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Biden and Sanders cancel rallies over coronavirus concerns – live
Biden and Sanders cancel rallies over coronavirus concerns – live
(32 minutes later)
Sanders and Biden call off Ohio events to heed public warnings as six states head to the polls to pick their Democratic candidate
Sanders and Biden call off Ohio events to heed public warnings as six states head to the polls to pick their Democratic candidate
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which had backed Elizabeth Warren before she dropped out and encouraged voters to support Bernie Sanders, said that Sanders should shat in the race “until the March 15th debate at the earliest”.
Regardless of how Sanders tonight, the group indicated it doesn’t want a “quick Biden coronation”. Sanders and Biden are scheduled to face off during a televised debate in Phoenix on Saturday. The event, which will take place before a live audience, will continue as planned despite speculation that it would be derailed by efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Idaho, North Dakota and Washington state all hosting primaries today. Here’s what you need to know as voters cast their ballots:
Asked whether Trump — a self-described germaphobe — would continue to shake hands with people amidst the spread of coronavirus, the vice president said he expects so.
“Well, look as the president has said, in our line of work, you shake hands when someone wants to shake your hand,” Pence told reporters. “I expect the president will continue to do that”
Where will Trump get $1tn to cover a payroll tax cut? The White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow was short on details. Speaking to press at the White House, he said, “Let us put the proposal out and flush that out in concrete details.”
Kudlow said the tax relief package under consideration includes a payroll tax “holiday”. Asked about whether Trump wants the tax eliminated completely, Kudlow responded that Trump makes “bold” moves. It’s unclear how the administration would make up the revenue from the elimination of the 12.4% payroll tax, which is split evenly by workers and their employers and used to fund Medicare and Social Security.
Speaking at the White House, Pence said the question of whether Donald Trump will cancel rallies will “be a decision that’s made literally on a day-to-day basis.” He said he’s “very confident” the Trump campaign will make the “best decisions”.
Speaking at the White House, Pence said the question of whether Donald Trump will cancel rallies will “be a decision that’s made literally on a day-to-day basis.” He said he’s “very confident” the Trump campaign will make the “best decisions”.
Mike Pence said there will be 4m more coronavirus tests made available by the end of the week.
Mike Pence said there will be 4m more coronavirus tests made available by the end of the week.
Top health insurance companies have joined Medicare and Medicaid and agreed “to waive all copays, cover the cost of all treatment for those who contract the coronavirus,” Pence said.
Top health insurance companies have joined Medicare and Medicaid and agreed “to waive all copays, cover the cost of all treatment for those who contract the coronavirus,” Pence said.
Tony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the number of cases is “guaranteed” go up.
Tony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the number of cases is “guaranteed” go up.
Although both Sanders and Biden’s have canceled campaign events, they are still planning to attend the debate on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona.
Although both Sanders and Biden’s have canceled campaign events, they are still planning to attend the debate on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona.
The network still plans to hold the debate, as planned, in front of a live audience despite speculation that the coronavirus threat would derail the event.
The network still plans to hold the debate, as planned, in front of a live audience despite speculation that the coronavirus threat would derail the event.
The debate, which will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern will resemble a town hall, with each candidate answering questions from voters. Sanders and Biden will face off one-on-one before the votes are cast in Arizona, as well as Florida, Illinois and Ohio.
The debate, which will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern will resemble a town hall, with each candidate answering questions from voters. Sanders and Biden will face off one-on-one before the votes are cast in Arizona, as well as Florida, Illinois and Ohio.
The Michigan secretary of state has said that election results won’t be available until Wednesday, due to high voter turnout.
The Michigan secretary of state has said that election results won’t be available until Wednesday, due to high voter turnout.
“Michigan clerks and their teams will have significantly more work to do today than on previous election days, and that the results of today’s elections may not be known until well into Wednesday,” Jocelyn Benson wrote in an op-ed for USA Today.
“Michigan clerks and their teams will have significantly more work to do today than on previous election days, and that the results of today’s elections may not be known until well into Wednesday,” Jocelyn Benson wrote in an op-ed for USA Today.
Since the 2018 elections, the state has made it easier for more people to vote, expanding vote by mail and allowing voters to register up to and on Election Day.
Since the 2018 elections, the state has made it easier for more people to vote, expanding vote by mail and allowing voters to register up to and on Election Day.
“It is a new day for democracy in our state, with new rights for voters and greater security measures in place than ever before,” Benson wrote.
“It is a new day for democracy in our state, with new rights for voters and greater security measures in place than ever before,” Benson wrote.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh taking over from the West Coast.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh taking over from the West Coast.
Whereas Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders’ cancellation of events in Ohio is the first major sign of campaigns adjusting amidst the coronavirus threat, the disease has also affected how and where people will be able to vote. The Guardian’s voting rights reporter Sam Levine writes:
Whereas Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders’ cancellation of events in Ohio is the first major sign of campaigns adjusting amidst the coronavirus threat, the disease has also affected how and where people will be able to vote. The Guardian’s voting rights reporter Sam Levine writes:
Trump insisted he doesn’t need a coronavirus test.
Trump insisted he doesn’t need a coronavirus test.
New York state is imposing a containment area around the city of New Rochelle
New York state is imposing a containment area around the city of New Rochelle
The US justice dept. must turn over secret Mueller grand jury evidence
The US justice dept. must turn over secret Mueller grand jury evidence
Bernie Sanders canceled his Ohio rally
Bernie Sanders canceled his Ohio rally
Shortly after, Joe Biden did too.
Shortly after, Joe Biden did too.
Enjoy your evening and be sure to keep up-to-date with the latest from caucuses and primaries in Mississippi, Missouri, Washington, North Dakota, Idaho, and Michigan as results trickle in throughout the night.
Enjoy your evening and be sure to keep up-to-date with the latest from caucuses and primaries in Mississippi, Missouri, Washington, North Dakota, Idaho, and Michigan as results trickle in throughout the night.
Happy Not-Quite-Super Tuesday!
Happy Not-Quite-Super Tuesday!
Shortly after the Bernie Sanders campaign announced they are cancelling tonight’s planned rally due to the coronavirus, staffers for Joe Biden have followed suit:
The Bernie Sanders campaign announced they are “heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials” and are not holding their scheduled rally Tuesday night. The cancellation came via a statement shared online.
“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland,” the statement read. “Sen. Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.”
From The Guardian reporter Lauren Gambino:
As the LA Times national correspondent Matt Pearce explained, this isn’t the first time.
So far, the Trump campaign has not moved forward with a planned Tuesday announcement of an upcoming campaign rally.
Tom Perkins checks in with us again from Michigan:
Though traffic at Michigan polling stations generally seems to be light, local outlets are reporting long lines for same day registration at city clerks’ offices, especially in college towns across the state.
Michigan voters in 2018 approved a voting reform package that made it easier to vote. Among the changes is same day registration, and this is the first election in which it has been in place. Apparently some city clerks didn’t anticipate this level of interest.
It largely seems to be young people who are showing up to register last minute, and that’s a clear advantage for Sanders. He won voters under 40 years old by a wide margin in 2016 in Michigan, and he focused heavily on the same group during his get out the vote campaign in the days leading up to the election.
However, Biden appears to have the advantage heading into Tuesday — one state pollster estimated the former vice president tallied a 150,000-vote cushion in absentee and early voting ballots.
A federal appeals court ruled the US department of justice must turn over secret grand jury evidence to Democratic lawmakers investigating President Donald Trump.
From the Washington Post:
The Post added, however, that the ruling is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court. That means there’s no legal demand for the justice department to turn over the report to Congress right away.
In a press conference this morning, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced he has authorized a containment zone around the city of New Rochelle.
Via ABC News:
Cuomo added that the National Guard will be deployed to assist in food delivery, cleaning until March 25.
To stay up-to-date on all things coronavirus, follow our continued live coverage.
President Donald Trump continued to downplay the deadly coronavirus virus and its pervasive spread throughout the US. Responding to reporters Tuesday after a meeting with members of the coronavirus task force, Trump told reporters the virus “will go away.”
“Just stay calm,” Trump said. “It’s really working out. And a lot of good things are going to happen.”
What those “things” are remains to be seen. When asked about getting tested himself, Trump insisted there’s no need, despite multiple interactions for those who may have been exposed to the virus.
From CNN’s Daniel Dale:
Meanwhile, Florida congressman Matt Gaetz has confirmed he tested negative for the virus.
Gaetz previously self-quarantined over concerns that he was in close contact in the same period with a known carrier. He had close contact with Donald Trump shortly after.
Reporting from Michigan, here’s another update as voters take to the polls:
In Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit with the world’s largest Lebanese population outside of Lebanon, Hussein, a Lebanese immigrant, said he voted for Sanders.
“He’s more for the people, especially the poor people and the middle class people,” Hussein said. “And the way that he explains himself to the public – I like his explanations.”
Biden, by contrast, “doesn’t have it together”, Hussein said, noting the former vice president’s regular gaffes and alleged cognitive decline.
Four years ago, Hussein didn’t vote for Sanders. What changed since 2016? “Trump,” Hussein said, adding that he believes Sanders is more likely to beat the president than Biden.
Sanders has wide support among Dearborn’s Muslim population, which has built a thriving middle class community here. Hussein said he thinks Sanders can pull it off despite the polling if those in his base – like Dearborn’s Muslim residents – turn out en force. While there weren’t any lines at a Dearborn polling station early Tuesday afternoon, a steady stream of voters stopped in to cast ballots.
Missouri: why the ‘show me’ state matters for the Democratic primary race
Don’t sleep on Missouri! As the democrats take to the polls for the state’s primary today, many analysts might overlook this long-ago swing state as an automatic win for former vice-president Joe Biden.
But Missouri is a bastion of Democratic voting blocs that can rally behind either Biden or Vermont senator Bernie Sanders: farmers, factory workers, elder black moderates, young progressive activists, conservative evangelicals ... take your pick.
While those distinctions typically only play into the general election, an increasingly tense showdown between supporters of moderate Biden and progressive Sanders could make Missouri more competitive than most analysts predict.
The one debate even more tense: whether it’s pronounced Missouree or Missourah. Ask that and be prepared for a completely different type of fight. Here are two ways Missouri is a unique primary to watch.
Region:“Is it the midwest, or south?” Both! Or neither, depending on who you ask. Located nearly dead center of the continental US, Missouri boasts a unique state culture that, at times, can reflect deep conservative attitudes of the south, while in other areas more reminiscent of the industrial rust belt.
For the 2016 general election, FiveThirtyEight’s Harry Enten broke down why the ‘show me’ state is such an important political outlier:
Race Matters:
Six years ago the state was rocked by the shooting death of 18 year-old Mike Brown in Ferguson, igniting a firestorm of protests the lead to the founding of Black Lives Matter, and countless subsequent social justice movements.
Neighboring St Louis is currently embroiled in a racial scandal of its own. In January, a top prosecutor filed a federal lawsuit against the city and its police union for conspiracy to thwart her racial justice reforms, citing a nearly 150-year-old law used to combat the Ku Klux Klan white supremacist group.
Missouri, along with Mississippi, are two states voting today that have significant black populations, representing nearly one-fifth and three-fourths of the Democratic electorate, respectively.
As most pundits predict, whoever wins the black vote, a near demographic split between older moderates and young progressives, may that momentum into the convention in July.
Traffic was light at a polling station on Detroit’s east side where no one showed up for at least 10 minutes. The station is in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods and is likely near 100% African American. That doesn’t bode well for Democrats. The low turnout among black voters in Detroit was a big part of why Hillary Clinton lost in the primary and general.
However, several miles away, still on Detroit’s east side, a steady number of voters stopped in a precinct in another economically struggling neighborhood. The station is within sight of about 10 vacant homes. Charles, a young African American voter, said he cast his ballot for Bernie Sanders.
“We’ve never had a president that’s going to do the things he’s going to do – he’s something different,” Charles said. “Joe Biden just seems like the Democratic version of Donald Trump. You know, what do we have to lose?”
Charles said he sees the vote in Detroit breaking down along generational lines. His older friends and family support Biden because he was Obama’s vice-president and they know and trust him. His younger friends and family support Sanders. Several other older voters who stopped in the station ahead of Charles said they planned to vote for Biden, but declined to discuss why.
Though he cast his ballot for Sanders, Charles doesn’t believe the progressive candidate is better suited than Biden to beat Trump. He said he isn’t sure about who would win in a match up between Trump and Sanders, but added: “I’m going to do my part. Anything can happen.” Are there enough Sanders supporters in Detroit doing their part for the Vermont senator to repeat his 2016 upset of Clinton? Charles said he believes there are.
“He won it the last time, so I think he’s going to get a good turnout this time around,” he said.
Donald Trump retweeted a false claim blaming Barack Obama for delays during the swine flu epidemic
Mark Meadows joined the growing list of CPAC attendees in self-quarantine
A coronavirus scare temporarily closed Washington HQ of Securities and Exchange Commission
Joe Biden told a Detroit autoworker that he’s “full of shit.”
Donald Trump awarded another closed friend with a presidential honor
Enjoy the midday reprieve. We’ll have updates from primaries and caucuses across the country and more news after the break. Stay tuned.
