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| Cory Booker endorses Joe Biden ahead of crucial primaries – live | Cory Booker endorses Joe Biden ahead of crucial primaries – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| New Michigan poll shows Biden leading Sanders by 24 points while Trump appears to minimize coronavirus compared to common flu on Twitter | New Michigan poll shows Biden leading Sanders by 24 points while Trump appears to minimize coronavirus compared to common flu on Twitter |
| Joe Biden expressed concern about Trump’s response to coronavirus, criticizing the president for not deferring more to medical experts. | |
| “I wish he would just be quiet,” the Democratic presidential candidate told MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell. “I really mean it. That’s an awful thing to say about a president, but I wish he’d be quiet. Just let the experts speak.” | |
| Biden also said he was worried Trump was trying to minimize the health threat out of fear of political consequences. | |
| “There’s no confidence in the President, in anything he says or does,” Biden said. “He turns everything into what he thinks is a political benefit for himself, when he’s actually imploding in the process. But there’s a lot of innocent bystanders that are being badly hurt.” | |
| Cory Booker will appear alongside Joe Biden in Detroit tonight, after endorsing the former vice president earlier today. | |
| Kamala Harris, another former presidential candidate who endorsed Biden over the weekend, will also attend the Detroit rally. | |
| Booker and Harris have both been repeatedly mentioned as potential running mates for Biden, so he may be appearing alongside his future vice president tonight. | |
| Trump appeared to minimize coronavirus as the Dow is down 1,600 points because of the health threat. | Trump appeared to minimize coronavirus as the Dow is down 1,600 points because of the health threat. |
| The president’s tweet ironically came moments after his health and human services secretary emphasized the severity of coronavirus in a Fox News interview. | The president’s tweet ironically came moments after his health and human services secretary emphasized the severity of coronavirus in a Fox News interview. |
| “This is a very serious health problem,” Alex Azar told Fox. “Nobody is trying to minimize that.” | “This is a very serious health problem,” Alex Azar told Fox. “Nobody is trying to minimize that.” |
| Trump celebrated crashing oil prices as “good for the consumer,” blaming the market nosedive on Saudi-Russian tensions and “the Fake News.” | Trump celebrated crashing oil prices as “good for the consumer,” blaming the market nosedive on Saudi-Russian tensions and “the Fake News.” |
| At the risk of stating the obvious, the market slump is tied to very real concerns about the spread of coronavirus. | At the risk of stating the obvious, the market slump is tied to very real concerns about the spread of coronavirus. |
| And while slumping gas prices might be nice for drivers when they go to fill their tanks, they can have a devastating impact on global markets, as we are seeing this morning. | And while slumping gas prices might be nice for drivers when they go to fill their tanks, they can have a devastating impact on global markets, as we are seeing this morning. |
| Case in point: the Great Recession caused a steep drop in gas and oil prices. | Case in point: the Great Recession caused a steep drop in gas and oil prices. |
| Some White House advisers are concerned Trump is not taking coronavirus seriously enough, after spending a weekend at Mar-a-Lago fundraising. | Some White House advisers are concerned Trump is not taking coronavirus seriously enough, after spending a weekend at Mar-a-Lago fundraising. |
| The president is again holding fundraisers today as the Dow dropped more than 1,000 points. | The president is again holding fundraisers today as the Dow dropped more than 1,000 points. |
| Trump also continues to downplay the severity of the health threat as the number of cases rise. CNN reports: | Trump also continues to downplay the severity of the health threat as the number of cases rise. CNN reports: |
| A new poll out of Michigan shows Joe Biden leading Bernie Sanders by 24 points, as the former vice president consolidates support after a strong Super Tuesday performance. | A new poll out of Michigan shows Joe Biden leading Bernie Sanders by 24 points, as the former vice president consolidates support after a strong Super Tuesday performance. |
| According to the EPIC-MRA/Detroit Free Press poll, Biden is at 51% in the state, while Sanders is far behind at 27%. | According to the EPIC-MRA/Detroit Free Press poll, Biden is at 51% in the state, while Sanders is far behind at 27%. |
| Michigan is the most delegate-rich state voting tomorrow, awarding 125 delegates to the three remaining Democratic presidential candidates. (Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard also remains in the race.) | Michigan is the most delegate-rich state voting tomorrow, awarding 125 delegates to the three remaining Democratic presidential candidates. (Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard also remains in the race.) |
| If Biden can pull off a massive victory tomorrow, it will make it even more difficult for Sanders to catch up, so the presidential primary could wrap up quickly. | If Biden can pull off a massive victory tomorrow, it will make it even more difficult for Sanders to catch up, so the presidential primary could wrap up quickly. |
| Trading has temporarily halted at the New York Stock Exchange, as the Dow fell more than 7% over concerns about the spread of coronavirus. | Trading has temporarily halted at the New York Stock Exchange, as the Dow fell more than 7% over concerns about the spread of coronavirus. |
| The nosedive comes a day after Saudi Arabia slashed oil prices amid escalating tensions with fellow oil producer Russia, which triggered fears of a damaging price war. | The nosedive comes a day after Saudi Arabia slashed oil prices amid escalating tensions with fellow oil producer Russia, which triggered fears of a damaging price war. |
| For the latest updates on coronavirus, follow the Guardian’s live blog: | For the latest updates on coronavirus, follow the Guardian’s live blog: |
| This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam. | This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam. |
| Montana’s governor, Steve Bullock, who suspended his presidential campaign in December, has announced he will run for Senate against Republican incumbent Steve Daines. | Montana’s governor, Steve Bullock, who suspended his presidential campaign in December, has announced he will run for Senate against Republican incumbent Steve Daines. |
| Bullock had been expected to launch a Senate bid, following months of lobbying by top Democrats such as the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer. | Bullock had been expected to launch a Senate bid, following months of lobbying by top Democrats such as the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer. |
| The popular governor had initially resisted calls for him to challenge Daines but changed his mind in recent weeks after discussions with his family. | The popular governor had initially resisted calls for him to challenge Daines but changed his mind in recent weeks after discussions with his family. |
| (Joe Biden’s rising fortunes in the presidential primary probably also helped convince Bullock, considering Montana’s very conservative leanings would have made it difficult to run with Bernie Sanders at the top of the ticket.) | (Joe Biden’s rising fortunes in the presidential primary probably also helped convince Bullock, considering Montana’s very conservative leanings would have made it difficult to run with Bernie Sanders at the top of the ticket.) |
| Bullock still faces a difficult road ahead in trying to unseat Daines, but it was widely recognized the well known state leader faced the best chance of victory if he chose to enter the race. | Bullock still faces a difficult road ahead in trying to unseat Daines, but it was widely recognized the well known state leader faced the best chance of victory if he chose to enter the race. |
| It feels like every Tuesday at the moment could potentially be a decisive moment in the Democrat primaries. Last week certainly re-shaped the race, and this week’s vote could either see Bernie Sanders regain his momentum, indicating that we’ll have a race that goes all the way to the wire, or, if Biden wins well, could effectively be the end of the road. | It feels like every Tuesday at the moment could potentially be a decisive moment in the Democrat primaries. Last week certainly re-shaped the race, and this week’s vote could either see Bernie Sanders regain his momentum, indicating that we’ll have a race that goes all the way to the wire, or, if Biden wins well, could effectively be the end of the road. |
| Here’s a reminder of who is voting, and when: | Here’s a reminder of who is voting, and when: |
| Michigan125 delegates, polls close 8pm ET (except four counties in the Central time zone)There’s been a big ad spend from both campaigns in the state and both candidates are there in person today. Sanders has to repeat his 2016 win - but in recent polling Biden has a small lead. | Michigan125 delegates, polls close 8pm ET (except four counties in the Central time zone)There’s been a big ad spend from both campaigns in the state and both candidates are there in person today. Sanders has to repeat his 2016 win - but in recent polling Biden has a small lead. |
| Washington89 delegates, polls close 10pmSanders won every county here in 2016. | Washington89 delegates, polls close 10pmSanders won every county here in 2016. |
| Missouri68 delegates, polls close 8pmThis was tight between Sanders and Clinton in 2016, and could be tight again. | Missouri68 delegates, polls close 8pmThis was tight between Sanders and Clinton in 2016, and could be tight again. |
| Mississippi36 delegates, polls close 8pmBiden is favourite here, where the electorate is overwhelmingly black | Mississippi36 delegates, polls close 8pmBiden is favourite here, where the electorate is overwhelmingly black |
| Idaho20 delegates, polls close 8pm locally, mostly 11pm ET but the state is split across time zones.Idaho was a strong win for Sanders in 2016. This year it is a primary rather than caucuses | Idaho20 delegates, polls close 8pm locally, mostly 11pm ET but the state is split across time zones.Idaho was a strong win for Sanders in 2016. This year it is a primary rather than caucuses |
| North Dakota14 delegates, polls close 8pmAlso a Sanders win in 2016. | North Dakota14 delegates, polls close 8pmAlso a Sanders win in 2016. |
| It might be a dodgy day for stocks and shares, but someone who seems to continue to be able to pull in the cash is Donald Trump. Watchdogs and public records have revealed how Trump properties have raked in millions from Pacs and Republican figures during the president’s time in office. | It might be a dodgy day for stocks and shares, but someone who seems to continue to be able to pull in the cash is Donald Trump. Watchdogs and public records have revealed how Trump properties have raked in millions from Pacs and Republican figures during the president’s time in office. |
| The America First Action Super Pac, for example, has spent over $540,000 to host events at Trump’s hotel, making it a top source of campaign revenues for the hotel and the Trump family business. | The America First Action Super Pac, for example, has spent over $540,000 to host events at Trump’s hotel, making it a top source of campaign revenues for the hotel and the Trump family business. |
| Peter Stone has more - How Trump’s business empire is cashing in on the 2020 campaign | Peter Stone has more - How Trump’s business empire is cashing in on the 2020 campaign |
| We are just under an hour away from the markets opening in New York, and it is going to be a rough ride for sure. MarketWatch here are suggesting that oil prices will “deliver a punishing blow to Wall Street”. There are already some big pre-opening falls. | We are just under an hour away from the markets opening in New York, and it is going to be a rough ride for sure. MarketWatch here are suggesting that oil prices will “deliver a punishing blow to Wall Street”. There are already some big pre-opening falls. |
| You’ll be able to follow what happens on our business live blog. | You’ll be able to follow what happens on our business live blog. |
| It isn’t just Kamala Harris and Cory Booker who have been endorsing Joe Biden this weekend. He has also, according to a report from the Associated Press, picked up the endorsement of one of the nation’s largest gun safety groups. | It isn’t just Kamala Harris and Cory Booker who have been endorsing Joe Biden this weekend. He has also, according to a report from the Associated Press, picked up the endorsement of one of the nation’s largest gun safety groups. |
| Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund plans to spend $60m on electoral activities this cycle, the AP says, some of which will go toward trying to elect Biden. | Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund plans to spend $60m on electoral activities this cycle, the AP says, some of which will go toward trying to elect Biden. |
| An Everytown spokesman said the group typically airs advertisements and engages in grassroots organizing for the candidates it endorses, though it’s unclear when the group will begin to spend on Biden’s behalf. | An Everytown spokesman said the group typically airs advertisements and engages in grassroots organizing for the candidates it endorses, though it’s unclear when the group will begin to spend on Biden’s behalf. |
| They boasts 6 million supporters and more than 375,000 grassroots donors, numbers that could help boost attention and support for Biden’s presidential bid nationwide. | They boasts 6 million supporters and more than 375,000 grassroots donors, numbers that could help boost attention and support for Biden’s presidential bid nationwide. |
| In an interview with AP, John Feinblatt, head of Everytown for Gun Safety, said the group chose Biden because working for gun control is “his past, it’s his present, it’s his future”. Asked if Sanders’ record on gun control factored into the group’s decision, Feinblatt said that the group looks at a candidate’s “total record”. | In an interview with AP, John Feinblatt, head of Everytown for Gun Safety, said the group chose Biden because working for gun control is “his past, it’s his present, it’s his future”. Asked if Sanders’ record on gun control factored into the group’s decision, Feinblatt said that the group looks at a candidate’s “total record”. |
| “You can’t confine yourself to just what somebody says they’ll do in the future. You have to look at what they’ve done in the past,” he said. “Unquestionably, Joe is a person who’s dedicated much of his life to the issue of gun safety.” | “You can’t confine yourself to just what somebody says they’ll do in the future. You have to look at what they’ve done in the past,” he said. “Unquestionably, Joe is a person who’s dedicated much of his life to the issue of gun safety.” |
| During his tenure in the House and the Senate, Bernie Sanders opposed a 1993 gun safety bill known as the Brady Bill and supported bills that would give gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits. His position on gun control issues has shifted, and he now has a D-minus rating from the National Rifle Association. | During his tenure in the House and the Senate, Bernie Sanders opposed a 1993 gun safety bill known as the Brady Bill and supported bills that would give gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits. His position on gun control issues has shifted, and he now has a D-minus rating from the National Rifle Association. |
| But Sanders’ past votes have been frequent fodder for attacks from his opponents, with Biden charging in a recent TV debate, as he stood next to the Vermont senator, that “my friend on my right and others have given gun manufacturers absolute immunity”. | But Sanders’ past votes have been frequent fodder for attacks from his opponents, with Biden charging in a recent TV debate, as he stood next to the Vermont senator, that “my friend on my right and others have given gun manufacturers absolute immunity”. |
| Biden also has run ads highlighting his work on gun control measures, and on Sunday he received the endorsement of another gun control group, the Brady Campaign. | Biden also has run ads highlighting his work on gun control measures, and on Sunday he received the endorsement of another gun control group, the Brady Campaign. |
| Pete Buttigieg has been on the Today show, talking about Joe Biden – and about the significant role that the economy could play in tomorrow’s vote, saying: | Pete Buttigieg has been on the Today show, talking about Joe Biden – and about the significant role that the economy could play in tomorrow’s vote, saying: |
| He also suggested that a vote for Trump last time around had been a vote to “burn the house down” out of frustration. | He also suggested that a vote for Trump last time around had been a vote to “burn the house down” out of frustration. |
| Michigan is the biggest prize in tomorrow’s primaries, with 125 delegates up for grabs. Tom Perkins has been in Detroit for us, looking at how last time around Sanders’ upset against Hillary Clinton propelled his campaign forwards just as some had begun to write him off. He comes back four years later in need of a similar result. | Michigan is the biggest prize in tomorrow’s primaries, with 125 delegates up for grabs. Tom Perkins has been in Detroit for us, looking at how last time around Sanders’ upset against Hillary Clinton propelled his campaign forwards just as some had begun to write him off. He comes back four years later in need of a similar result. |
| Read it here – | Read it here – |
| Politico’s chief political correspondent Tim Alberta has also been reporting from Michigan, this time Ann Arbor. He says that one of the reasons that Sanders’ victory in the state was significant was not what it meant for the Democratic race, but what it foreshadowed for November’s election. | Politico’s chief political correspondent Tim Alberta has also been reporting from Michigan, this time Ann Arbor. He says that one of the reasons that Sanders’ victory in the state was significant was not what it meant for the Democratic race, but what it foreshadowed for November’s election. |
| Alberta argues that if Sanders can’t win in Michigan tomorrow, he can’t at all. | Alberta argues that if Sanders can’t win in Michigan tomorrow, he can’t at all. |
| Read it here – Politico: Michigan Was Once Bernie’s Resurrection. Now It Could Be His Burial | Read it here – Politico: Michigan Was Once Bernie’s Resurrection. Now It Could Be His Burial |
| The phrase “The economy, stupid!” has echoed down presidential election campaigns through the years, and it might prove to be a significant factor in Michigan. Trump has made much of the US economic performance under his administration but Axios reports: | The phrase “The economy, stupid!” has echoed down presidential election campaigns through the years, and it might prove to be a significant factor in Michigan. Trump has made much of the US economic performance under his administration but Axios reports: |
| Whether Biden or Sanders come out on top tomorrow could be a significant indicator on whether the Democrats have won back those voters – and to which flavour of policies. | Whether Biden or Sanders come out on top tomorrow could be a significant indicator on whether the Democrats have won back those voters – and to which flavour of policies. |
| Read it here – Axios: Manufacturing counties still struggling ahead of Michigan primary | Read it here – Axios: Manufacturing counties still struggling ahead of Michigan primary |
| Joe Biden has picked up another big endorsement, this time from the New Jersey senator Cory Booker, who has tweeted that Biden “won’t only win - he’ll show there’s more that unites us than divides us”. | Joe Biden has picked up another big endorsement, this time from the New Jersey senator Cory Booker, who has tweeted that Biden “won’t only win - he’ll show there’s more that unites us than divides us”. |
| Booker ended his own challenge for the nomination back in January, and is another high-profile supporter for Biden after Kamala Harris endorsed the 77-year-old last night. | Booker ended his own challenge for the nomination back in January, and is another high-profile supporter for Biden after Kamala Harris endorsed the 77-year-old last night. |
| The FiveThirtyEight endorsement tracker shows just how many of the Democratic party’s major figures have swung behind Biden rather than Sanders. | The FiveThirtyEight endorsement tracker shows just how many of the Democratic party’s major figures have swung behind Biden rather than Sanders. |
| Trump is on the attack over coronavirus again, tweeting that “The Fake News Media and their partner, the Democrat Party, is doing everything within its semi-considerable power to inflame the coronavirus situation”. | Trump is on the attack over coronavirus again, tweeting that “The Fake News Media and their partner, the Democrat Party, is doing everything within its semi-considerable power to inflame the coronavirus situation”. |
| There are a couple of interesting articles this morning looking at Trump’s relationship with the coronavirus and the White House team trying to communicate to the US public about it. | There are a couple of interesting articles this morning looking at Trump’s relationship with the coronavirus and the White House team trying to communicate to the US public about it. |
| NBC has an article on the mixed messaging sparking internal frustration: | NBC has an article on the mixed messaging sparking internal frustration: |
| Read it here - NBC News: Mixed White House messaging on coronavirus sparks internal frustration | Read it here - NBC News: Mixed White House messaging on coronavirus sparks internal frustration |
| The New York Times has an analysis piece that suggests the coronavirus may be immune to the usual Trump tactics. Peter Baker’s view is that: | The New York Times has an analysis piece that suggests the coronavirus may be immune to the usual Trump tactics. Peter Baker’s view is that: |
| Read it here - New York Times: For Trump, Coronavirus Proves to Be an Enemy He Can’t Tweet Away | Read it here - New York Times: For Trump, Coronavirus Proves to Be an Enemy He Can’t Tweet Away |
| Donald Trump has been very keen during his time in office to take credit for stock market highs. It remains to be seen how happy he will be to take any blame for the market crash that is expected when trading opens later today. CNBC are reporting that the Dow could immediately fall as much as 1,300 points. | Donald Trump has been very keen during his time in office to take credit for stock market highs. It remains to be seen how happy he will be to take any blame for the market crash that is expected when trading opens later today. CNBC are reporting that the Dow could immediately fall as much as 1,300 points. |
| The markets won’t be allowed to go into complete free-fall however. There are several “circuit-breakers” built into it which will pause trading on the S&P 500 if it falls below certain thresholds. | The markets won’t be allowed to go into complete free-fall however. There are several “circuit-breakers” built into it which will pause trading on the S&P 500 if it falls below certain thresholds. |
| You can follow what is likely to be a volatile morning on over on our business live blog with my colleague Graeme Wearden. | You can follow what is likely to be a volatile morning on over on our business live blog with my colleague Graeme Wearden. |
| Good morning, on what is likely to prove a busy and eventful day. Not only do we have last-minute campaigning for a whole bunch of Democrat primaries tomorrow on the agenda, but the US will be waking up to news of turmoil in international markets as fears about the coronavirus outbreak have set stocks and shares plunging across Asia and Europe. | Good morning, on what is likely to prove a busy and eventful day. Not only do we have last-minute campaigning for a whole bunch of Democrat primaries tomorrow on the agenda, but the US will be waking up to news of turmoil in international markets as fears about the coronavirus outbreak have set stocks and shares plunging across Asia and Europe. |
| Donald Trump is already up and tweeting in campaign mode: | Donald Trump is already up and tweeting in campaign mode: |
| He’s also been retweeting the contentious assertion that media coverage of the coronavirus is as dangerous to the US as the outbreak of Covid-19 itself. | He’s also been retweeting the contentious assertion that media coverage of the coronavirus is as dangerous to the US as the outbreak of Covid-19 itself. |
| The president is fundraising in Florida today, and will be back at the White House this afternoon. Mike Pence will lead a White House coronavirus taskforce meeting in the situation room at 4pm ET. | The president is fundraising in Florida today, and will be back at the White House this afternoon. Mike Pence will lead a White House coronavirus taskforce meeting in the situation room at 4pm ET. |
| Bernie Sanders is campaigning in Missouri and Michigan. Michigan is the state offering the most delegates tomorrow - 125 of them. Also voting on Tuesday are Idaho, North Dakota, Mississippi, Missouri and Washington. Joe Biden currently leads with 664 pledged delegates to Sanders’ 573. | Bernie Sanders is campaigning in Missouri and Michigan. Michigan is the state offering the most delegates tomorrow - 125 of them. Also voting on Tuesday are Idaho, North Dakota, Mississippi, Missouri and Washington. Joe Biden currently leads with 664 pledged delegates to Sanders’ 573. |
| Biden is in Michigan, too, where he will be appearing alongside former rival for the nomination Senator Kamala Harris at a rally in Detroit. Harris endorsed Biden at the weekend. | Biden is in Michigan, too, where he will be appearing alongside former rival for the nomination Senator Kamala Harris at a rally in Detroit. Harris endorsed Biden at the weekend. |
| And Elizabeth Warren? She’ll be reflecting on going viral at the weekend for her spot on Saturday Night Live, as everybody waits to see whether she is going to endorse one of the two remaining realistic challengers to take on Trump in November. | And Elizabeth Warren? She’ll be reflecting on going viral at the weekend for her spot on Saturday Night Live, as everybody waits to see whether she is going to endorse one of the two remaining realistic challengers to take on Trump in November. |