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JoeOtterbein
JoeOtterbein's Journal
JoeOtterbein's Journal
February 12, 2020
Trump says he'd rather run against Bloomberg than Sanders
Politico
Sanders has real followers, whether you like them or not, the president said.
By CAITLIN OPRYSKO
02/11/2020 06:29 PM EST
Updated: 02/11/2020 06:59 PM EST
President Donald Trump on Tuesday insisted that hed rather run against Mike Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders in the general election this November, amplifying complaints from Democrats that the billionaire former mayor of New York was buying his way into contention in the primary field.
During a screed about Bloomberg in the Oval Office, the president ripped his recent apology about New Yorks stop-and-frisk policy as disingenuous and called the former mayor a lightweight.
Despite salivating at the chance to run against a democratic socialist in the general, Trump on Tuesday expressed some sense of worry about Sanders devoted following, suggesting that Bloombergs rising support would not be as unwavering.
Frankly, I would rather run against Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders, he told reporters, because Sanders has real followers, whether you like them or not, whether you agree with them or not I happen to think its terrible what [Sanders] says.
snip
Sanders has real followers, whether you like them or not, the president said.
By CAITLIN OPRYSKO
02/11/2020 06:29 PM EST
Updated: 02/11/2020 06:59 PM EST
President Donald Trump on Tuesday insisted that hed rather run against Mike Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders in the general election this November, amplifying complaints from Democrats that the billionaire former mayor of New York was buying his way into contention in the primary field.
During a screed about Bloomberg in the Oval Office, the president ripped his recent apology about New Yorks stop-and-frisk policy as disingenuous and called the former mayor a lightweight.
Despite salivating at the chance to run against a democratic socialist in the general, Trump on Tuesday expressed some sense of worry about Sanders devoted following, suggesting that Bloombergs rising support would not be as unwavering.
Frankly, I would rather run against Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders, he told reporters, because Sanders has real followers, whether you like them or not, whether you agree with them or not I happen to think its terrible what [Sanders] says.
snip
more insane ranting about our f...... election at link
February 11, 2020
Entrepreneuring Girl Scouts target marijuana dispensaries for cookie stands
The York Dispatch
Ally Marotti, Chicago Tribune Published 2:32 p.m. ET Feb. 11, 2020
CHICAGO With boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas stacked above their heads, a group of Girl Scouts set up shop outside Dispensary 33 on Sunday, selling cookies to passersby and customers of the recreational marijuana store.
The girls or their parents werent the first to sell cookies to people buying weed. Girl Scouts in California have set up outside dispensaries and Colorados Girl Scouts recently lifted a ban on selling in front of marijuana shops.
But the timing of Girl Scout Cookie season worked in the young entrepreneurs favor this year in Chicago. Legal weed went on sale in Illinois Jan. 1, and long lines continue to form outside weed shops.
snip
Ally Marotti, Chicago Tribune Published 2:32 p.m. ET Feb. 11, 2020
CHICAGO With boxes of Thin Mints and Samoas stacked above their heads, a group of Girl Scouts set up shop outside Dispensary 33 on Sunday, selling cookies to passersby and customers of the recreational marijuana store.
The girls or their parents werent the first to sell cookies to people buying weed. Girl Scouts in California have set up outside dispensaries and Colorados Girl Scouts recently lifted a ban on selling in front of marijuana shops.
But the timing of Girl Scout Cookie season worked in the young entrepreneurs favor this year in Chicago. Legal weed went on sale in Illinois Jan. 1, and long lines continue to form outside weed shops.
snip
more genius at link
February 11, 2020
Mike Bloomberg Slammed Over Unearthed Audio of Himself Defending Stop and Frisk: 'This is Disgusting
Mediaite
By Ken Meyer Feb 11th, 2020, 8:03 am
Mike Bloomberg is facing political blowback after audio emerged of himself giving a full-throated defense of his stop and frisk policy as former New York City mayor.
Progressive podcast host Benjamin Dixon uncovered audio of a speech Bloomberg gave to the Aspen Institute five years ago, which he blocked from public release at the time. In the address, Bloomberg spoke unapologetically in favor of stop and frisk while saying that cities need to put a lot of cops in the streets, particularly in minority neighborhoods.
Ninety-five percent of murders murderers and murder victims fit one M.O. You can just take a description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops. They are male, minorities, 16-25. Thats true in New York, thats true in virtually every city And thats where the real crime is.
snip
By Ken Meyer Feb 11th, 2020, 8:03 am
Mike Bloomberg is facing political blowback after audio emerged of himself giving a full-throated defense of his stop and frisk policy as former New York City mayor.
Progressive podcast host Benjamin Dixon uncovered audio of a speech Bloomberg gave to the Aspen Institute five years ago, which he blocked from public release at the time. In the address, Bloomberg spoke unapologetically in favor of stop and frisk while saying that cities need to put a lot of cops in the streets, particularly in minority neighborhoods.
Ninety-five percent of murders murderers and murder victims fit one M.O. You can just take a description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops. They are male, minorities, 16-25. Thats true in New York, thats true in virtually every city And thats where the real crime is.
snip
more questionable nonsense at link
February 11, 2020
A noun, a verb and South Carolina: Joe Biden's last-ditch primary strategy
Politico
The ex-veep says the first Southern primary and its majority black electorate is the real test of a Democrats strength.
By MARC CAPUTO
02/10/2020 07:13 PM EST
MANCHESTER, N.H. Joe Bidens campaign has one answer to questions about whether his candidacy is collapsing: A noun, a verb and South Carolina.
The state was always the Biden campaigns firewall, but now its a final hope, his rhetorical device to change the narrative of back-to-back losses and still plausibly argue his electability. The first Southern primary is now the rallying point where he dispatched a top adviser Monday, and where his campaigns co-chairman will hold a launch party Tuesday, when the campaign is bracing for a blowout defeat in New Hampshires primary.
In the Biden campaigns telling, South Carolinas Feb. 29 primary and its majority black electorate is the real test of a Democrats strength because no presidential candidate has won the partys nomination without the strong support of African American voters, who are concentrated in the Southeastern states that begin voting March 3.
As part of that argument, the campaigns South Carolina surrogates are spreading the word that New Hampshire voters shouldnt vote for Pete Buttigieg because of his anemic black support.
Whatever happens on Tuesday, Vice President Biden will still be in this race, Symone Sanders, the Biden adviser he dispatched to Columbia, S.C., said repeatedly Tuesday on national and local television. This race very much runs through Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday.
Privately, Bidens campaign advisers sound gloomier notes.
snip
The ex-veep says the first Southern primary and its majority black electorate is the real test of a Democrats strength.
By MARC CAPUTO
02/10/2020 07:13 PM EST
MANCHESTER, N.H. Joe Bidens campaign has one answer to questions about whether his candidacy is collapsing: A noun, a verb and South Carolina.
The state was always the Biden campaigns firewall, but now its a final hope, his rhetorical device to change the narrative of back-to-back losses and still plausibly argue his electability. The first Southern primary is now the rallying point where he dispatched a top adviser Monday, and where his campaigns co-chairman will hold a launch party Tuesday, when the campaign is bracing for a blowout defeat in New Hampshires primary.
In the Biden campaigns telling, South Carolinas Feb. 29 primary and its majority black electorate is the real test of a Democrats strength because no presidential candidate has won the partys nomination without the strong support of African American voters, who are concentrated in the Southeastern states that begin voting March 3.
As part of that argument, the campaigns South Carolina surrogates are spreading the word that New Hampshire voters shouldnt vote for Pete Buttigieg because of his anemic black support.
Whatever happens on Tuesday, Vice President Biden will still be in this race, Symone Sanders, the Biden adviser he dispatched to Columbia, S.C., said repeatedly Tuesday on national and local television. This race very much runs through Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday.
Privately, Bidens campaign advisers sound gloomier notes.
snip
more at link
February 10, 2020
4 parties and a funeral: A day on the trail with Sanders and Biden
Politico
A close-up view of why Bernie is on the brink of victory in New Hampshire and Biden has all but conceded defeat.
By MARC CAPUTO, CHARLIE MAHTESIAN and HOLLY OTTERBEIN
02/10/2020 11:38 AM EST
HAMPTON, N.H. The former Democratic front-runner, Joe Biden, gave two public speeches Sunday, and at both events he told the moving story of a supporter, Gene, whos dying of Stage 4 prostate cancer. He also spoke lovingly about his son, Beau, who died of brain cancer, and gave a hint of the pain surrounding the deaths of his wife and daughter in a 1972 car crash.
At one point, before a hushed crowd that consisted largely of older voters, the former vice president nearly cried into the microphone recalling his sons diagnosis.
The current front-runner, Bernie Sanders, had a very different day.
He held twice as many events, before energized crowds of mostly younger voters. At an evening rally at Keene State College, nearly 2,000 people attended, with lines snaking around the campus. Students danced as they awaited the event speakers. Even prior to Sanders appearance, his supporters stamped their feet so hard it thundered throughout the gym.
The split screen offered a revealing look at the on-the-ground dynamics that have brought Biden to the brink of defeat here in New Hampshire where he has practically conceded he wont win and Sanders to the brink of victory.
snip
A close-up view of why Bernie is on the brink of victory in New Hampshire and Biden has all but conceded defeat.
By MARC CAPUTO, CHARLIE MAHTESIAN and HOLLY OTTERBEIN
02/10/2020 11:38 AM EST
HAMPTON, N.H. The former Democratic front-runner, Joe Biden, gave two public speeches Sunday, and at both events he told the moving story of a supporter, Gene, whos dying of Stage 4 prostate cancer. He also spoke lovingly about his son, Beau, who died of brain cancer, and gave a hint of the pain surrounding the deaths of his wife and daughter in a 1972 car crash.
At one point, before a hushed crowd that consisted largely of older voters, the former vice president nearly cried into the microphone recalling his sons diagnosis.
The current front-runner, Bernie Sanders, had a very different day.
He held twice as many events, before energized crowds of mostly younger voters. At an evening rally at Keene State College, nearly 2,000 people attended, with lines snaking around the campus. Students danced as they awaited the event speakers. Even prior to Sanders appearance, his supporters stamped their feet so hard it thundered throughout the gym.
The split screen offered a revealing look at the on-the-ground dynamics that have brought Biden to the brink of defeat here in New Hampshire where he has practically conceded he wont win and Sanders to the brink of victory.
snip
more great reporting at link
February 10, 2020
Is It Bernie's Party Now?
Politico
The ultimate outsider took over a splintered party from within. Sound familiar?
By MICHAEL KRUSE
02/10/2020 05:25 AM EST
MILFORD, N.H. They were waiting for Bernie Sanders, this crowd of better than a thousand people, spanning three indoor tennis courts at an athletic club, wearing their Bernie hats, their Bernie shirts, their Bernie socks.
Hes what a politician is supposed to be, Donald McCullough, 55, a long-haired restaurant staffer and graphic designer, told me over the sounds of an all-woman rock band called Bad Larrysthis evenings opening act of Sanders increasingly concertlike rallies. Politicians are supposed to be working for us.
A candidate who will fight for the working class, said Mike Bizier, 27. A candidate who has been consistent for 50 years.
I never really paid attention to politics, said Cara Ciminello, 24, with her fiancé, Peter Sughrue, 25, and then we heard Bernie, and we were, like, Hes actually giving us a voice. Hes actually saying what we want to hear, so then we got behind himand now we wont stop till hes in the White House.
snip
The ultimate outsider took over a splintered party from within. Sound familiar?
By MICHAEL KRUSE
02/10/2020 05:25 AM EST
MILFORD, N.H. They were waiting for Bernie Sanders, this crowd of better than a thousand people, spanning three indoor tennis courts at an athletic club, wearing their Bernie hats, their Bernie shirts, their Bernie socks.
Hes what a politician is supposed to be, Donald McCullough, 55, a long-haired restaurant staffer and graphic designer, told me over the sounds of an all-woman rock band called Bad Larrysthis evenings opening act of Sanders increasingly concertlike rallies. Politicians are supposed to be working for us.
A candidate who will fight for the working class, said Mike Bizier, 27. A candidate who has been consistent for 50 years.
I never really paid attention to politics, said Cara Ciminello, 24, with her fiancé, Peter Sughrue, 25, and then we heard Bernie, and we were, like, Hes actually giving us a voice. Hes actually saying what we want to hear, so then we got behind himand now we wont stop till hes in the White House.
snip
much more at link
February 10, 2020
Joe Biden Is Running Out Of Gas
The Daily Beast
The former VP has lost the plot, voters say. And theyre wondering if he will ever get it back.
By Sam Stein
Updated Feb. 09, 2020 7:29AM ET / Published Feb. 08, 2020 10:13PM ET
Forty-five minutes after Joe Bidens first campaign event was supposed to start on Saturday, his crowd had grown restless. The former vice president wasnt at the Rex Theatre in downtown Manchester and those crammed inside were wondering just how much longer theyd have to suck in the heated air before they get to see him speak.
In the rafters, a chant broke out.
We Want Joe! the voices said, overpowering the soundtrack of classic rock and commercial motown that had been playing on blast to keep the crowd from completely dozing off.
But no one picked it up. Instead, after two renditions, the men simply stopped. And those whod bothered to consider joining in the chorus did what theyd been doing since it became clear that the event would not start on time: they dumped their faces back into their cellphones.
snip
The former VP has lost the plot, voters say. And theyre wondering if he will ever get it back.
By Sam Stein
Updated Feb. 09, 2020 7:29AM ET / Published Feb. 08, 2020 10:13PM ET
Forty-five minutes after Joe Bidens first campaign event was supposed to start on Saturday, his crowd had grown restless. The former vice president wasnt at the Rex Theatre in downtown Manchester and those crammed inside were wondering just how much longer theyd have to suck in the heated air before they get to see him speak.
In the rafters, a chant broke out.
We Want Joe! the voices said, overpowering the soundtrack of classic rock and commercial motown that had been playing on blast to keep the crowd from completely dozing off.
But no one picked it up. Instead, after two renditions, the men simply stopped. And those whod bothered to consider joining in the chorus did what theyd been doing since it became clear that the event would not start on time: they dumped their faces back into their cellphones.
snip
more at link
February 10, 2020
Sanders glides toward primary day as moderates brawl
Politico
"Its fratricide at the moment," said one Democrat.
By HOLLY OTTERBEIN and STEPHANIE MURRAY
02/09/2020 06:46 PM EST
PLYMOUTH, New Hampshire Bernie Sanders was battered in Iowa with more than $800,000 in TV attack ads that labeled him a socialist and argued he couldnt beat President Trump.
Here in New Hampshire, the opposite has happened: The airwaves are free of anti-Sanders spots in the days before the first-in-the-nation-primary, and hes watching the moderates shank each other.
Tom Steyer is largely training his advertising firepower onto Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden. The former vice president is mocking Buttigiegs experience and targeting him in a digital spot. Fighting back against Biden, the ex-mayor says hes tired of being a punchline.
The strength of the Vermont senator who is polling first in the state with Buttigieg closely behind him and the sudden lack of resistance to him on the airwaves is sparking anxiety among some moderate Democratic leaders.
Its fratricide at the moment, said a prominent moderate in Washington. Its super bad. Too many mods against Bernie and a fading Warren. Very, very scary.
snip
"Its fratricide at the moment," said one Democrat.
By HOLLY OTTERBEIN and STEPHANIE MURRAY
02/09/2020 06:46 PM EST
PLYMOUTH, New Hampshire Bernie Sanders was battered in Iowa with more than $800,000 in TV attack ads that labeled him a socialist and argued he couldnt beat President Trump.
Here in New Hampshire, the opposite has happened: The airwaves are free of anti-Sanders spots in the days before the first-in-the-nation-primary, and hes watching the moderates shank each other.
Tom Steyer is largely training his advertising firepower onto Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden. The former vice president is mocking Buttigiegs experience and targeting him in a digital spot. Fighting back against Biden, the ex-mayor says hes tired of being a punchline.
The strength of the Vermont senator who is polling first in the state with Buttigieg closely behind him and the sudden lack of resistance to him on the airwaves is sparking anxiety among some moderate Democratic leaders.
Its fratricide at the moment, said a prominent moderate in Washington. Its super bad. Too many mods against Bernie and a fading Warren. Very, very scary.
snip
more great reporting at link
February 10, 2020
Iowa Democrats: Buttigieg edges Sanders for delegates
Politico
The announcement came after a weekend review of disputed precinct totals from last Monday's caucuses.
By ZACH MONTELLARO and HOLLY OTTERBEIN
02/09/2020 06:38 PM EST
Updated: 02/09/2020 07:45 PM EST
Pete Buttigieg has narrowly edged out Bernie Sanders for delegates from last week's Iowa caucuses, according to an announcement late Sunday by the state Democratic Party.
Updated results from the party show Buttigieg with 26.2 percent of state delegate equivalents, compared to 26.1 percent for Sanders. Elizabeth Warren (18 percent) was third, and Joe Biden (15.8 percent) was fourth.
According to the state Democratic Party, Buttigieg is projected to win 14 delegates to the national convention this summer in Milwaukee, while Sanders will get 12 delegates. Warren will receive eight delegates, Joe Biden will get six, and Amy Klobuchar will receive a single delegate.
Sanders did have the support of more caucus-goers, both on the first and final alignments. But because of the caucus rules, he will receive slightly fewer delegates.
snip
The announcement came after a weekend review of disputed precinct totals from last Monday's caucuses.
By ZACH MONTELLARO and HOLLY OTTERBEIN
02/09/2020 06:38 PM EST
Updated: 02/09/2020 07:45 PM EST
Pete Buttigieg has narrowly edged out Bernie Sanders for delegates from last week's Iowa caucuses, according to an announcement late Sunday by the state Democratic Party.
Updated results from the party show Buttigieg with 26.2 percent of state delegate equivalents, compared to 26.1 percent for Sanders. Elizabeth Warren (18 percent) was third, and Joe Biden (15.8 percent) was fourth.
According to the state Democratic Party, Buttigieg is projected to win 14 delegates to the national convention this summer in Milwaukee, while Sanders will get 12 delegates. Warren will receive eight delegates, Joe Biden will get six, and Amy Klobuchar will receive a single delegate.
Sanders did have the support of more caucus-goers, both on the first and final alignments. But because of the caucus rules, he will receive slightly fewer delegates.
snip
more great reporting at link
Profile Information
Name: Joe OtterbeinGender: Male
Hometown: DelMarVa & PA (heading to PNW soon!)
Home country: United States
Current location: York County, PA
Member since: Sun Oct 28, 2012, 09:54 AM
Number of posts: 7,700