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| 'Unity, unity, unity': Pelosi insists Democrats will support nominee amid Sanders surge – live | 'Unity, unity, unity': Pelosi insists Democrats will support nominee amid Sanders surge – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| House speaker says party will ‘wholeheartedly’ support whoever earns the nomination: ‘We know how to win. We are all unified’ | House speaker says party will ‘wholeheartedly’ support whoever earns the nomination: ‘We know how to win. We are all unified’ |
| Speaking of Mike Bloomberg, here he is telling Kasie Hunt that he’s “in it to win it”. “Why would I spend all this money and all this time out of my life and all this wear and tear?” he asked. | |
| “I’m running a race and I’m behind with one lap to go, what am I’m going to do, quit?” Bloomberg said. “No, you run harder.” | |
| Mike Bloomberg had to apologize for his legacy of ‘stop-and-frisk’ as New York mayor before he launched his campaign in November. Now, with just days to go to Super Tuesday, he’s apologizing again, this time for referring to transgender people as “he, she, or it” and “some guy in a dress” who enters girls locker rooms. | |
| “It was a poor attempt to describe how some who oppose transgender equality think about this issue—and those words do not reflect my unwavering support for equality for transgender Americans,” Bloomberg said in an exclusive statement to NewNowNext. “I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the members of the transgender community.” | |
| He purportedly spoke to some transgender leaders on a private call Thursday as well, but his campaign declined to name who those leaders were. | |
| Hi all, Vivian Ho on the west coast here, taking over for Kenya Evelyn. Politics are happening. | Hi all, Vivian Ho on the west coast here, taking over for Kenya Evelyn. Politics are happening. |
| Bernie Sanders appears to have had an impressive past two days in fundraising, according to his campaign. | Bernie Sanders appears to have had an impressive past two days in fundraising, according to his campaign. |
| Elizabeth Warren announces plan for clemency board | Elizabeth Warren announces plan for clemency board |
| In a tweet thread Thursday, Massachusetts senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plans to form a presidential clemency board “that will prioritize cases of older Americans incarcerated for unduly long sentences and establish a presumption of release.” | In a tweet thread Thursday, Massachusetts senator and presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plans to form a presidential clemency board “that will prioritize cases of older Americans incarcerated for unduly long sentences and establish a presumption of release.” |
| Warren acknowledged there will be some exceptions, including for people deemed a danger to society. She also took the time to thank fellow senator Cory Booker of New Jersey for “leading on criminal justice reform and consistently highlighting this issue,” leading to speculations of a possible Warren-Booker ticket. | Warren acknowledged there will be some exceptions, including for people deemed a danger to society. She also took the time to thank fellow senator Cory Booker of New Jersey for “leading on criminal justice reform and consistently highlighting this issue,” leading to speculations of a possible Warren-Booker ticket. |
| Sen. Booker dropped out of the presidential race in last month. | Sen. Booker dropped out of the presidential race in last month. |
| The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended nearly 1,200 points down Thursday. Investors continue to fear the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the US economy. | The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended nearly 1,200 points down Thursday. Investors continue to fear the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the US economy. |
| President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he had enlisted vice president Mike Pence to lead the nation’s efforts at combating the highly infectious virus. But as we reported earlier, those initial efforts appear to be limiting who can speak publicly about it. | President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he had enlisted vice president Mike Pence to lead the nation’s efforts at combating the highly infectious virus. But as we reported earlier, those initial efforts appear to be limiting who can speak publicly about it. |
| The Trump administration is clamping down on interviews discussing the coronavirus, even directing cabinet officials to go through US vice president Mike Pence. | The Trump administration is clamping down on interviews discussing the coronavirus, even directing cabinet officials to go through US vice president Mike Pence. |
| From the NY Times: | From the NY Times: |
| Pence is one of three people designated as the administration’s primary coronavirus official. Government workers, including health experts and scientists, must coordinate their statements with the vice president’s office. | Pence is one of three people designated as the administration’s primary coronavirus official. Government workers, including health experts and scientists, must coordinate their statements with the vice president’s office. |
| President Donald Trump garnered immediate backlash for tapping Pence to lead crisis re draw criticism nearly immediately after the press conference. Critics have pointed to Pence record as the governor of Indiana, when he gutted health spending budgets and delayed a rollout of needle exchanges. | President Donald Trump garnered immediate backlash for tapping Pence to lead crisis re draw criticism nearly immediately after the press conference. Critics have pointed to Pence record as the governor of Indiana, when he gutted health spending budgets and delayed a rollout of needle exchanges. |
| It enabled the state’s worst outbreak of HIV. | It enabled the state’s worst outbreak of HIV. |
| Conservatives declare war on socialism in CPAC battle cry | Conservatives declare war on socialism in CPAC battle cry |
| “America vs. Socialism” is the umbrella theme at the biggest annual gathering of conservatives under way at the National Harbor in Maryland. Many attendees are wearing “Make America great again” or “Keep America great” hats.The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) marketplace is as brash and unapologetic as ever. | “America vs. Socialism” is the umbrella theme at the biggest annual gathering of conservatives under way at the National Harbor in Maryland. Many attendees are wearing “Make America great again” or “Keep America great” hats.The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) marketplace is as brash and unapologetic as ever. |
| T-shirt legends include “God, guns, Trump 2020” and, in a parody of The Terminator film franchise, “Trumpinator. I’ll be back.” There are Trump novelty pens and socks. A blue full length dress proclaims “Make America great again.”Not invited this year is Utah Senator Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who voted for the president’s conviction at the impeachment trial. A placard with Romney’s face says: “Used Trump for political gain... and then stabs him in the back.” When Charlie Kirk of the pro-Trump student group Turning Point USA referred to Romney during a speech, the crowd booed and Kirk responded: “Correct. Every time his name is mentioned, you should react that way.”Once given the cold shoulder himself by CPAC, Donald Trump now enjoys a cult-like status here and is due to speak on Saturday. On Thursday, his deputy, Mike Pence, told the crowd: “I know you’re going to say yes to four more years of President Donald Trump in 2020.”There were chants of “Four more years!” and “USA! USA!”Trump won the Democratic debates “in a knockout”, the vice president declared. “The truth is today’s Democratic party has been taken over by radical leftists who want higher taxes, open borders and late term abortions.”He attacked frontrunner Bernie Sanders in particular but warned that “despite what the media tells you, there are no moderates in this Democratic field”.During Pence’s speech, a protester dressed as Trump was removed by security. | T-shirt legends include “God, guns, Trump 2020” and, in a parody of The Terminator film franchise, “Trumpinator. I’ll be back.” There are Trump novelty pens and socks. A blue full length dress proclaims “Make America great again.”Not invited this year is Utah Senator Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who voted for the president’s conviction at the impeachment trial. A placard with Romney’s face says: “Used Trump for political gain... and then stabs him in the back.” When Charlie Kirk of the pro-Trump student group Turning Point USA referred to Romney during a speech, the crowd booed and Kirk responded: “Correct. Every time his name is mentioned, you should react that way.”Once given the cold shoulder himself by CPAC, Donald Trump now enjoys a cult-like status here and is due to speak on Saturday. On Thursday, his deputy, Mike Pence, told the crowd: “I know you’re going to say yes to four more years of President Donald Trump in 2020.”There were chants of “Four more years!” and “USA! USA!”Trump won the Democratic debates “in a knockout”, the vice president declared. “The truth is today’s Democratic party has been taken over by radical leftists who want higher taxes, open borders and late term abortions.”He attacked frontrunner Bernie Sanders in particular but warned that “despite what the media tells you, there are no moderates in this Democratic field”.During Pence’s speech, a protester dressed as Trump was removed by security. |
| Georgia governor Brian Kemp mocked and dismissed the impact of voter suppression on residents as state officials misled the public about the ability to stop poll site closures, according to a new report by the US House. | Georgia governor Brian Kemp mocked and dismissed the impact of voter suppression on residents as state officials misled the public about the ability to stop poll site closures, according to a new report by the US House. |
| Kemp, a Republican, narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Abrams went on to launch a national campaign to combat voter disenfranchisement. | Kemp, a Republican, narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Abrams went on to launch a national campaign to combat voter disenfranchisement. |
| The Georgia Recorder first reported that Kemp, then state secretary, circulated news reports bout “problems with local officials’ attempts to challenge voter registrations.” | The Georgia Recorder first reported that Kemp, then state secretary, circulated news reports bout “problems with local officials’ attempts to challenge voter registrations.” |
| Kemp , along with aide David Dove, then responded with crying-laughing emojis. | Kemp , along with aide David Dove, then responded with crying-laughing emojis. |
| The report was released by the US House Oversight Committee into voter suppression in minority communities. Officials also uncovered what they called “concerning information about voter suppression in Georgia.” | The report was released by the US House Oversight Committee into voter suppression in minority communities. Officials also uncovered what they called “concerning information about voter suppression in Georgia.” |
| Former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, 69, was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Thursday. | Former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, 69, was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Thursday. |
| The disgraced politician pleaded guilty last year to tax evasion and conspiracy for arranging fraudulent sales of her self-published children’s book series to non-profit foundations. | The disgraced politician pleaded guilty last year to tax evasion and conspiracy for arranging fraudulent sales of her self-published children’s book series to non-profit foundations. |
| From the Baltimore Sun: | From the Baltimore Sun: |
| She initially faced a possible 4-5 years sentence. Attorneys for the former mayor called the judge’s ruling “very fair.” And those children’s books? Rather than donating them to local schools, prosecutors and Pugh agreed to destroy all those currently in government custody. | She initially faced a possible 4-5 years sentence. Attorneys for the former mayor called the judge’s ruling “very fair.” And those children’s books? Rather than donating them to local schools, prosecutors and Pugh agreed to destroy all those currently in government custody. |
| Mike Pence breaks Reagan record for CPAC appearances | Mike Pence breaks Reagan record for CPAC appearances |
| Vice President Mike Pence is making his 14th appearance at the the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the National Harbor near Washington, breaking former president Ronald Reagan’s record.Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, introduced Pence by asking: “Can you imagine being to the right of Dick Cheney? Well, that’s our vice president.”Pence, put in charge of the US response to the coronavirus, said 15 cases have been detected in America so far. “While the risk to the American public remains low, as the president said yesterday, we’re ready. We’re ready for anything.”He added: “I promise you, we will continue to bring the full resources of the federal government to bear to protect the American people.”In a swipe at Democratic critics, Pence said: “This is not the time for partisanship. The American people expect us to work together.” | Vice President Mike Pence is making his 14th appearance at the the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the National Harbor near Washington, breaking former president Ronald Reagan’s record.Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, introduced Pence by asking: “Can you imagine being to the right of Dick Cheney? Well, that’s our vice president.”Pence, put in charge of the US response to the coronavirus, said 15 cases have been detected in America so far. “While the risk to the American public remains low, as the president said yesterday, we’re ready. We’re ready for anything.”He added: “I promise you, we will continue to bring the full resources of the federal government to bear to protect the American people.”In a swipe at Democratic critics, Pence said: “This is not the time for partisanship. The American people expect us to work together.” |
| A new poll found Joe Biden 20 points up over Bernie Sanders in South Carolina, which will hold its primary on Saturday. | A new poll found Joe Biden 20 points up over Bernie Sanders in South Carolina, which will hold its primary on Saturday. |
| According to Monmouth University, Biden is capturing the support of 36% of likely primary voters in the Palmetto state, compared to 16% for Sanders and 13% for Tom Steyer. | According to Monmouth University, Biden is capturing the support of 36% of likely primary voters in the Palmetto state, compared to 16% for Sanders and 13% for Tom Steyer. |
| Biden is relying on a decisive victory in South Carolina to reinvigorate his campaign after dismal performances in Iowa and New Hampshire and a distant second-place finish in Nevada. | Biden is relying on a decisive victory in South Carolina to reinvigorate his campaign after dismal performances in Iowa and New Hampshire and a distant second-place finish in Nevada. |
| If Biden were to secure a 20-point victory, he will likely declare himself the dominant moderate candidate in the race in the hope of mitigating Sanders’ expected Super Tuesday delegate gains. | If Biden were to secure a 20-point victory, he will likely declare himself the dominant moderate candidate in the race in the hope of mitigating Sanders’ expected Super Tuesday delegate gains. |
| But Biden still faces the test of Mike Bloomberg’s $500 million campaign machine in Super Tuesday states, so his own path to the nomination faces numerous challenges. | But Biden still faces the test of Mike Bloomberg’s $500 million campaign machine in Super Tuesday states, so his own path to the nomination faces numerous challenges. |
| Stop Sanders movement within party? | Stop Sanders movement within party? |
| Here’s what one team of journalists at the NYT found: | Here’s what one team of journalists at the NYT found: |
| Bernie Sanders rallying in North Carolina today, a Super Tuesday voting state. | Bernie Sanders rallying in North Carolina today, a Super Tuesday voting state. |
| Nancy Pelosi as a white knight. Innnnnteresting..... | Nancy Pelosi as a white knight. Innnnnteresting..... |
| It’s been a whirlwind of a morning as Democrats head into South Carolina primary. Black voters may be ‘Feeling the Bern’ more than many analysts thought and the Trump campaign is even taking notice. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the party will support whoever wins. More on South Carolina, including latest polls, in the afternoon. Stay tuned! | It’s been a whirlwind of a morning as Democrats head into South Carolina primary. Black voters may be ‘Feeling the Bern’ more than many analysts thought and the Trump campaign is even taking notice. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the party will support whoever wins. More on South Carolina, including latest polls, in the afternoon. Stay tuned! |
| Poll: Americans are extremely concerned about election security | Poll: Americans are extremely concerned about election security |
| Steven Segal misled the public about his cryptocurrency deal | Steven Segal misled the public about his cryptocurrency deal |
| The US government is creating a division for denaturalizing US citizens | The US government is creating a division for denaturalizing US citizens |
| Nancy Pelosi says Democrats are unified, except for superdelegates | Nancy Pelosi says Democrats are unified, except for superdelegates |
| “Unity, unity, unity” is what US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi reiterated in a press conference today, telling reporters that Democrats are focused on winning back the White House and Senate, not infighting ahead of the 2020 US presidential race. | “Unity, unity, unity” is what US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi reiterated in a press conference today, telling reporters that Democrats are focused on winning back the White House and Senate, not infighting ahead of the 2020 US presidential race. |
| “Contrary to what you may be hearing or writing, we are all unified,” she said. “Whoever the nominee is of our party, we’ll wholeheartedly support.”But when asked about her thoughts on the fight over superdelegates totals in winning the nomination, Pelosi remained mum. | “Contrary to what you may be hearing or writing, we are all unified,” she said. “Whoever the nominee is of our party, we’ll wholeheartedly support.”But when asked about her thoughts on the fight over superdelegates totals in winning the nomination, Pelosi remained mum. |
| “That’s not the issue, the person who will be nominated will be the person who wins the majority-plus-one,” she said, adding that “that may happen before we even get to the convention but we’ll see.” | “That’s not the issue, the person who will be nominated will be the person who wins the majority-plus-one,” she said, adding that “that may happen before we even get to the convention but we’ll see.” |
| Maine Newspaper rips Warren and Sanders, endorses Klobuchar | Maine Newspaper rips Warren and Sanders, endorses Klobuchar |
| The Bangor Daily News is praising pragmatism. Maine’s only independently run paper officially endorsed Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar’s bid for the White House calling her “a centrist who earns praise from Republicans.” | The Bangor Daily News is praising pragmatism. Maine’s only independently run paper officially endorsed Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar’s bid for the White House calling her “a centrist who earns praise from Republicans.” |
| “This should be seen as a benefit, not a drawback at a time when both political parties too often move to their extremes and gridlock is a hallmark in Washington,” staff editors wrote. | “This should be seen as a benefit, not a drawback at a time when both political parties too often move to their extremes and gridlock is a hallmark in Washington,” staff editors wrote. |
| Perhaps more notable, however, is who the paper is staunchly against. Editors excoriated fellow New Englanders, senators Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, calling them “too liberal to gain the needed support to become reality.” | Perhaps more notable, however, is who the paper is staunchly against. Editors excoriated fellow New Englanders, senators Bernie Sanders from Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, calling them “too liberal to gain the needed support to become reality.” |
| Klobuchar was also the only candidate who agreed to speak the paper’s editorial board. Coincidence? | Klobuchar was also the only candidate who agreed to speak the paper’s editorial board. Coincidence? |
| The US Dept. of Justice announced it had created a division tasked with denaturalizing immigrants. | The US Dept. of Justice announced it had created a division tasked with denaturalizing immigrants. |
| The Denaturalization Section “underscores the department’s commitment to bring justice to terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders and other fraudsters who illegally obtained naturalization” officials said in a statement. | The Denaturalization Section “underscores the department’s commitment to bring justice to terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders and other fraudsters who illegally obtained naturalization” officials said in a statement. |
| From the Washington Post: | From the Washington Post: |
| The Justice Dept. did not announce who would be tapped to lead the new section. | The Justice Dept. did not announce who would be tapped to lead the new section. |
| According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, actor Steven Seagal allegedly failed to disclose a promotional agreement related to cryptocurrencies. | According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, actor Steven Seagal allegedly failed to disclose a promotional agreement related to cryptocurrencies. |
| The SEC alleges Seagal accepted $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of Bitcoiin2Gen (B2G) tokens in exchange for online promotion of the currency, including “posts on his public social media accounts encouraging the public not to ‘miss out’”. | The SEC alleges Seagal accepted $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of Bitcoiin2Gen (B2G) tokens in exchange for online promotion of the currency, including “posts on his public social media accounts encouraging the public not to ‘miss out’”. |
| Seagal violated the anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws. He’ll pay a $157,000 fine. | Seagal violated the anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws. He’ll pay a $157,000 fine. |
| The SEC issued a warning to investors to “be wary of celebrity endorsements.” | The SEC issued a warning to investors to “be wary of celebrity endorsements.” |
| Republicans are betting on black voters, too | Republicans are betting on black voters, too |
| Democrats aren’t the only ones banking on black voters. The Trump campaign announced they’re also getting in the race to engage African Americans ahead of the 2020 presidential election. How? By opening field offices in key swing states just days before the country’s first primary featuring a majority black electorate. | Democrats aren’t the only ones banking on black voters. The Trump campaign announced they’re also getting in the race to engage African Americans ahead of the 2020 presidential election. How? By opening field offices in key swing states just days before the country’s first primary featuring a majority black electorate. |
| From NPR: | From NPR: |
| It’s an uphill climb though, according to Pew, black voters remaining overwhelmingly Democratic. | It’s an uphill climb though, according to Pew, black voters remaining overwhelmingly Democratic. |
| Some polls have shown increasing black support for Trump. But his approval ratings remain historically low, winning only 8 percent of the black vote in 2016. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll found 8 out of 10 African Americans think Trump is a racist. | Some polls have shown increasing black support for Trump. But his approval ratings remain historically low, winning only 8 percent of the black vote in 2016. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll found 8 out of 10 African Americans think Trump is a racist. |
| Nine out of 10 disapprove of his job performance. | Nine out of 10 disapprove of his job performance. |
| Good Morning. I’m taking over for the live blog and we’re talking black voters. | Good Morning. I’m taking over for the live blog and we’re talking black voters. |
| A new national poll indicates Bernie Sanders is leading among black voters. According to the Hill/HarrisX survey, Sanders extended his lead after Tuesday night’s debates, including a 9-point advantage among African Americans. | A new national poll indicates Bernie Sanders is leading among black voters. According to the Hill/HarrisX survey, Sanders extended his lead after Tuesday night’s debates, including a 9-point advantage among African Americans. |
| Despite US vice president Joe Biden’s popularity among them, black voters aren’t a monolith. Last week, I spoke with African American democrats in South Carolina ahead of Saturday’s primary who insisted there’s a progressive movement in the state that is largely ignored. | Despite US vice president Joe Biden’s popularity among them, black voters aren’t a monolith. Last week, I spoke with African American democrats in South Carolina ahead of Saturday’s primary who insisted there’s a progressive movement in the state that is largely ignored. |
| As Bill Frey of the Brookings Institute noted, black migration from the Northeast and Midwest may be a factor. | As Bill Frey of the Brookings Institute noted, black migration from the Northeast and Midwest may be a factor. |