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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill's 12:30 Report — From snowy New Hampshire — Trump takes victory lap after impeachment acquittal | Shows off acquittal headlines | Trump, Pelosi take off the gloves | DNC calls for recanvass of caucus results | Latest results show Buttigieg, Sanders virtual tie | Sights and sounds from the New Hampshire trail | Pressure on Buttigieg | 'Antenna guy' follows Biden | Gabbard backers protest CNN
ON THE GROUND IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
T-minus 5 days:
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- It's a snowy morning in southern New Hampshire, slowing down journalists, supporters and politicos who are trying to get to campaign stops in the final stretch. I'm filing from Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Amy KlobucharHillicon Valley: YouTube suspends OANN amid lawmaker pressure | Dems probe Facebook, Twitter over Georgia runoff | FCC reaffirms ZTE's national security risk Democrats urge YouTube to remove election misinformation, step up efforts ahead of Georgia runoff YouTube temporarily suspends OANN account after spreading coronavirus misinformation MORE's (D-Minn.) campaign stop in Manchester, where she is speaking at the World Affairs Council.
And when I say snow: It snowed overnight and has slowly shifted to a gross wintry mix this morning.
Livestream of Klobuchar's remarks: https://cs.pn/2H0uDkT
Photo of the media at the event: I’d say there are as many media members as there are attendees: http://bit.ly/2Utciom
And here’s a photo of Klobuchar as she begins her remarks: http://bit.ly/39c4uLP
Lol: "Can't believe it's New Hampshire already. I'm still writing 'caucuses' on all my checks." (From NBC's Alex Seitz-Wald) http://bit.ly/3bgejdF
Happy Thursday! Filing with my snow boots, hand warmers and a coffee, I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
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FROM TEAM WARREN:
The Warren campaign has this down to an exact science:
Speed selfie line with @SenWarren pic.twitter.com/DPE0hWQ3rA
— Cate Martel (@CateMartel) February 5, 2020
Watch: http://bit.ly/2vdoG17
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM Joe Biden
Joe BidenPennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down GOP bid to stop election certification Biden looks to career officials to restore trust, morale in government agencies Biden transition adds new members to coronavirus task force MORE'S CAMPAIGN STOPS:
Biden defended climate change protesters who interrupted him: "These guys are OK. They want to do the same thing I want to do. They want to phase out fossil fuels and we're going to phase out fossil fuels." (Via Fox News's Paul Steinhauser) Watch: http://bit.ly/2UtyH4X
This is good campaign trail content: Here's an antenna guy shouting at Biden. Do you have a better way to describe hm other than 'antenna guy?' Watch: http://bit.ly/2OxmBUN
Antenna guy got around: "This antenna guy followed @joebiden out of the venue and then tried to jump in [NBC's Mike Memoli's] liveshot. Fun times in New Hampshire!" (Via The Daily Mail's Nikki Schwab) Photo: http://bit.ly/3bf0wUE
What Biden had to say about Iowa: "I'm not going to sugar coat it, we took a gut punch in Iowa." Watch his full comments: http://bit.ly/2Uv1m9L
Biden, who has struggled with stuttering, showed a 12-year-old how he marks up speeches: "Joe Biden invited 12-year-old Brayden Harrington backstage Tuesday in Concord to talk about his stutter, and showed him how he marks up speeches. 'He was basically showing him a strategy. He normalized it,' Brayden's father Owen said." (Via CNN's Kate Sullivan and Eric Bradner) Photos: http://bit.ly/2vVJfQi
Finding the perfect pose: Biden posed for a photo with a group of attendees in AARP jackets. Photo of Biden crouched over: http://bit.ly/2ufVIxT
FROM Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersClub for Growth to launch ad blitz in Georgia to juice GOP turnout Inequality of student loan debt underscores possible Biden policy shift In defense of incrementalism: A call for radical realism MORE:
Sanders on why he wore a tie on Wednesday: "[Sen. Sanders (I-Vt.)] notes he's wearing a tie today because he's going to D.C. after this to vote to remove Trump for office. His comments about impeachment are going on longer than usual, he's talking about he learned a lot about the constitution during the impeachment trial." (Via The Wall Street Journal's Eliza Collins) Photo: http://bit.ly/39aJpBB
The Airport Diner does have excellent omelets ;)
At the Airport Diner w/ Jane, Bernie is asked by a fan what he had for breakfast. “An omelet,” he answered, sans smile. “Excellent.” pic.twitter.com/A4wiMhUMKK
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) February 6, 2020
TIDBITS FROM Andrew Yang
Andrew YangGroups seek to get Black vote out for Democrats in Georgia runoffs Media and Hollywood should stop their marching-to-Georgia talk Andrew Yang: Democrats need to adopt message that government is 'working for them' MORE'S CAMPAIGN:
Here's a photo of Yang speaking to climate activists in Concord: http://bit.ly/383Yg0F
When Yang arrived in New Hampshire at 4 a.m. on Tuesday: Here's a photo: http://bit.ly/386gwq1
One of Yang's big applause lines: "when he said he doesn't dislike Trump supporters. He loves them and wants to help improve their lives." (Via WHDH's Brandon Gunnoe) http://bit.ly/2S4axN6
FROM Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi GabbardSix people whose election wins made history Next Congress expected to have record diversity Native Americans elected to Congress in record numbers this year MORE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Gabbard's campaign protested outside of Saint Anselm College: CNN is hosting eight Democratic presidential candidates for televised town halls this week, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) was notably missing from the lineup. So, a group of more than 100 supporters held signs and protested CNN. (Via Boston.com's Nik DeCosta-Klipa) Watch: http://bit.ly/2S3cVDt
Aw, look at the dog who backs Gabbard!: http://bit.ly/2H1Hrre
A woman asking Gabbard a question was filming, so Gabbard grabbed her phone and recorded her: Here is video: http://bit.ly/2H5VQ5v
HOW IOWA HAS RAISED THE STAKES FOR Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg'Biff is president': Michael J. Fox says Trump has played on 'every worst instinct in mankind' Buttigieg: Denying Biden intelligence briefings is about protecting Trump's 'ego' Biden's win is not a policy mandate — he should govern accordingly MORE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Via The Hill's Amie Parnes and Jonathan Easley: http://bit.ly/2tyGhQM
WHERE TO FIND THE CANDIDATES TODAY:
Michael Bennet
Michael Farrand BennetDemocratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry Hickenlooper ousts Gardner in Colorado, handing Democrats vital pickup Lobbying world MORE: Brentwood
Pete Buttigieg: Merrimack
Tulsi Gabbard: Claremont and Lebanon
Amy Klobuchar: Manchester
Deval Patrick
Deval PatrickThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Calls mount to start transition as Biden readies Cabinet picks Merrick Garland on list to be Biden's attorney general: report Ralph Gants, chief justice of Massachusetts supreme court, dies at 65 MORE: Laconia, Durham and Manchester
Bernie Sanders: Manchester
Tom Steyer
Tom SteyerBiden Cabinet picks largely unify Democrats — so far Late donor surges push election spending projections to new heights New voters surge to the polls MORE: Keene and Manchester
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenInequality of student loan debt underscores possible Biden policy shift Thomas Piketty says pandemic is opportunity to address income inequality The Memo: Biden faces tough road on pledge to heal nation MORE: Derry
Bill Weld
William (Bill) WeldRalph Gants, chief justice of Massachusetts supreme court, dies at 65 The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden visits Kenosha | Trump's double-voting suggestion draws fire | Facebook clamps down on election ads Biden picks up endorsements from nearly 100 Republicans MORE: Hudson and Durham
Andrew Yang: Plymouth, Dover and Exeter
What about Biden?:
Five days from the New Hampshire primary — and one day from a high-stakes debate — Joe Biden has no events in the state. And a charter plane last night flew from Manchester, NH, to Wilmington, Delaware. pic.twitter.com/byoobThTpB
— Matt Viser (@mviser) February 6, 2020
THE LATEST RESULTS IN IOWA
We are up to 97 percent of precincts reporting!
Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sanders nearly tied in the Iowa Democratic caucuses, according to results that were released overnight. http://bit.ly/384f5IR
The numbers:
Buttigieg: 26.2 percent
Sanders: 26.1 percent -- a difference of 3 out of 1,097 votes (!)
Warren: 18.2 percent.
Biden: 15.8 percent
Klobuchar: 12.2 percent.
Live results: http://bit.ly/2S4KQM5
Breaking from DNC Chair Tom Perez
Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE:
Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez just called for a recanvass in Iowa after the blunder with its caucus results. http://bit.ly/2S22iRw
Perez tweeted: “Enough is enough. In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results, I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass.”
MEANWHILE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Breaking from President Trump
Donald John TrumpPennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down GOP bid to stop election certification Biden looks to career officials to restore trust, morale in government agencies Sunday shows preview: US health officials brace for post-holiday COVID-19 surge MORE -- I'm a free man:
President Trump is holding a press conference in the White House to discuss his acquittal of the two impeachment articles. Here are a few highlights:
On the impeachment trial: "It was all bullshit," Trump says. http://bit.ly/2OwBgzF
On whether he did anything wrong -- Oh.: "'I've done things wrong in my life I will admit ...' says Pres. Trump but he insists not in this matter." http://bit.ly/2OxKoUy
On Russia: "We ended up winning on Russia, Russia, Russia. They kept it going forever because they wanted to inflict political pain on somebody who had just won an election to a lot of people who were surprised." http://bit.ly/39bdYaj
Photo from the room: http://bit.ly/2vYPeUB
Livestream: Watch Trump's press conference. It's pretty wild. http://bit.ly/2S43ioc
'Acquitted and it feels so good!':
The morning after his acquittal of impeachment articles, President Trump showed off newspaper headlines from USA Today and The Washington Post at the National Prayer Breakfast. http://bit.ly/36X7IS4
Video of Trump showing off the headlines: http://bit.ly/31CmTPt
In Trump's words: "Weeks ago, and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, fortitude and strength to do what everyone knows was right," Trump said. "I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say 'I pray for you' when they know that's not so."
Guys, I think President Trump and Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiClub for Growth to launch ad blitz in Georgia to juice GOP turnout Governors take heat for violating their own coronavirus restrictions Spending deal clears obstacle in shutdown fight MORE may legitimately brawl soon:
Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning -- (you can't make this up): President Trump took swipes at Pelosi and Romney this morning. "President Trump on Thursday swiped at Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyBiden's Cabinet a battleground for future GOP White House hopefuls The Memo: GOP mulls its future after Trump Biden teams to meet with Trump administration agencies MORE (R-Utah) for invoking religion during the impeachment proceedings while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast." http://bit.ly/375IcKu
Followed by Pelosi’s press conference: Pelosi accused President Trump of looking “a bit sedated” when she extended her hand at the State of the Union address for a handshake. In her words: "It was also an act of kindness, because he looked to me like he was a little bit sedated,” Pelosi said. “He looked that way last year too. But that was that. He didn’t want to shake hands? That meant nothing to me.” http://bit.ly/380DbEa
Pelosi was asked if tearing up Trump’s address stepped on her own message to take the high road: "I did not. I tore up a manifesto of mistruth," Pelosi responded.
Pelosi on Romney's vote to convict the president: "God bless him for his courage," she said. http://bit.ly/31uM1I1
Livestream of Pelosi's press conference: http://bit.ly/31xxFqe
TIDBITS FROM THE CAPTIOL:
The Senate subway was a madhouse post-acquittal: Notice Sanders in the background! Photo: http://bit.ly/31CgqEb
Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell halts in-person Republican lunches amid COVID-19 surge Biden and reproductive health rights Biden's Cabinet a battleground for future GOP White House hopefuls MORE's runway walk: Work it. Photo: http://bit.ly/2S3v5Fh
Capitol Hill protesters after dark: http://bit.ly/38aUfHS
Tidbit -- Pelosi pre-ripped Trump's speech: Via The New York post, Pelosi reportedly made small tears in the pages before dramatically ripping her copy. http://bit.ly/31vWOS4
Video of Romney's viral speech: http://bit.ly/2H0Jeg5
NOTABLE TWEETS
Marianne Williamson
Marianne WilliamsonMarianne Williamson discusses America's "soulless ethos" Marianne Williamson discusses speaking at People's Party Convention Fewer people watched opening night of Democratic convention compared to 2016 MORE is trying to raise money:
Update: Ticket prices have been dropped as low at $50 and livestream as low as $29
— Daniel Newhauser (@dnewhauser) February 6, 2020
Generally not a sign of great sales https://t.co/SGv9USUaOi
ON TAP
The House is in. The Senate is out. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.
This morning: President Trump and Vice President Pence attended the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton.
11 a.m. EST: President Trump holds a credentialing ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to Washington, D.C.
1 p.m. EST: First votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2S42zU0
2 p.m. EST: President Trump and Vice President Pence meet with the president of Kenya.
4:30 p.m. EST: President Trump received a Coronavirus Task Force update in the Oval Office.
6:30 p.m. EST: Last votes in the House.
3 p.m. EST Monday: The Senate meets. The Senate's full schedule: http://bit.ly/2H1goMA
WHAT TO WATCH
Noon: President Trump delivered remarks. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2S43ioc
11:35 p.m. EST: Buttigieg will appear on CBS's "The Late Show." http://bit.ly/3bhsDCI
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...
Today is National Frozen Yogurt Day.
And because you made it this far, here's a puppy who waited for Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzFormer CIA head, Cruz trade jabs over killing of Iranian nuclear scientist: 'You are unworthy to represent the good people of Texas' O'Brien on 2024 talk: 'There's all kinds of speculation out there' Ocasio-Cortez, Cruz trade jabs over COVID-19 relief: People 'going hungry as you tweet from' vacation MORE (R-Texas) to finish speaking before he walked past: http://bit.ly/2S1pMGr
(From journalist Matt Laslo)
