, the film producer whose alleged sexual misconduct inspired the #MeToo movement, has been convicted on two counts.
The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington reports:
Weinstein was found guilty of a criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree, but he was acuitted on the more serious charges of predatory sexual assault and rape in the first degree.
As Ed notes, Weinstein’s conviction marks a victoty in the #MeToo movement:
Senator Amy Klobuchar leads the Democratic primary field in her home state of Minnesota, which will vote on Super Tuesday.
According to a new MPR News/Star Tribune Minnesota poll, Klobuchar is at 29% in Minnesota, compared to frontrunner Bernie Sanders’ 23%. Elizabeth Warren is at 11%, and no other candidate hits double digits.
Although the poll is good news for Klobuchar, who has so far failed to win a single contest, Sanders’ strong second-place position will likely cause some alarm among her advisers.
Sanders’ has had impressive showings in the first three voting states, which will almost certainly help him to attract additional support, and Klobuchar needs to win her home state (at an absolute minimum) to stay alive.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who is overseeing the case of Roger Stone, will hold a closed hearing tomorrow to consider the former Trump associate’s request for a new trial.
Stone, who was sentenced to more than three years in prison last week for obstructing Congress’ Russia investigation, has claimed his trial was tainted due to anti-Trump juror bias.
But Jackson seems unlikely to issue a favorable ruling on his motion for a new trial, considering she praised the jurors for their service when she announced Stone’s sentence last week.