Washington Post: “That ‘year of organizing’ will have its ultimate test in one week. And it has been almost microscopic. The campaign made a detailed study of almost all of the state’s more than 1,600 precincts to determine how to maximize support. It divided Iowa into nine zones and made an early investment deploying numerous operatives in each one, including remote towns and areas unlikely to support Warren.”
Bloomberg Picks Up 5th Congressional Endorsement
Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) announced he will support Michael Bloomberg for president, Politico reports.
Angus King Sees Up to 10 Republicans Backing Witnesses
Sen. Angus King (I-ME) told NPR that as many as 10 Republican senators would eventually vote in favor of allowing new witnesses during President Trump’s impeachment trial.
Bolton Revelations Upend Impeachment Trial Strategy
Playbook: “After a morning in the Capitol, here’s what we can say for sure: The NYT story about John Bolton’s manuscript has undoubtedly scrambled the impeachment proceedings, leaving the once cocksure Republican Party scratching their collective heads at what comes next. The body language and the rhetoric have changed — but to what end, we’re not certain at this moment.”
“Over the weekend, Republicans were quite sure that the impeachment trial of President Trump would be over by this weekend. Now there’s a distinct sense of confusion about when and how this will all end.”
“At the moment, Senate GOP leadership sources tell us they are still pushing against witnesses — but they acknowledge the situation is fluid, and say it could change.”
Justices Allow Denying Immigrants Over Public Assistance
“The Supreme Court allowed a Trump administration rule denying green cards to legal immigrants who use or are likely to use public aid, as litigation continues,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Washington Post: “The rules establish new criteria for who can be considered to be dependent on the U.S. government for benefits — ‘public charges,’ in the words of the law — and thus ineligible for green cards and a path to U.S. citizenship.”
Bloomberg Backs Statehood for Puerto Rico
Michael Bloomberg writes in the Orlando Sentinel:
“I’ll state it clearly: I support statehood for Puerto Rico. And as president, I will work to pass a bill making it a reality, subject to approval by the people of Puerto Rico — who will make the ultimate decision…”
“We believe taking Puerto Rican voters seriously starts in the Democratic primary, and that’s why I’m opening up an office in San Juan and building a ground operation — because the best way to stop Puerto Rico from being ignored in the future is to stop ignoring it right now.”
Murkowski ‘Curious’ About Bolton Testimony
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said she is “curious” to know what John Bolton might have to say about President Trump’s relations with Ukraine but stopped short of saying if she would support calling him to testify in the impeachment trial, The Hill reports.
Said Murkowski: “Well I read it. I’ve said before I was curious what Ambassador Bolton might have to say and I’m still curious.”
Sanders Holds Wide Lead In Utah
A new Salt Lake Tribune/Suffolk University survey in Utah shows Bernie Sanders leading the Democratic presidential field with 27%, followed by Elizabeth Warren at 14%, Joe Biden at 12% and Michael Bloomberg at 10%.
No other Democratic presidential candidate had double-digit support.
Bloomberg Sending Mailers to Super Tuesday Voters
Michael Bloomberg’s campaign told ABC News that “it will begin sending out its first mailers — yes, physical paper letters — to 2.5 million registered Democratic voters across every single Super Tuesday state.”
“The campaign’s move pays unprecedented attention on parts of the country that normally get neglected during the Democratic primary process, especially this early on.”
Newest Senator Slams Mitt Romney
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), who was sworn in just last month to replace Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), criticized Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) over his apparent willingness to hear from new witnesses in President Trump’s impeachment trial.
Said Loeffler: “After 2 weeks, it’s clear that Democrats have no case for impeachment. Sadly, my colleague Senator Romney wants to appease the left by calling witnesses who will slander Donald Trump during their 15 minutes of fame. The circus is over. It’s time to move on!”
Richter Switches Districts In New Jersey
David Richter (R) will drop his GOP primary challenge to Democrat-turned-Republican Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and instead seek to run against Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), the New Jersey Globe reports.
Said Richter: “When I decided to run for Congress, it was to flip a congressional seat. That’s already happened. I’m endorsing Jeff Van Drew.”
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Graham Open to Bolton In Exchange for Biden
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told McClatchy that he might be open to calling for John Bolton to testify in President Trump’s impeachment trial, but added that he’ll also push to hear from other witnesses, including Joe and Hunter Biden and the anonymous whistleblower.
Collins Says Case for Witnesses Now Stronger
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) issued a statement: “The reports about John Bolton’s book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues.”
Shit Is Fucked Up and Bullshit
Out next month: Shit Is Fucked Up And Bullshit: History Since the End of History by Malcolm Harris.
“A bold rejection of a society in which inequality, student debt, and exploitation have come to define our lives.”
- Harris, Malcolm (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages - 02/25/2020 (Publication Date) - Melville House (Publisher)
National Security Council Says No Other Staffers Saw Book
“The National Security Council denied Monday that any White House personnel outside of its purview had seen the manuscript of former national security adviser John Bolton’s book that was submitted to the White House for review,” Axios reports.
“Given that White House counsel Pat Cipollone is not part of the NSC, this statement appears to double as an on-the-record denial that anyone on President Trump’s impeachment defense team reviewed Bolton’s manuscript.”
Buttigieg Runs His Closing Ad In Iowa
Pete Buttigieg is out with a closing television ad in Iowa that will air statewide through caucus night, just one week from today.
Romney Says It’s ‘Likely’ Bolton Will Be Called
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) to the Washington Post: “I think it’s increasingly likely that other Republicans will join those of us who think we should hear from John Bolton.”