Good morning! Here is your news brfiefing for Thursday March 12, 2020
THE DAILY SIGNAL
Mar 12, 2020
Good morning from Washington, where President Trump seeks to reassure the nation that we will get through the crisis prompted by the coronavirus. We’ve got the latest news from Fred Lucas, an explainer on COVID-19 from Dr. Kevin Pham, and a proposal to help the needy from Paul Winfree and Marie Fishpaw. On the podcast, a congressman with his own health challenge dismisses “Medicare for All.” Plus: debunking “nice” socialism and revealing the origins of the women’s movement. On this date in 1947, President Harry Truman asks Congress to help Greece and Turkey fend off communism, a policy that becomes known as the Truman Doctrine.
COVID-19 is not “just like the flu.” It may or may not ultimately infect and kill as many people as influenza viruses, but those who do contract the disease are at greater risk.
Today, the federal government spends more than $1.1 trillion annually on welfare benefits through a system that can provide the platform for a narrow, temporary, and targeted response if one becomes necessary.
The Supreme Court delivers a win for the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, blocking a federal court injunction that would have limited a program that requires asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico.
“Medicare for All” is “going to take money out of the system for our doctors and hospitals,” says Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn. “That’s going to degrade care. It’s going to force people to have longer waiting systems.”
On this episode, we say goodbye to our co-host, Kelsey Bolar. Before she goes, Kelsey joins us to discuss our favorite topics: feminism and conservatism.
China’s government initially “covered up” the new coronavirus and delayed global response to the disease by at least two months, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien says.
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THE EPOCH TIMES
Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Get your tickets for the 2020 season today.
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Good morning,
Experts say that the reported fatality rate of the coronavirus in the United States is overestimated.
Additionally, the infectious disease specialists say the number of confirmed cases doesn’t tell the whole story, as untested and recovered patients, as well as mild cases, aren’t fully counted.
Infectious disease specialists and health experts say that while cases of the new coronavirus will likely continue to grow in the United States, current case fatality rates appear to be an overestimation. Read more
Overregulation of diagnostic testing has played a major role in delaying the U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak. The existing rules have created a bottleneck in the delivery of testing kits… Read more
Weak recent showings in key states mean self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders’s quest for the Democratic Party’s 2020 presidential nomination is doomed, political observers told The Epoch Times, even though the candidate himself has vowed to remain in the race. Read more
With COVID-19 infections skyrocketing in countries outside China, the Chinese regime has recently ratcheted up propaganda portraying its containment measures as a model for others to follow. Read more
Former Vice President Joe Biden built a significant lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the Democratic primary race on March 10, scoring a key victory in the battleground state of Michigan and picking up wins in Missouri, Mississippi, and Idaho. Read more
Jeff Sessions has responded to President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his former attorney general’s Republican opponent in a runoff for the party’s U.S. Senate nomination in Alabama, saying he intends to bring his case “directly to the people.” Read more
Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired civilization. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. It is an immersive experience that will uplift your spirit and transport you to a magical world. It’s 5,000 years of civilization reborn!
Wuhan Virus Delivers Wake-up Call for US National Identity
By Michael WalshNo matter how the coronavirus scare turns out—anything from the second coming of the Black Death to an only slightly extraordinary version of the flu—one thing is certain: the United States must never again outsource its critical industries to ideologically hostile countries that can hold the nation hostage. Read more
With Biden’s Victory the Center Holds, Even as Anti-American Left Grows
By Conrad BlackThe partial Biden sweep in this week’s primaries effectively assure his nomination and confirm that the party elders, panicked by the thought of the self-styled Marxist revolutionary, Bernie Sanders, again closed ranks, as they did in 2016, to ensure that the forces of comparative moderation prevailed. Read more
Today’s GDP: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
By Valentin Schmid
(July 31, 2014)In today’s business world, acronyms are used so often that people sometimes forget the words behind them. And no other three letters carry more weight than the big three in GDP. Read more
In this episode of American Thought Leaders at CPAC 2020, we’ll sit down with Chris Burns, the Founder, and Principal of Dynamic Money, a financial planning firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. We discuss the impact of coronavirus fears on stock markets and what individual investors should be doing in response.
The talk included news that the U.S. would suspend travel from Europe (Fox News). Despite the circumstances, many Democrats are in no mood for unity, and harshly criticized everything Trump said and the way he said it (Red State). CNN’s Jim Acosta claims Trump calling the virus “foreign” smacks of “xenophobia” (Washington Examiner). From Rich Lowry: Let’s hope Trump strikes the same notes on the virus going forward as he did tonight. He was sober and emphasized the challenges ahead, but Teleprompter Trump is always better than Twitter Trump or Press Availability Trump. He emphasized best practices for personal hygiene and mentioned social distancing. He didn’t sugarcoat the threat to the elderly, urging them to avoid crowds. He also touted an agreement with the health-insurance industry to eliminate co-pays for treatment and to prevent surprise billing (National Review).
2.
WHO Declares Coronavirus a Global Pandemic
A look at what that means (Fox News). From Hugh Hewitt: Sensible precautions and “flattening the curve” well underway, and in comparison with 1918 —for the 100th time, read John Barry’s The Great Influenza— the world is moving at light speed. As is the scientific elites. It’s a bad situation but it isn’t 2008 or 9/11 (Twitter). The virus can survive on some surfaces for up to three days (AP). South Korea explains how they were able to slow a rapidly growing coronavirus outbreak (Twitter). More South Korea analysis (Twitter). Tom Hanks and his wife have the virus (Deadline). Why cruise ships are largely unregulated (Politico).
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3.
Rove: Sanders Won’t Hit Biden Where He’s Vulnerable
Karl Rove explains “Mr. Sanders also may think he’ll do better in a one-on-one race, raising the stakes for Sunday’s debate. It’s perhaps the senator’s last chance to slow the Joe-mentum. But his usual attacks on Mr. Biden’s record on Iraq and trade are too backward-focused. Voters are more concerned with future performance, including vision and fitness for the job. Yet raising questions about Mr. Biden’s mental acuity—his ability to string coherent sentences together—is hard to do without offending some voters” (WSJ). Biden has been caught in yet another lie, claiming he didn’t believe Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction when he said on the Senate floor in 2002 that he believed he did (The Dispatch). A look at how he has drifted far left (Townhall). Meanwhile, Hugh Hewitt looks at a Trump v Biden matchup and how different these two would govern (Washington Post).
4.
NBA Cancels Season
After one player tested positive for the coronavirus (Townhall). And the NCAA chimed in on the biggest event in March and one of the most exciting of the year, announcing there will no fans allowed in (Washington Times). A roundtable meeting called “Doing Business Under Coronavirus” has been canceled because they don’t want to do business under coronavirus (Bloomberg).
5.
Coronavirus Reveals Need to End Dependence on China for Drugs
From the story: The effort includes a push by the White House trade adviser Peter Navarro to tighten “Buy American” laws so federal agencies are required to purchase American-made pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, according to people with knowledge of the plans (NY Times). From Ted Cruz: This is a serious problem. As the current crisis illustrates, we should NOT be dependent on China for life-saving medicines. We can’t keep giving China that economic/military weapon. We need domestic capacity, made in the USA, to protect American lives (Twitter).
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6.
Worker Whom Biden Cussed Out Speaks
Jerry Wayne, the worker, was on Fox and Friends yesterday morning.
Fascinating moment from the story: Engelmayer said that numerous friends of Weinstein offered to write letters to the judge attesting to his character, but that every single person insisted on writing an anonymous letter to protect their own reputations.
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“Donald Trump suspends travel from Europe to U.S.” via Kevin Liptak and Meagan Vasquez of CNN — Trump said he was “marshaling the full power of the federal government” to confront a growing public health crisis, including a monthlong halt in travel from Europe to the United States. The President was overseeing “the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history.” Trump was speaking during a rare Oval Office address to the nation after facing harsh criticism for his response to the pandemic. “We’ll be talking about that later. All those things we’re making a decision on,” he added.
Donald Trump speaks in an address to the nation from the Oval Office about the coronavirus. Image via AP.
“Three new cases of coronavirus in Florida” via WINK — One of the cases is the first such case in Miami-Dade County, another is an out-of-state resident in St. Johns County and there is another new case confirmed in Broward County. A 63-year old male New York resident who is currently in St. Johns County, a 56-year old male in Miami-Dade County, and a 70-year old male in Broward County, each tested as positive. All three have been isolated.
“NBA suspends its season” via Mike Florio of NBC Sports — As the NBA was considering playing the balance of its season without fans, the NBA has unexpectedly — and swiftly — taken things a step farther. After Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus, the NBA suspended its season. It’s unclear when the season will continue, but it will not continue for the foreseeable future. And that will surely prompt other sports leagues to consider taking similar action, whether it’s Major League Baseball, the NHL, Major League Soccer, or the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
Now, s**t’s getting real: “Tom Hanks says he has coronavirus” via Nicole Sperling of The New York Times — Hanks said that he and his wife, Rita Wilson, learned they had the coronavirus. The 63-year-old Academy Award-winning actor is in Australia, where he was set to film a movie about the life of Elvis Presley. “Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia,” Hanks said in a statement. “We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers, too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus, and were found to be positive.” He added that he and Wilson “will be tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires.”
___
The biggest question about Florida’s primary Tuesday isn’t whether Joe Biden will win. It’s if Bernie Sanders can crack 15%.
A survey from St. Pete Polls shows 69% of likely Democratic voters in Florida favor Biden. Meanwhile, just under 14% prefer Sanders.
Biden’s 55% lead shows continued growth in the state for the Democratic front-runner, who enjoyed a string of electoral successes.
St. Pete Polls has found strong support in Florida for Biden since January but identified Mike Bloomberg as his most significant threat. The New York billionaire even surged of Biden in February, but quickly fell back to earth after a poor performance at his first debate.
In a new poll, Joe Biden is pulling ahead in Florida.
Since then, Biden consistently climbed in standings. The now-Democratic front-runner claimed just 26% support at his mid-February nadir and but now scratches for 70% as he hits a zenith.
As other candidates dropped out, most of their support consolidated behind Biden. This week’s results mark an 8% gain for the former Vice President and a 2% rise for Sanders from a week ago.
But that still puts Sanders under a 15% threshold needed to guarantee Florida delegates at the Democratic National Convention.
Florida has 219 delegates at stake in the primary. Of those, 76 will be given out based on the statewide vote, but only to candidates who crack the 15% threshold.
Other delegates will be awarded based on performance within Congressional districts, so it’s unlikely Sanders leaves Florida empty-handed.
But Biden’s popularity here crushes Sanders — and has for some time.
Florida Politics commissioned the poll and posted results here.
___
Another poll from the University of North Florida affirms Biden ahead of his Democratic opponents. Survey results from the Public Opinion Research Lab found the Democratic front-runner with 66% support and Sanders at 22%. This poll included Tulsi Gabbard, but she came in with just 1%, under the 2.5% margin of error. Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren garner 2% each.
“This is down to a two-man race, and Biden is looking toward a blowout in Florida,” said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL director.
When asked the type of candidates Democrats need, 68% want someone who can beat Trump, and 29% want someone who reflects their views. Some 58% of respondents are pleased with the Democratic Party’s direction, while 13% see it skewing too liberal, and 14% see it swaying too moderate.
The UNF team asked America’s most pressing problem; 31% selected health care, and 14% called out Trump by name. The environment came in third at 12%.
___
Florida Politics partnered for the first time AARP Florida to learn the political priorities of the state’s most reliable voting bloc — those over age 50. With a Democratic presidential primary around the corner, pollsters asked the top priority voters have in picking a candidate.
Nearly 98% of Democratic voters age 50 and older list Social Security and Medicare as extremely or very important when picking a candidate. Some 96% say the same about honesty in government. About 95% rank health care as high, and 90% offer the same assessment regarding the high cost of prescription drugs.
That’s no surprise to AARP leaders tracking policy in Florida for years.
“We’re making strides to lower the cost of prescription drugs in Florida, but that’s only a portion of the health care picture,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida state director. “Keeping Social Security and Medicare healthy and viable remain another top priority.”
The poll also found 85% of older residents here worry about the deep divisions in America often or somewhat often. About 75% worry that prices in America are growing faster than their incomes, and 71% experience concerns over health care costs.
Johnson said Florida’s AARP voters would apply careful scrutiny to candidates before they vote.
“This election is important to everybody, but we predict women will bring extra scrutiny to the voting booths,” Johnson said. “They value ethics, trustworthiness and intelligence as important characteristics for their leaders who’ll tackle the important issues of health care and high prescription drug costs.”
Today’s Sunrise
Gov. Ron DeSantis offers the latest details on the coronavirus in Florida — imposing new limits on who can visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities and universities are holding online classes.
Also, on today’s Sunrise:
— It’s a good day for House Speaker José Oliva; his health care bills for pharmacists and advance practice nurses cleared both chambers and are headed for the Governor. But the Speaker can’t win them all — VISIT FLORIDA won’t go out of business this year.
— A bill called the Clean Waterways Act cleared the Legislature and is also on its way to the Governor. Backers of the bill say it’s a game-changer for Florida’s environment.
— Rep. Kristin Jacobs talks about her bill Banning shark finning in Florida that is still awaiting final action in the Legislature.
— And the adventures of Florida man, who is blaming his behavior on a batch of bad cocaine.
—@RealDonaldTrump: Someone needs to tell the Democrats in Congress that CoronaVirus doesn’t care what party you are in. We need to protect ALL Americans!
—@Molly_Knight: There’s no way to tell people to cancel all non-essential plans without sounding hysterical. But the NBA just canceled their season. Please understand how bad this public health situation is for a professional sports league to do that.
—@Redistrict: If you ever need a reminder how fast politics/world events can be turned upside-down, early last week we were talking about a possible contested convention. Now, maybe no convention?
—@DougHeye: I still can’t believe the Sam Donaldson endorsement didn’t have more legs.
—@NikkiFried: This is the most important election of our lifetimes. The time for unity is now — and the candidate to unite behind is @JoeBiden. Joe’s diverse coalition and selfless service will restore America’s moral compass and leadership at home and abroad. I’m excited to stand with Joe!
—@FLSecofState: Voters with symptoms of #COVID19 can designate someone to pick up their vote-by-mail ballot for them as late as Election Day by filling out affidavits for the designee. Voted ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. Election Day.
—@SteveLemongello: Government Orders Barn Doors Closed in Attempt to Prevent Further Horse Escapes
Tweet, tweet:
—@RealMichaelW: What if Pollen cures Corona?
Days until
11th Democratic debate in Phoenix — 3; Florida’s presidential primary — 5; Last day of 2020 Session (maybe) — 6; Super Tuesday III — 5; “After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News” premieres on HBO — 7 MLB Opening Day — 14; Quibi launches — 25; Easter — 31; First quarter campaign reports due — 34; Florida TaxWatch Spring Board Meeting begins — 34; TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards — 35; Last day of federal candidate qualifying — 39; NFL Draft — 42; Mother’s Day — 59; Florida Chamber Summit on Prosperity and Economic Opportunity — 64; Last day of state candidate qualifying — 88; “Top Gun: Maverick” premieres — 106; Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee begins — 122; Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” premieres — 126; 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo start (maybe) — 134; Florida primaries for 2020 state legislative/congressional races — 159; Republican National Convention begins in Charlotte — 165; First presidential debate in Indiana — 201; First vice presidential debate at the University of Utah — 209; Second presidential debate scheduled at the University of Michigan — 217; Third presidential debate at Belmont — 224; 2020 General Election — 236; “No Time to Die” premieres (now) — 258.
Top story
“Is there community spread of coronavirus in Florida? DeSantis tries to clear it up” via Samantha Gross of the Miami Herald — At a press conference, DeSantis said he spoke with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading infectious disease expert on the federal Coronavirus Task Force, who plainly stated at a briefing that Florida is one of four states with “community spread” of the disease and therefore elevated risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines community spread as: “People have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.” The multiple cases of coronavirus in Broward County tied to a cruise services company at Port Everglades were not evidence of community spread, which DeSantis said was what Fauci referred to when he listed Florida.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies before a House Oversight Committee hearing. Image via AP.
“Coronavirus impact spreads across Florida as more cases hit Tampa Bay” via Zachary Sampson and Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — Unanswered questions hovered over Florida’s coronavirus response Wednesday even as residents learned of new cases in Tampa Bay and several groups made difficult calls to cancel events or limit public gatherings. DeSantis continued to push back on the idea that “community spread” has occurred here despite a national infectious disease specialist’s assertion to the contrary Tuesday. The disagreement between state and federal officials was another example of the confused, shifting messaging that has formed an undertow to Florida’s response to coronavirus for two weeks.
Assignment editors — DeSantis, joined by Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew, Jackson Health System President and CEO Carlos Migoya, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez and Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson, will hold a news conference, 11:30 a.m., Jackson Memorial Hospital, Diagnostic Treatment Center, Room 259, 1080 NW 19th Street, Miami.
“Florida universities shifting classes online amid coronavirus fears” via Wells Dusenbury of the Orlando Sentinel — Schools in the state university system will begin shifting to online classes as soon as possible, the Florida Board of Governors announced Wednesday, in efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In addition, universities have been instructed to send all students home for at least two weeks. While students at several colleges are already home for spring break, the Board of Governors directed schools currently in session to shift to online classes immediately. Students at those schools are encouraged to return home for at least two weeks.
Dateline: Tally
“Ron DeSantis quickly signs scope of practice bills into law” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — DeSantis signed a pair of scope of practice bills into law Wednesday night. Both were major priorities for House Speaker José Oliva. One measure allows pharmacists to “test and treat” for the flu. The bill includes strep tests, lice, skin conditions like ringworm, and minor, non-chronic conditions on the list of possible pharmacist treatments. Another bill would allow ARPNs to admit to, handle care in, or discharge patients from facilities.
Tweet, tweet:
“Budget deal in sight; final vote expected for next Wednesday” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Senate President Bill Galvano said Wednesday that a deal on the state’s budget is in sight. The goal is to finalize the budget Friday, setting up a 72-hour cooling-off period extended by another day because legislators will not work on Tuesday, the day of the Florida Presidential Preference Primary. Budget items moved through conference committees over the weekend, and unresolved issues were “bumped” to Senate budget chair Rob Bradley and House counterpart Travis Cummings. One sticking point has been teacher pay, where the House and Senate have had different views. “We’re working on a final number for teacher pay where we include starting teachers and veteran teachers,” Galvano said. Another sticking point has been the tax cut package. Galvano said he expects a $50 million cushion and noted that “anything’s in play” for those cuts.
“Senators start reworking tax package” via Jim Turner of News Service of Florida — Senators eliminated a proposed tax cut for the aviation industry and a plan to expand the use of local tourist-development tax dollars, as lawmakers started to trim a House tax package Wednesday amid the economic threat of the novel coronavirus. The bill is expected to appear Thursday on the Senate floor. Appropriations Chairman Bradley said he expects more changes, but maintained support for some of the high profile features of the House’s $120.5 million package: back-to-school and hurricane preparedness sales-tax “holidays” and a 0.5 percentage-point reduction in the communications services tax.
“Key Florida senators OK tax breaks sought by mobile-home companies, Miami Dolphins owner” via Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinel — With only a few days remaining in the 2020 Session, a key Senate committee on Wednesday approved a $230 million package of tax cuts. Three Central Florida senators — Republican Sens. David Simmons and Kelli Stargel and Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart — were among those that voted in favor of the tax breaks (HB 7097). Legislative leaders have said this week they are re-evaluating some of their spending plans — such as raises for public school teachers — because they want to set aside more money in reserves in case the coronavirus pandemic triggers a recession. Yet senators added several new tax breaks to the mix on Wednesday.
“How did the House subpoena Tiffany Carr? Let us count the ways” via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald — Carr won’t be appearing at the meeting of the Florida House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee. But that’s not because legislative attorneys didn’t try to get the former CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence to show up. In fact, they attempted to serve her a subpoena a dozen ways at her four homes in two states. House Rules “ordinarily requires personal service of House subpoenas, and we undertook efforts to serve Ms. Carr personally,’’ the House reported in a statement released on the committee website. But the House waived its rules so that it could serve a subpoena on Carr by “any means sufficient to comply,” fearing there was a “risk that Ms. Carr would evade personal service.”
“With baby due, Jennifer Sullivan drops reelection bid” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — With a long-distance marriage to an Air Force officer and a baby due in late April, Republican Rep. Sullivan has decided to step away from a potential fourth term in office to focus on her new and growing family. Sullivan, 28, of Eustis, was one of the youngest lawmakers ever elected when she took office in 2014 in House District 31 in Lake and Orange counties and has risen to chair of the House Education Committee. Sullivan said that she has been commuting between Florida and Texas since she got married and her husband was assigned to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene.
Legislation
“DCF program accountability bill heads to DeSantis for signature” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — Representatives gave final approval to Senate President-Designate Wilton Simpson’s bill (SB 1326). The legislation aims to bring accountability over the next four years to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). It would appropriate more than $5.3 million to the DCF for the next fiscal year to implement some of the bill’s provisions. The total recurring cost of the bill is nearly $40 million. Destin Republican Rep. Mel Ponder, who helped shepherd the bill through the House, thanked Simpson, the First Family and others for bringing the legislation together. Building it with interested parties helped create legislation he said would create an environment to support welfare workers.
Wilton Simpson’s DCF accountability bill heads to Ron DeSantis.
“GOP lawmakers target ballot initiatives” via Dara Kam of News Service of Florida — Republican lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a proposal that would impose a series of new restrictions on ballot initiatives, sending the measure to DeSantis with a party-line vote in the House. The far-reaching proposal would increase a petition-signature threshold triggering Florida Supreme Court reviews, require all ballot measures — including those placed on the ballot by the Legislature — to have statements about potential impacts on the state budget and allow county elections supervisors to charge more to verify petition signatures. The House’s action came two days after the Senate passed the measure in a 23-17 party-line vote.
“Bill offering relief for man shot by Palm Beach Sheriff’s deputy heads to Governor” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The Senate approved a measure offering $4.5 million to Dontrell Stephens after Stephens was shot in 2013 by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Adams Lin. That shooting left Stephens paralyzed and in a wheelchair. He is now homeless. The House had already approved the bill (HB 6501), meaning the measure will now head to DeSantis. Stephens will receive nearly $3.4 million directly, while the remaining sum will go toward legal expenses. A jury trial found Stephens was entitled to $22.5 million. Stephens’ attorneys have fought for at least $15 million to be paid out. The House and Senate fought back and forth over the exact compensation package.
“Holocaust education bill is amended and must bounce back to House” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics — A Sen. Randolph Bracy amendment would call on the Education Commissioner’s African American History Task Force to recommend ways the history of the Ocoee Massacre can be taught in schools was added, meaning the House will have to vote on it. The House bill, by Rep. Randy Fine, was subbed for the virtually identical Senate version from Sen. Lauren Book. That bill (HB 1213) would require the Florida Department of Education to give schools curriculum standards for teaching the subject in K-12 schools. It also mandates that every school district and charter school also teach students about the state’s policy against anti-Semitism.
“House cleans up smoking, vaping at 21 bill; draws dissent” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — The House approved a bill raising the smoking and vaping age to 21. But even with changes to Republican Sen. David Simmons’ proposal, some Representatives said the legislation is flawed. “This amendment absolutely, 100%, has to pass solely because the underlying bill, Senate Bill 810, is an awful overreach that was sent over to us that we have to analyze,” Rep. Alex Andrade said. Republican Reps. Jackie Toledo and Ray Rodrigues made changes delaying the start date of the age hike five months to the start of 2021, ensuring permitted store employees below 21 years old can sell tobacco and vape products and clarifying that vape product permits don’t carry a $50 fee.
More legislation
“Bill aimed at battling algae blooms headed to DeSantis” via John Kennedy of USA TODAY — Legislation aimed at easing the state’s wide-ranging water problems by tightening oversight of runoff from farms, urban development and Florida’s 2.7 million septic tanks was approved by the House. The House’s 118-0 vote follows similar, 39-0 approval last week in the Senate. The measure now goes to DeSantis, who is expected to sign it. “This is the most important thing we’ve done for water in this state in 10 years,” said Sen. Ben Albritton, a sponsor of the legislation (SB 712), which supporters call the Clean Waterways Act. The legislation changes how the state regulates everything from septic tanks to city wastewater systems and city and county stormwater management. But many environmental organizations say the regulatory changes lack muscle.
“Donna’s Law sexual assault bill headed to DeSantis’ desk” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — The Legislature sent Donna’s Law to DeSantis‘ desk, a bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual assault against minor victims, on Wednesday after unanimously passing it from both chambers. Senators passed the House’s version of the law (HB 199), co-sponsored by Rep. Tracie Davis and Rep. Scott Plakon, after the House passed it Monday. Sen. Linda Stewart carried it through the Senate. The bill is named after Donna Hedrick, who was sexually abused by her music teacher and finally went public with her story after more than 40 years. Currently, a patchwork of statutes of limitations apply to victims under 18 depending on their age, how soon they reported the abuse and other reporting requirements.
Donna Hedrick of the eponymous ‘Donna’s Law.’
“Senate reverses course, moves to ban arrests of children under 7” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel — An amendment prohibiting the arrest of children under 7 for nonviolent felonies was added to HB 7065, a bill that makes changes to the school safety measures passed in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Sen. Bracy pushed the provision in honor of Kaia Rolle, who was arrested at the Lucious and Emma Nixon Academy charter school in September after she threw a tantrum, kicking students and teachers. “The police were called, she was handcuffed, and she was booked. She received a mug shot; she was fingerprinted,” Bracy said. The measure includes an exemption so children who commit forcible felonies could still be arrested.
“Senate passes genetic information bill” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — A bill that would block insurance companies from using or soliciting genetic information from customers cleared the Senate Wednesday. The bill from Speaker-designate Chris Sprowls, who made the issue a priority this year, passed the House with just one nay vote. The bill would make Florida the first and the only state to bar insurance companies from using genetic tests for coverage purposes. “What we want to prevent is [genetic] information being used to your detriment,” Sen. AaronBean argued last year when he carried a similar bill. Though the legislation passed, it was not without debate. Democratic Sen. Kevin Rader thought people with knowledge of “genetic markers” might game insurance companies by withholding that information.
“House approves measure aiming to beef up state response to Alzheimer’s” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The bipartisan measure (HB 835) passed in the House via a 118-0 vote. Republican Rep. Plakon and Democratic Rep. Matt Willhite sponsored the bill. The legislation creates a new position of “Dementia Director” within the Department of Elderly Affairs. That director will coordinate state policies relating to Alzheimer’s disease. He or she will also reach out to the private sector, working with facilities to increase public awareness and education. The director will also help coordinate activities “between groups interested in dementia research, programs, and services, including, but not limited to, area agencies on aging, service providers, advocacy groups, legal services, emergency personnel, law enforcement, and state colleges and universities.”
“Boom! Fireworks bill goes to Governor” via The Associated Press — Florida is on the verge of ending firework sales that are done with a wink and a nod under a bill the Legislature passed on Wednesday. One of Florida’s least enforced laws bans fireworks sales unless people are buying them to scare birds away from farms and fisheries. Customers sign a form saying that’s how they intend to use fireworks. Businesses from fireworks megastores to stands that pop up ahead of holidays don’t ask any questions. The bill going to Gov. DeSantis would make fireworks legal for use on the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Lawmakers have said the current law makes no sense and forces Floridians to lie to buy fireworks.
“Ride-share advertising bill rolls through Senate” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — On Wednesday, the Senate moved a bill that would establish guidelines for advertising on Uber and Lyft vehicles. Rep. BobRommel‘s bill (HB 1039) would allow illuminated and digitally operated advertisements on top of vehicles. The House bill, already passed, moved in place of Sen. Jeff Brandes’ bill (SB 1352). The chamber did not debate the legislation, and Brandes waived his close, leaving a shortage of quotable quotes. Signs can range from 20 inches to 54 inches, with the condition that they don’t block the driver’s line of sight. The signs can only be turned on while vehicles are in-service. Nonprofits and charitable organizations would have to be ceded 10% of the advertising space.
“Tow truck bill in the ditch” via the News Service of Florida — In an unusual move, the Florida Senate voted down a bill that would restrict the authority of local governments to regulate vehicle towing businesses. Senators voted 20-18 to reject the bill (HB 133), which passed the House last month. Few bills are killed in votes on the House and Senate floors. Three Republican Senators — Brandes, George Gainer and Joe Gruters — joined Democrats in voting against the bill. Much of the criticism of the bill focused on a provision that would have prevented local governments from requiring towing businesses to accept credit cards from motorists whose cars are towed. Hours after the vote, Gruters made a procedural motion that would allow the Senate to take up the bill again.
“Wengay Newton public nuisance property bill teed up for final Senate vote” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Newton’s bill (HB 625) relating to public nuisance properties cleared the House and is awaiting final approval in the Senate. The bill defines the process for remedying properties and expands the definition activities that create a public nuisance by harboring criminal activity or that creates some other public problem. It also extends authority to local Sheriffs to enjoin a nuisance complaint. Properties declared a public nuisance would face a temporary injunction on the property or public forfeiture if the offending problems are not remedied within 10 days of notification or by a prescribed period allotted in certain situations.
Wengay Newton is tackling public nuisance houses.
“Bear poaching ban passes Senate, ready for Governor’s signoff” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics — Sen. Tom Wright and Rep. David Smith‘s legislation cracking down on bear poaching cleared the Senate floor. It’s now ready for the Governor after a unanimous vote. The legislation would increase the severity of criminal charges associated with bear poaching to a first-degree misdemeanor. The minimum fine would increase from $500 to $750 and increase hunting license suspensions for violators from one year to three years. That suspension would extend to 47 other states. The law “will put bears on an equal footing, equal hoof,” Wright previously said of the bill, noting that other poaching laws have been more stringent than bear poaching.
“Senate amendment seeks to strike House THC cap” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics — House members approved a Rep. Ray Rodrigues amendment to HB 713 that would resuscitate a 10% cap on whole flower and derivatives for patients under 21. However, a Senate amendment from cannabis proponent Sen. Brandes would strike that out. In addition to the “potency cap” for minors, the language would prohibit renewing licenses of nonperforming Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, refine statutory language on dosage limits per day and require that a testing lab be independent of cannabis companies, testing all forms of marijuana. The Brandes amendment targets nonperforming MMTCs but strikes the rest. The Senate already killed one backdoor THC cap try.
“Hemp program overhaul still needs work as House sends bill back to Senate” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — After a 107-10 vote, the bill will be sent back to the Senate where more negotiations are expected regarding the bill’s final form. The Senate approved the measure (SB 1876) in a unanimous vote. Sen. Bill Montford is behind that bill. But the House twice amended the Senate bill after taking it up. One of those amendments was approved during the second reading. Another was agreed to ahead of the final vote. The amendment struck a provision from the Senate bill stating that licensees “may only use hemp seeds and cultivars certified by a certifying agency or a university conducting an industrial hemp pilot project” under state law. Wednesday’s version rephrased that section.
Today in Capitol
The Senate will hold a floor session, 10 a.m., Senate Chambers.
The House will hold a floor session, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers.
The Senate Special Order Calendar Group will meet 15 minutes after the floor session adjourns Room 401, Senate Office Building.
The Florida Supreme Court will release its weekly opinions, 11 a.m.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Hemp Advisory Committee is hosting a conference call, 4 p.m. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 304566261.
TallyMadness
TallyMadness has come down to Rutledge Ecenia’s Corinne Mixon and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants lobbyist Justin Thames.
The next 24 hours of voting will determine which of the two gets to call themselves the “best” lobbyist in the state.
Mixon’s run began with a tight match against Katie Flury, followed by a pair of routs. The Final Four pitted her against Becker & Poliakoff’s Nick Matthews, who had earned no less than two-thirds support in any of his matchups heading into the semifinals.
The final round of TallyMadness 2020 is upon us.
Mixon was the combo breaker, shutting down his as-yet-unstoppable offense to keep her championship dreams alive.
Thames had a solid streak going when he entered the semifinals, notching at least 60% of the vote in each of his head-to-heads. The same was true for Florida School Boards Association lobbyist BillieAnne Gay, who dominated the opposition in later rounds.
Alas, there are no ties in Florida Politics’ annual competition, and one had to be eliminated. Two high-scoring contenders entered the match, and a surge from Thames put him over the top.
All that remains is the final game.
Voting is open through 11:59 p.m. Thursday. The winner will be immortalized as the 2020 TallyMadness Champion in Friday’s Sunburn.
Govs. Club buffet menu
Florida corn, sausage and potato chowda; mixed garden salad with dressings; Mediterranean tabbouleh; tropical fruit salad; deli board, lettuce, tomatoes, cheeses and bread; breast of chicken with hunter’s sauce; southern-fried catfish with tartar and cocktail sauces; Chicago-style hot Italian beef with giardiniera; cheddar cheese grits; spring medley of vegetables; summer squash casserole; warm peach cobbler for dessert.
News by the numbers
Sunshine State primary
Voters are voting — According to the Florida Division of Elections, as of Wednesday afternoon, Supervisors of Elections have 1,152,413 and Republican vote-by-mail ballots; 616,528 have returned, 411,433 are outstanding, and 3,251 are unsent. There have been 121,201 early in-person votes cast. As for Democrats, Supervisors have 1,354,853 vote-by-mail ballots; 528,433 have returned 617,160 are outstanding, and 5,064 are unsent. There have been 204,196 early in-person votes cast. Those classified as “other,” 248,441 vote-by-mail ballots, 15,669 have returned, 33,105 are outstanding, and 198,076 are unsent. There have been 1,561 early in-person votes cast.
“Nikki Fried, Florida’s top Democrat, endorses Joe Biden” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times — Fried, the top elected Democrat in Florida, is endorsing Biden in the Democratic primary. “Joe is bringing together a diverse coalition that reflects America’s greatness,” Fried, the state’s Agriculture Commissioner, said in a statement Wednesday. “And Joe’s record of selfless service is exactly what we need to restore America’s moral compass, heart, and leadership at home and abroad. I’m excited and proud to stand with him today.” Biden has won the support of most of Florida’s top Democrats heading into the state’s presidential primary on Tuesday, but Fried may be the most significant endorsement of them all. She is the de facto leader of her party as the only Democrat to hold a statewide office here.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is all-in for Joe Biden.
“Polls: Biden leads Sanders with Florida Hispanics, narrows Latino gap in Arizona” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO — In Arizona, Sanders leads Biden, 47% to 40% among Latinos likely to vote in next week’s Democratic primary, according to the survey conducted for Noticiero Telemundo Arizona by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy. In Florida, Biden is ahead of Sanders among Hispanic Democrats, 48% to 37% — a lead outside the 4-percentage point margin of error in the survey conducted for Telemundo Station Group by Mason-Dixon. The mixed results in the two swing states, which are both holding primaries March 17, underscore the challenging terrain Sanders faces in a one-on-one race with Biden and as he encounters more moderate voters, according to exit and entrance polls. Florida Hispanics have more varied backgrounds.
“Biden coming to Florida — by video” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — The former Vice President’s campaign announced his planned appearance at a Miami rally Monday is being canceled. Tuesday night, the campaign canceled his appearance at a Tampa rally that was set to take place Thursday. Both cancellations are the result of growing concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. The COVID-19 disease is leading Biden to possibly roll out a radical new approach. The Miami event has not been canceled, exactly. His campaign said it was being converted into a “virtual event,” though it was not clear whether the campaign still expects a crowd to gather somewhere to watch. The campaign said details would be forthcoming.
“Coronavirus fears shut down Florida voting sites at assisted-living facilities” via Allison Ross of the Tampa Bay Times — Eight assisted-living facilities had been slated to be polling places for Tuesday’s presidential preference primary election. But with concerns about voters and poll workers coming into those facilities, the Pinellas supervisor of elections will move those precincts to the next-closest polling location. There are about 12,000 eligible voters at those precincts, spokesman Dustin Chase said. He said his office is discussing accommodations to make sure residents of those assisted-living facilities can still vote. He also said logistics are still being figured out, including how to communicate changes to voters. State law allows elections officials to make temporary changes of polling places in the event of an emergency.
More 2020
“Who are the Sanders supporters Biden needs to win over to unify the Democratic Party?” via Amber Phillips of The Washington Post — Even as major portions of the Democratic Party coalesce around Biden, the wounds from 2016 are still obvious each time there’s a primary or caucus: It’s supporters of Sen. Sanders vs. the establishment. If a bona fide member of the party establishment wins the presidential nomination, how is that going to exacerbate the Democratic Party’s divisions? We can’t answer that question yet — Biden hasn’t won the nomination, although he continues to do what he needs to, especially by winning Michigan on Tuesday, a state critical to Democrats’ path to unseating Trump in November. We can look at the constituencies Biden has struggled with to understand the tensions he will face if he’s the nominee.
Joe Biden needs to appeal to Bernie Sanders’ supporters.
“Biden surge brings sense of relief to K Street” via Theodoric Meyer of POLITICO — When Sanders won the Nevada caucuses by a commanding margin last month, a Washington lobbying firm sent out a memo to clients girding them for what a Sanders administration might look like. Less than three weeks later, the same firm is preparing clients for a much less worrying prospect: the likelihood that Biden, a more conventional Washington candidate, will win the Democratic nomination. Biden’s comeback has comforted lobbyists and their corporate clients. Scott Eckart, a Democratic lobbyist, said he’d spoken with clients in the days before Biden’s South Carolina victory who expressed reluctance to write checks supporting the party if Sanders became the nominee. “There’s an immense amount of relief,” Eckart said. “Make no mistake.”
It shouldn’t be this way
A new YouGov/Economist poll finds 61% of Democrats said they were ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ worried about personally contracting the coronavirus, while only 37% of Republicans shared this fear. Indeed 24% of Republicans said they were ‘not worried at all’ about catching the virus.
Democrats are taking more preventive measures, too. Some 23% of Democrats have canceled travel plans, compared with just 14% of Republicans. The share of survey respondents who said they had worked from home was 19% and 9% for Democrats and Republicans, respectively. Moreover, 9% of Democrats have donned a medical face mask in public; only 5% of Republicans have done the same.
Coronavirus
“Trump fears emergency declaration would contradict coronavirus message” via Anita Kumar of POLITICO — The president is expected to sign within days what the White House calls a more limited designation to allow the federal government to cover small business loans, paychecks for hourly workers and delay tax bills, giving him a way to begin boosting the economy without waiting for Congress to sign off on an economic stimulus package. Any emergency declaration would go significantly beyond that move, bringing in the Federal Emergency Management Agency and freeing up funding and resources for states struggling to contain the rapidly spreading virus. Trump’s concern at this point is that going further could hamper his narrative that the coronavirus is similar to the seasonal flu and could further agitate Wall Street.
An emergency declaration is at odds with the White House’s messaging on coronavirus. Image via AP.
“’It’s going to get worse’: health officials warn of coronavirus escalation” via Quint Forgey and Nolan McCaskill of POLITICO — More than 1,000 people in the U.S. have already been diagnosed with the coronavirus in 38 states, leaving at least 29 people dead. But Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told members of the House Oversight Committee that “we will see more cases, and things will get worse.” “You’re going to hear from CDC today and the White House that we’re going to be making recommendations to those local communities about aggressive steps that we think they should be taking, and we’ve been collaborating closely with them on that,” Alex Azar told “Fox & Friends.”
“U.S. coronavirus testing threatened by shortage of critical lab materials” via David Lim and Breanna Ehley of POLITICO — The slow pace of coronavirus testing has created a significant gap in the U.S. public health response. The latest problem involves an inability to prepare samples for testing, creating uncertainties in how long it will take to get results. CDC Director Robert Redfield is not confident that U.S. labs have an adequate stock of the supplies used to extract genetic material from any virus in a patient’s sample — a critical step in coronavirus testing. “The availability of those reagents is obviously being looked at,” he said, referring to the chemicals used for preparing samples. “As people begin to operationalize the test, they realize there’s other things they need to do the test.”
“Quarantined in China, Tampa nurse alarmed by U.S. coronavirus response” via Justine Griffin of the Tampa Bay Times — Jonathan Woolverton had never seen Shanghai, a city of more than 24 million people, so empty. The 33-year-old registered nurse was quarantined in an apartment for two weeks while he waited for the Chinese government to return his U.S. passport so he could get home. Over the next few weeks, he would be flagged for coronavirus exposure across three continents and experience wildly different responses to the pandemic. “The experience opened my eyes to the reality of how immensely different this crisis has been handled,” Woolverton said. “It has been a profound learning experience to see how well China put protocols in place.” “The farther west I went, the less and less concerned people seemed to be,” he said.
“Dow enters bear market after coronavirus declared pandemic” via Tyler Telford and Thomas Heath of The Washington Post — Wall Street went into a deep slump Wednesday, falling so far and so fast that the Dow Jones Industrial Average officially tipped into a bear market, ending a record 11-year stock rally. The bear market reflects a 20 percent fall from record highs, which the Dow hit less than a month ago, and came after the coronavirus officially became a pandemic. The World Health Organization’s declaration Wednesday signaled that health experts believe efforts should shift from trying to contain the virus to mitigation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average — already deep in the red for the day — tumbled almost 1,500 points after the WHO announcement. It closed at 23,553, a nearly 6 percent decline on the day.
“Rick Scott calls for temporarily shutting down U.S. borders to tourism, quarantining returning Americans due to coronavirus” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — Scott is proposing temporarily shutting down all U.S. borders to tourism in an op-ed he penned for Fox News. Scott is also calling for health screenings and 14-day quarantines for all Americans returning from overseas. Scott also calls for immediately opening mobile testing sites nationwide to isolate the at-risk population; closing all schools for 14 days in areas where the virus is being transmitted from person-to-person and not via foreign travel; limiting visits to all hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and senior centers and screening employees; and shutting down government buildings to visitors. Scott also said the Centers for Disease Control should release locations an infected person visited before returning home, including airports, flights and trains.
Rick Scott is calling to close the U.S. borders to control the spread of coronavirus.
“As Florida coronavirus cases leap 64%, restrictions ordered on nursing home visitors” via Jeff Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat — Within hours of the World Health Organization declaring a global pandemic related to the COVID-19 disease, DeSantis announced restrictions on who can visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other places for vulnerable, elderly Floridians. The restrictions apply to anyone who has traveled internationally, on a cruise ship, or in a community with confirmed community spread or lives in a community with confirmed community spread for 14 days. Also barred from visiting are anyone infected with the novel coronavirus who hasn’t had two negative tests separated by 24 hours, anyone showing signs or symptoms of respiratory infection, or been in close contact with an infected person who hasn’t tested negative.
“Pasco man, 46, says he’s county’s first coronavirus patient” via Jack Evans of the Tampa Bay Times — Gene DellaSala said the man who visited his home on Feb. 29 didn’t look sick. DellaSala runs Audioholics.com, an audiovisual industry publication. His visitor had just come from a trade show in Tampa and wanted to check out some new speakers DellaSala had acquired. The two sat next to each other and listened. It was an unremarkable visit until stomach cramps and diarrhea hit DellaSala a few days later. Then he woke up exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept. After a hospital visit, DellaSala was diagnosed, becoming the first coronavirus patient in Pasco County. And though the Florida Department of Health said that the lone Pasco County case was “travel-related,” DellaSala said he hasn’t traveled recently.
More corona
“Leaked emails: Norwegian pressures sales team to lie about coronavirus” via Alexi Cardona of the Miami New Times — In the wake of the epidemic, a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) employee in South Florida says some managers have asked sales staff to lie to customers about COVID-19 to protect bookings. “These discussions take place every day. And even during our department meetings, managers tell us that it isn’t a big deal, that more people die from other things,” says the employee. “[They’re] constantly underestimating it.” Emails show that a senior sales manager at NCL’s Miami office came up with canned responses for the sales team to use. “Team,” the email reads in part, “these are one liner’s [sic] to help you close your guests that are on the fence. DO NOT USE THESE unless the coronavirus is brought up.”
“NCAA: March Madness will be played without fans because of coronavirus outbreak” via Matt Baker and Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times — When the NCAA Tournament comes to Amalie Arena next week, it will take place without most fans. The NCAA announced that it would hold upcoming events, including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only “essential personnel and limited family attendance.” It’s not specified who qualifies as “essential personnel.” “While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sport, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement. “This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans, and, most importantly, our student-athletes.
Imagine the NCAA tournament played in an empty arena. Image via AP.
“As Disney seeks to reassure investors, one analyst firm predicts U.S. theme parks will need to close amid coronavirus pandemic” via Gabrielle Russon of the Orlando Sentinel — As Bob Iger took the stage at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, he immediately sought to reassure investors over the coronavirus just days after a notable analyst report said many investors expect the company will be forced to close its U.S. theme parks. “We’re all sobered by the concern that we feel for everyone affected by this global crisis,” Iger, now the new Executive Chairman, said. “But it’s also important to note that throughout our company’s nearly century-long history, Disney has been through a lot, including wars, economic downturns and natural disasters. And what we’ve demonstrated repeatedly over the years, is that we are incredibly resilient. Our future has always been bright, and it remains so for good reason.”
“Virgin Voyages is delaying the launch of its new cruise line amid coronavirus fears” via Taylor Dolvin and Jane Wooldridge of the Miami Herald — A spokesperson at Virgin Voyages, the new Plantation-based cruise company from Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, has confirmed that the company is delaying the launch of the new line. The naming ceremony for its first ship, the adults-only Scarlett Lady, was set for March 19. “In light of the current global headlines, we want to ensure everyone feels it is the right time to celebrate with us. While Virgin Voyages has not been affected, we feel that postponing our launch celebration to a future date is the responsible thing to do,” wrote Michelle Estevam, senior manager for PR and lifestyle media, via an email.
“What coronavirus fears are doing to people with anxiety disorders” via Bonnie Berkowitz of The Washington Post — The stress of a new thing to worry about can exacerbate the symptoms of PTSD or trigger more frequent panic attacks in people who are prone to them. And it can be especially rough for the approximately 5 percent of adults annually who have an illness anxiety disorder, formerly known as hypochondria, and are already predisposed to fear disease. “When people suffer with anxiety, it’s because they’re believing and focusing on the lies, distortions and exaggerations in their imagination,” said Ken Goodman, a therapist who treats anxiety disorders in California and a board member at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Some mental health experts think coronavirus fears may cause people with anxious tendencies to topple into a full-blown illness.
D.C. matters
“Trump administration to delay April 15 tax deadline for most individuals” via Kate Davidson, Richard Rubin and Andrew Restuccia of The Wall Street Journal — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the delay would apply “to virtually all Americans, other than the superrich,” and said officials would likely announce a decision quickly. Mnuchin told lawmakers during a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee that the Treasury doesn’t need Congress to approve the delay. “This we can do on an administrative basis,” he said. Extending the tax filing deadline would effectively act as a bridge loan for individuals and businesses facing disruptions from the virus.
“Trump administration wants hundreds of thousands of federal workers to be ready to telework full time” via Lisa Rein of The Washington Post — The Office of Personnel Management, which oversees policy for the workforce of 2.1 million, has urged agency heads in recent days to “immediately review” their telework policies, sign paperwork with employees laying out their duties, issue laptops and grant access to computer networks. The administration has not issued a widespread mandate, but some offices have already acted. The Securities and Exchange Commission became the first federal agency in Washington to clear 2,400 employees from its headquarters after discovering that an employee might be infected. The International Trade Administration started sending staff home to self-quarantine if they have traveled out of the country.
Coronavirus is compelling many companies, and the federal government, to push remote working. Image via AP.
“Trump allies got coronavirus tests despite lack of symptoms and shortage” via Mike DeBonis and Carolyn Johnson of The Washington Post — Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mark Meadows both said in statements that the tests showed no infection after exposure to a coronavirus carrier at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference last month in suburban Washington. The two lawmakers also said they were exhibiting no symptoms of respiratory illness, raising questions of why they were tested at all. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that health care providers prioritize tests for hospitalized patients who are exhibiting coronavirus symptoms, elderly and medically fragile individuals, along with others who have shown signs of illness after contact with a known or suspected coronavirus patient. Gaetz, 37, and Meadows, 60, are not known to belong to any groups at high risk for infection.
“Charlie Crist calls for paid sick leave for some missed work stemming from coronavirus outbreak” via Mark Bergin of Florida Politics — U.S. Rep. Crist sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer suggesting additional provisions to bolster the upcoming coronavirus response package. The letter asks for the package to include paid sick leave for tipped employees of at least $15 per hour, energy bill assistance for workers who have to stay home, and emergency funds to make it easier for states to expand Medicaid. “I have heard from both public health officials and constituents that the government response should reflect the realities on the ground. This package reflects those needs,” Crist said in a news release. “Today, I am suggesting additional measures to further strengthen the bill.”
“Gridiron Dinner, an annual D.C. tradition, canceled over coronavirus concerns” via Caitlin Oprysko of POLITICO — “I’m sorry to have to announce that the Gridiron Club & Foundation is canceling its 135th-anniversary dinner this coming Saturday,” the group’s president, Craig Gilbert, said in an email to club members. while no one had asked that the dinner be canceled, those discussions began in recent days in light of a rapidly shifting public health landscape and questions and concerns raised by club members. “We’ve had the dinner in wartime, we’ve had it amid civil strife, we’ve had it amid all kinds of upheaval and turmoil,” he said. “But this was a different case because it just raised health issues, you know, issues of public health. And we didn’t want to put people at risk.”
“Florida could be back in the running to host Space Command headquarters” via Chabeli Carrazana of the Orlando Sentinel — Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett told the House Armed Services Committee of the decision to open applications, seeming to invalidate a shortlist released last year delineating the six locations — four in Colorado, one in California and one in Alabama — that were finalists to host the headquarters. The recently formed command would coordinate space-related military activities across branches of service. Florida, like other locations across the country, had prepared an aggressive campaign to snag the headquarters, despite Colorado’s position as the clear front-runner. The current Air Force Space Command is based in Colorado Springs. “We have the workforce, we have the infrastructure, we have the history of space launches and space exploration,” said Rep. Michael Waltz.
Statewide
“Court: Florida shooting defendant can’t shield expert names” via The Associated Press — A ruling from the Florida Supreme Court means school shooting defendant Nikolas Cruz cannot shield from public disclosure the names of expert witnesses who have interviewed him in jail. The court declined to review an earlier decision by the 4th District Court of Appeal that the names of mental health providers who met with Cruz in jail must be public. Cruz’s lawyers had argued that disclosure of the identities would threaten his right to a fair trial. Broward County prosecutors and news outlets opposed shielding the names under state public records laws. “The constitution and the public records act do not authorize redacting the names of the experts visiting petitioner in jail,” the appeals court ruled.
“Court backs state in fight over transgender inmate” via Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida — Overturning a Tallahassee federal judge’s decision, a split appeals court ruled that Florida corrections officials did not violate constitutional equal-protection rights when they refused to allow a transgender inmate to dress and groom like a woman. A majority of the three-judge panel found that corrections officials “chose a meaningful course of treatment” to address Reiyn Keohane’s gender dysphoria. “For better or worse, prisoners aren’t constitutionally entitled to their preferred treatment plan or to medical care that is great, ‘or even very good,’ ” Judge Kevin Newsom, citing another court decision, wrote in Wednesday’s 40-page majority opinion. In a scathing 51-page dissent, Judge Charles Wilson acknowledged that prison administrators are allowed to make judgments balancing security and health concerns.
An appeals court ruled against transgender inmate Reiyn Keohane. Image via AP.
Mother Nature
“Nestle water pumping plan not in public interest, foes say” via Cindy Swirko of the Gainesville Sun — An application to pump more water from the Ginnie Springs area is now tied up in court, but a crowd still showed up at the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board meeting to speak out against a pumping permit. Speakers said approval to allow up to 1.152 million gallons a day to be pumped to the Nestle Waters bottling plant would harm the Santa Fe River system, reduce water for public use and is not in the public interest. Seven Springs Water Co., owned by members of the Wray family that owns Ginnie Springs Park, has applied for the permit for water bottled by a nearby Nestle plant. A previous permit expired, but pumping can continue under district policies.
The trail
“Scandal-prone Joel Greenberg for Congress? Stephanie Murphy should hope so” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — A while back, Greenberg shared a Facebook post that suggested he could unseat U.S. Rep. Murphy, a Winter Park Democrat. And last weekend, several readers said they were polled on the subject. On Wednesday, Greenberg denied having any interest in running against Murphy. (Which makes it odd that someone wasted money on a poll full of questions that praised Greenberg, criticized Murphy and asked: “If the General Election for Florida’s 7th Congressional District was held today, who would you vote for? Stephanie Murphy? Joel Greenberg? Undecided.”) Though Greenberg said the race against Murphy was “entirely winnable,” he said he wasn’t “willing to spend millions of dollars to fund a congressional race.”
Scandal-prone Joel Greenberg is taking on Stephanie Murphy. Murphy should be glad.
“Laura Loomer cancels petition drive citing coronavirus concerns, will pay ballot fee instead” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — “While voter engagement is a passion for me and our campaign volunteers, following the White House and CDC’s recommendations I felt it best to limit the community’s exposure to the coronavirus in every way that I could,” Loomer wrote in a statement. Karen Giorno, a consultant to Loomer’s campaign, also added a statement explaining the move. “Our volunteers and staff are healthy, and we plan to stay that way. Our tactics are changing out of necessity and will not slow down the growth and enthusiasm of winning this campaign.” Loomer is attempting to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel.
“Jim Boyd expands fundraising lead in race for SD 21” via Florida Politics — Republican Boyd is dramatically outpacing Democrat Amanda Linton when it comes to campaign contributions in the race. Boyd has raised a total of $245,125 through February. In that month alone, Boyd had $39,350 contributed to his campaign. It was his second-best month since he entered the race last summer. Boyd scored the most contributions in one month during October when he landed $107,900. Boyd has plenty of financial ammunition as his campaign has spent only about $58,000 leaving around $186,500 in the bank. Linton lags way behind; The Bradenton educator been in the race since July and has managed to raise only about $18,000 for her campaign. Of that, she spent about $12,000.
“Adam Botana, Jason Maughan neck-and-neck in HD 76 fundraising” via Florida Politics — Botana and Maughan are running relatively close to each other in terms of contributions. However, Botana is outpacing his opposition in terms of straight campaign contributions. Botana has about a $15,000 lead in the money race through February. Botana, a businessman from Bonita Springs, had a total of about $149,000 in contributions through last month. But Botana has been frugal with his campaign funding thus far, only spending about $16,500. That leaves about $132,182 in reserve. Maughan, a Sanibel City Councilman, has been equally tight with his cash so far. While he has raised about $134,000 in contributions through February, he’s only spent about $17,000 on campaign expenditures. Republican Rep. Ray Rodrigues is vacating the seat due to term limits.
“Jenna Persons crosses $300K raised in race for HD 78” via Florida Politics — Persons has garnered about $194,000 in campaign contributions through February. She drew about $14,000 in contributions last month alone, her best fundraising month since June. Persons still has plenty of cash on hand as she’s only spent about $28,000 on expenditures so far, leaving some $166,000 yet to be utilized. Bolstering Persons’ financial power is her political committee, “Conservative Legacy Fund.” The committee had a total of $117,000 in total contributions through February and spent only about $8,800. Republican Roger Lolly has raised about $44,600 through February. Lolly has already spent about half his contributions, racking up about $22,000 in expenditures.
“Rhonda Rebman Lopez crosses $200K raised, tops HD 120 fundraising for sixth straight month” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Republican candidate Rebman Lopez has now added more than $200,000 in her bid to replace Rep. Holly Raschein in House District 120. Lopez topped the HD 120 field in fundraising for the sixth straight month, adding more than $18,000 in February. The newest entrant in the race, Democratic candidate Clint Barras, managed to place second with more than $12,000 added. So far, Lopez has held pole position in monthly fundraising every month since she joined the race in September.
Local
“Florida officials wanted town to stay quiet on possible COVID-19 case. Town went ahead.” via Aaron Leibowitz of the Miami Herald — On Wednesday morning at 10:58, the head of human resources for the small town of Bay Harbor Islands sent an email to all staff and elected officials that began: “The Town is aware one of our employees is under medical attention as a presumptive positive case of the coronavirus.” Also, the town’s Mayor signed a memo on official town letterhead declaring a state of emergency. But that was wrong. According to Florida health officials, no Bay Harbor Islands employee has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. According to Division of Emergency Management director Jared Moskowitz, Florida officials asked Bay Harbor officials not to release any information until more was known.
“If coronavirus hits a cruise ship from Miami, county ready to quarantine passengers” via Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald — “We’re with the cruise lines in the good times,” Mayor Giménez said during an emergency meeting of the County Commission on the coronavirus threat. “And we’re going to be with them in the bad times.” Gimenez said cruise CEOs asked him for advance permission to dock if a Miami-based ship has crew or passengers with suspected or confirmed coronavirus diagnosis. Port director Juan Kuryla said the port is finalizing plans that would allow it to convert an existing warehouse into a medical facility with room for 200 people. He said Miami-Dade is working with a company tapped by cruise lines to operate “a processing facility to disembark those passengers that need some kind of isolation or treatment.”
“Miami-Dade Mayor plans to declare state of emergency over coronavirus threat” via Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald — Mayor Giménez said he is declaring a state of emergency over the novel coronavirus, days after a similar statewide edict from DeSantis. The World Health Organization said it was officially declaring the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Gimenez announced while in Washington, D.C., on a visit to the White House with cruise executives to meet with Treasury Secretary Mnuchin on the industry’s response to the coronavirus. “When I fly back, I will be declaring a state of emergency in Miami-Dade,” Gimenez said. “Because there are additional powers that I think are necessary. … We can then take more preemptive steps to limit the spread of this COVID-19 in Miami-Dade.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez is ready to declare an emergency for COVID-19.
“Miami-Dade Commissioner complains he’s ‘tired’ of hearing about coronavirus” via Jerry Iannelli of the Miami New Times — “I’m glad we’re not at this point even considering canceling any events,” Joe Martinez said from the dais. He joked that his own county commission meeting ought to be canceled too. “Because if not, let’s cancel this one. Let’s cancel the Legislature. Let’s cancel Congress.” The Commissioner’s comments came after the City of Miami canceled the famous Calle Ocho Festival, and organizers nixed the popular events Ultra Music Festival and Winter Music Conference. “I don’t know if even Al-Qaeda was able to do what fear of this virus is able to do,” he said. Martinez recommended the county “keep things in perspective.”
“Clearwater robocall sounds like it’s from Scientology. Republicans did it.” via Tracey McManus of the Tampa Bay Times — In a robocall sent to voters, the person on the line sounded like a Church of Scientology member talking to fellow parishioners. She urged them to vote for Kathleen Beckman, a candidate for Seat 3 on the City Council. “Beckman stands with Scientologists, and we must stand with her,” the woman declared. The call, however, was the work of Republican operatives, a bit of political misdirection just days before a landmark city election on March 17. A group of parishioners indeed endorsed Beckman, but she suspects the call was designed to turn voters against her by linking her to the controversial church. She called it dishonest.
Kathleen Beckman was the target of some dirty tricks in Clearwater.
“Tampa Bay transit authority consultant reveals findings after studying hyperloop, gondola systems” via Veronica Brezina-Smith of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — After studying those future technologies, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority’s consultant WSP USA Inc. planner Christina Kopp presented an update to the TBARTA board. The state has allocated $1 million for the Innovative Transit Technology Feasibility Study. The technologies were offered as solutions to combat Tampa’s congested roads with more transit options and ways to connect travelers over waterways. The firm conducted interviews with technology manufacturers/developers, such as Virgin Hyperloop One and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies. Gondola companies included Doppelmayr and Leitner-Poma; the sky taxi companies interviewed were Lilium, which TBARTA members have talked with, and Uber.
“Hernando commissioners rezone lots for Blaise Ingoglia’s homebuilding company” via Barbara Behrendt of the Tampa Bay Times — Hernando County commissioners endured nearly four hours of criticism from Spring Hill residents who argued that the board’s decision to sell planned parklands as home sites was at least underhanded or at worst corrupt. Hartland Homes, which bought the lots, is the homebuilding company owned by Ingoglia. The five commissioners are all Republican. Months ago, the commission marked as surplus six county parcels totaling 40 acres. But the county never marketed the lots in a way that attracted the attention of Spring Hill residents who live near the lots. For years, they have used the small green spaces as play areas for their children, walking trails and scenic locations to walk their dogs.
“Here’s how nearly $1 million in donations after Pulse shooting was spent” via Kate Santich of the Orlando Sentinel — A report by the philanthropic Central Florida Foundation details the impact of the Better Together Fund — created alongside the better-known OneOrlando Fund that paid $30.8 million in donations directly to survivors of the 2016 mass shooting and the families of the 49 people killed. Better Together fueled critical support programs — including nearly $200,000 for mental health counseling for survivors and more than $45,000 to train counselors on how to deal with trauma and shooting victims. Perhaps the fund’s most lasting impact, though, will be the $100,000 awarded to the fledgling One Orlando Alliance — a coalition formed after the shooting to unite the region’s varied LGBTQ nonprofits so they could work toward common goals.
Top opinion
“David Hart: Don’t increase taxes on select few — vehicle leasing, rental car industry is major economic driver in Florida” via Florida Politics — While there are several proposals debated in the Legislature that one could easily describe as a tax cut or a tax break. The proposal they are debating is actually fixing a bad tax policy that was a result of an oversight — an oversight that has led to an increase of millions of dollars in annual taxes on a single industry. To explain, at the federal level, the tax paid on vehicle lease and rental assets remains the same as it did before the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, federal reforms changed the federal theory of taxation, but the state did not address this change in methodology in 2018 or 2019.
Opinions
“Trump campaign lawsuits are just a political ploy” via Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat — The President has recently abused the legal system by having his campaign committee file frivolous libel suits against The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN. None of these petitions looks likely to survive a motion to dismiss, but they weren’t filed with any legal purpose in mind. Trump, who said during his 2016 campaign he’d like to “open up” libel laws and make it easier to cripple major media, has enough lawyers around him to know he has no case. His suits are meant to impress his MAGA-hatted followers, the fans who jeer journalists at his rallies when he rails against “fake news.” Reinforcing the image of Trump as a hounded, wounded victim is a tactical campaign ploy.
“It’s ‘Gov. DeSantis,’ not ‘Dr. DeSantis,’ right? Don’t dispute coronavirus experts” via the Editorial Board of the Miami Herald — We mean no disrespect, but when the world-renown guru of infectious diseases, who’s also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and who opened our eyes to the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s says that there has been community spread of the coronavirus in Florida, whom should we believe — Dr. Anthony Fauci, said guru, or DeSantis, who says, Nope, there’s no community spread of the virus in the state? In fact, the DeSantis administration has gone into a Trump-like denial of the coronavirus’ spread, surprising and disappointing for a governor who has been fairly transparent about the disease. Why not confirm it first, Governor? This knee-jerk, nothing-to-see-here response is dangerous.
“Rick Scott’s moment” via Neal Freeman of The National Review — You know Florida’s senior Senator, Marco Rubio, as a man of innate mediagenic qualities and polished rhetorical skills. You may not know his junior colleague, Scott, who was born without those qualities. Scott’s no show horse. He’s a man of real accomplishments, two of them salient to the current crisis. Scott proved himself to be a crisis manager of surpassing skill. He gathered information quickly, cut through professional jargon, communicated unambiguously. (Scott does nouns and verbs. He leaves the adjectives and adverbs to Rubio.) Scott is the man to lead America’s response to the coronavirus attack. Most politicians shrink in a crisis. Scott comes up large and in charge. Would he accept the job?
“Controlling attorney fees a good first step in legal reform” via Julio Fuentes for the Orlando Sentinel — Florida’s legal climate costs the average family $4,442 a year in lawsuit abuse “taxes,” according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and a new study released by the National Federation of Independent Business in Florida estimates that excessive tort costs to the Florida economy result in $10 billion in annual direct costs. Florida families and our elected officials cannot afford to turn a blind eye to such staggering numbers. There is a lot of work to be done to create a more fair and balanced judicial system, and lawmakers should not head home until they pass common-sense legal reform efforts. House Bill 7071, which addresses the use of contingency fee multipliers, is a great place to start.
Movements
“Personnel note:LSN Partners promotes Nicole Gomezto Director of Client Relations” via Florida Politics — Full-service consulting firm LSN Partners announced it is promoting Gomez to Director of Client Relations. She had previously worked as the firm’s Associate Director of Client Relations. LSN said the bump comes after a demonstrated positive impact on client services since Gomez joined the firm in 2018. Gomez’s expertise has benefited the firm’s work on a wide array of state and local matters, and she’s played a vital role in building client relationships nationwide. “Nicole has been an integral part of the growth of our local and national business, and she continues to exceed all expectations,” LSN Co-Managing Partner and Founder Alexander Heckler said. Before joining LSN, Gomez served as the Chief of Staff to the Mayor and Commission for the City of North Miami Beach and led the Division of Public Affairs and Community Engagement. She also served as Deputy Director of Scott’s 2014 gubernatorial reelection campaign.
Congratulations to Nicole Gomez, the new Director of Client Relations for LSN Partners.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Alex Alamo, Becker & Poliakoff: City of Miami
Joanna Bonfanti, Ronald Brise, Julie Fess, Gunster Yoakley & Stewart: The Haskell Company, Scientific Games Corporation
Marc Dunbar, Peter Dunbar, Larry Williams, Dean Mead: Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Foyt Ralston, Foyt Ralston & Associates: Friends of the Ortega River
Jeff Sharkey, Capitol Alliance Group: United States Polo Association
Instagram of the day
Aloe
“MLB prefers teams flip sites if virus shuts parks” via Ronald Blum of The Associated Press — If Major League Baseball can’t play in front of fans at a team’s home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport’s first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team’s stadium if possible. MLB starts its season on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus, with 24 deaths. MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out.
If MLB can’t play in front of fans at a team’s home ballpark because of the COVID-19, the first preference would be to switch games to the visiting team’s stadium. Image via AP.
“NFL teams propose 7 rules changes, including extra officials” via The Associated Press — Two NFL teams have suggested changes to game officiating, including a “sky judge” utilized by colleges, among seven rules proposals that will be presented to team owners later this month. Also proposed is revamping overtime to minimize the coin toss impact and returning OT to its original 15-minute length, and providing alternatives to the onside kick — which is considered a dangerous play — for a scoring team to attempt to keep the ball. The Ravens and Chargers are seeking what they call a booth umpire as an eighth game official, as well as adding a senior technology adviser to the referee to assist the officiating.
“Uber may suspend accounts of riders, drivers who test positive for coronavirus” via Reuters — The company, which has already taken action in some affected markets, said it had a team working round-the-clock to support public health authorities in their response to the epidemic. The team is the same group in charge of handling communication with global law enforcement. Uber said its agents were only evaluating accounts if contacted by health officials about someone confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to the virus. Uber laid out the company’s detailed policy on the outbreak for all riders and drivers on its website, outlining the steps the company has taken to manage the situation.
Happy birthday
Best wishes to my friend (yeah, I’m gonna get him in trouble that way) Frank Mayernick, one of the best dads and fathers from which I have the benefit of learning. Also celebrating today are former Sen. Alan Hays, Steve Bousquet, the still brilliant Brian Franklin, Abby MacIver, Sarah Revell, and Jeff Ryan.
“President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed sweeping restrictions to prevent people from 26 European countries from traveling to the United States for a month… The travel order does not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and does not apply to American citizens.” Reuters
The left is critical of the Trump administration’s response to the crisis to date.
“Trump has served up an irresponsible and dangerous buffet of misinformation about the threat posed by the coronavirus… Trump assured Americans at that February 26 news conference that the number of people infected in the United States is ‘going very substantially down, not up.’… [but] The CDC had made it clear to expect more, not fewer cases, an estimation that has proven accurate…
“Trump was also rightly criticized earlier this week when he tried to undermine the World Health Organization’s recent announcement that the mortality rate for the coronavirus was no longer just over 2%, but had risen based on new data to 3.4%. In a phone call on Fox News’s ‘Hannity’ show, Trump bluntly stated that ‘the 3.4% is really a false number.’ What was the basis for Trump disputing the health care experts at WHO? Trump commented, ‘this is just my hunch.’” Dean Obeidallah, CNN
“As the coronavirus threat was just starting to come into focus in early February, the White House recommended significant cuts to investments at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. To be sure, this president had called for deep cuts to the CDC budget before, and Congress ignored those requests. But calling for CDC cuts in the midst of a global viral outbreak seemed especially bizarre. Stranger still, the White House apparently hasn’t changed its mind.” Steve Benen, MaddowBlog
“The unforgivable shortage of tests—and the hoops doctors have to jump through before they can get patients tested—has created a situation where no one knows how many people are actually infected. Medical professionals have complained in frustration that CDC guidance is almost useless…
“We now know that health officials at the CDC wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans avoid flying on commercial airlines. The White House ordered that the air travel recommendation be removed, endangering the very people the virus is likely to affect most severely. CDC officials couldn’t explain why they refused to use the World Health Organization’s coronavirus test and instead tried to develop one that failed… It is bad for Americans when the vice president and the HHS secretary, both charged with communicating the government’s plans to the public, can’t even agree with each other.” Lili Loofbourow, Slate
“Agencies like the C.D.C. offer rudimentary advice on what symptoms to watch for and how to wash hands effectively, and say not to touch one’s face. But most guidance stops there and fails to give unambiguous advice on when and how to limit gatherings, cancel big events, postpone travel and how, precisely, people should prepare for potential quarantines or hunkering down.… there’s not just an absence of information but also an absence of authority.” Charlie Warzel, New York Times
Regarding the travel ban and Trump’s speech on Wednesday, critics point out that “The ban will exclude the United Kingdom, despite the fact the country has more than 450 cases of coronavirus, far more than many of the European nations that will be barred under the ban. (The president has also not banned travel from South Korea, which has so far had a much higher rate of coronavirus cases than any European country outside of Italy.)…
“While the president focused on efforts to keep more people from bringing the coronavirus to the U.S. from abroad, he largely ignored any discussion of efforts to contain the Covid-19 cases that are already rapidly spreading throughout the country. Trump pushed common-sense measures that individuals and groups can take, like social distancing and practicing good hygiene. But he declined to mention any efforts that would address key issues facing the U.S. as the virus spreads, like increasing coronavirus testing or taking action to combat the looming possibility that there may be more Americans who require hospitalization than hospitals can actually handle.” Alison Durkee, Vanity Fair
“We’re already seeing ‘community spreading’ of the virus — that is, people with no international travel and no links to known cases are now getting the virus… [The ban] was an extraordinary move, but one that may do little to stop or mitigate the spread of coronavirus — while potentially damaging the US’s already somewhat strained relationship with its European allies.” Jen Kirby, Vox
“Public health officials recommend that people exposed to the coronavirus remain in isolation for 14 days. Even companies that provide sick leave are rarely that generous. Accordingly, the proposed legislation would also require up to 14 days of paid sick leave during public health emergencies. One flaw in the proposal is that it would require employers to foot the bill, even as many companies are facing a drop in revenue. The government should absorb the cost of the emergency sick leave provisions by giving companies a tax credit.” Editorial Board, New York Times
From the Right
The right is supportive of the Trump administration’s recent moves and calls for action to help the economy.
“Make no mistake: These are extreme steps. But they are also serious and necessary steps… This strategy makes it clear that Trump is taking the pandemic seriously, and it’s about time. For the past few weeks, he has downplayed its risks in an attempt to bolster markets and public confidence. But now, Trump seems to understand that a temporary economic hit should not be the federal government’s primary concern and that the health and well-being of its citizens are much more important. Trump’s leadership will continue to be tested over the next few weeks as his administration rolls out this plan. But this is a step in the right direction. Let’s hope there are more to follow.” Kaylee McGhee, Washington Examiner“When President Trump sees a political threat, his instinct is to deny, double down and hit back. That has often been politically effective, but in the case of the novel coronavirus it has undermined his ability to lead…
“Disasters and crises can make or break presidencies—not from the event itself but from how the public judges a President’s response. In the last week the Administration’s performance has improved, and his speech to the nation Wednesday night was at least a step toward more realism. But the pandemic continues to build and he still understated the scope of the health risk. Travel bans are less important than mitigation efforts at home with thousands of likely cases already here… Mr. Trump did seem to recognize that the threat to public health is a chance to rise above narrow partisanship and speak for the whole country. His main opponent for re-election now isn’t Joe Biden. It’s the coronavirus.” Editorial Board, Wall Street Journal
“One of the big reasons many people didn’t like the bailouts of 2008 was the sense of ‘moral hazard.’ Banks and Wall Street had made reckless decisions by offering mortgages to people who were extremely unlikely to be able to keep making payments, made complicated financial instruments based upon those mortgages, pumped up a housing bubble, and when it burst, asked the taxpayers to save them from the consequences of their own bad decisions…
“But there’s no moral hazard at work in this situation. The airlines, hotels, resorts, tourist attractions, and cruise lines didn’t behave recklessly or foolishly. They operated their businesses, safely and professionally, and then this horrific virus came out of China. You might argue that these companies should have planned for downturns or slow periods, but… how many companies have a contingency plan in place for ‘what happens if all of Italy shuts down’?… There seems to be this idea that airlines, hotels, resorts, tourist attractions, and cruise lines don’t deserve assistance from taxpayers because they’re proportionally used by rich people. But who do you think works for those companies and industries?… Tourism and hospitality industries combined are the fifth-largest employer in the country, around 15 million Americans.” Jim Geraghty, National Review
“The availability of hospital beds in 38 states is limited by arcane laws called ‘certificate of need.’ Rather than allowing a hospital to be built, adding beds to an existing hospital, or offering some types of new technologies, many states require that these additions be approved by a board of existing competitors with every incentive to restrict new competition from opening or expanding. Imagine if an Aldi or Whole Foods wanted to build a grocery store or begin offering some new products in your community, but Publix and Kroger were in charge of deciding if the new store’s plans would be approved…
“State lawmakers have both the authority and the duty to put patients first. They should do so by bringing urgent legislation to immediately remove certificate of need laws, allowing healthcare providers to fully examine how they may expand to meet new demands. Lawmakers shouldn’t wait until there is a public health emergency to respond. They must act now.” Lindsay Killen and Naomi Lopez, Washington Examiner
Finally, many argue that “for years, China has enticed American multinational corporations with access to its markets in exchange for off-shoring and sharing intellectual property. Americans watched as Beijing captured critical portions of global supply chains, including in pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment. Today, up to 80 percent of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in American drugs are sourced abroad…
“Now, in the face of a pandemic, the absence of domestic capacity in critical medical sectors has critically endangered both the U.S. public health system and our economy. The inability to quickly increase the production of key supplies, such as surgical masks, medical gowns, respirators and pharmaceutical drugs limits our ability to mitigate the worst effects of the disease in this emerging crisis and in any future pandemic… America must make rebuilding our domestic supply chain a priority.” Marco Rubio and Newt Gingrich, Fox News
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Today’s Smart Brevity™ count: 1,190 words … 4½ minutes.
1 big thing: Coronavirus pandemic and panic
A disinfection worker sprays antiseptic solution aboard a firetruck in Manila, Philippines. Photo: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
A subdued President Trump speaks from the Oval Office, the NBA suspends its season, collegiate officials announce March Madness will be played without fans, Tom Hanks is diagnosed and a global body declares a “pandemic.”
Why it matters: Within just a few hours yesterday, the coronavirus went from ominous background noise to the dominant national conversation and concern, with every school and workplace in America scrambling to respond.
Older people, and those who love them, have an urgent new worry.
Young people are bracing for weeks, if not months, of home-schooling.
The economy, which has spoiled us for years, suddenly is in peril from all the businesses being disrupted, and the ripple effects through our daily lives.
Your quick catch-up:
The NBA suspended its season “until further notice” after the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert tested positive. (ESPN)
Tom Hanks confirmed via Instagram that he and his wife, Rita Wilson, had both tested positive for the virus.
From Savannah to Scranton, St. Patrick’s Day parades have been postponed across the country, including New York City’s massive gathering.
Italy shut down all commercial activities, except grocery stores and pharmacies, in a bid to stop the spread. (BBC)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that up to 70% of the country’s population could ultimately be infected. (CNBC)
Congress’ in-house doctortold Capitol Hill staffers at a closed-door meeting that he expects 70 to 150 million people in the U.S. — roughly a third of the country — to contract the virus.
A bear market set in for the Dow Jones, as the index plunged 20% from its record high in February.
The bottom line: We’re living through a once-in-a-lifetime crisis that has suddenly injected alarm and uncertainty into American life, commerce, culture and politics.
CNBC headlinenow: “DOW SET FOR ANOTHER 1,000+ POINT DROP.”
Reality check: We have no clue how bad this will be, how long it will last and how much damage will be done.
But every organization in America is preparing for months of life at home. Even if this is all a national overreaction, it’s become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as each closing begets another.
The NCAA made the unprecedented decision yesterday to prohibit spectators from attending all of its upcoming championships, including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, due to the coronavirus outbreak, writes Axios’ Kendall Baker.
Why it matters: March Madness, a cultural phenomenon and one of the biggest sporting events in America, will be played without the madness of the crowd.
What to watch: Now that the NBA has suspended play, the NCAA will face increased pressure to do the same — and will likely have no choice if and when a player tests positive.
The bottom line: Earlier this week, there was a belief that the coronavirus might have a positive impact on March Madness because overall interest and TV ratings would go up with so many Americans working from home or self-quarantining.
It’s time to start preparing for at least a few weeks — maybe months — of fan-less sports — or, perhaps, no sports at all.
🏀Sign up for Kendall Baker’s daily newsletter, Axios Sports.
3. Brace for coronavirus supply shocks
Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
Products from major Americancompanies, including Apple, GM, Coca-Cola and even Facebook, may soon become unavailable, as the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak backs up and shuts down global supply chains.
Why it matters: Consumers should brace themselves for products — often unexpected ones — to go missing in the coming weeks and months, Axios’ Dion Rabouin, Joann Muller, Bob Herman and Courtenay Brown report.
By the numbers: A survey released Wednesday by data provider ISM shows the outbreak has caused supply chain disruptions for nearly three-quarters of U.S. companies.
Many are already pricing in revenue losses this year as a result.
The big picture: “As East Asia starts to recover, the focus turns to Europe and then to North America,” Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at tax and consulting firm RSM, tells Axios.
He expects a cascade of shocks to continue, “with the worst impact for businesses to come in April and May.”
Chinese supply chains may be lumbering back, but there will likely be rolling auto parts shortages in other regions of the world, mirroring the spread of the virus, throughout 2020.
The next risk will likely come from Korea, where most of the world’s memory chips are made.
Other potential shortages could include components imported from Italy: Brembo brakes, Pirelli tires, FiatChrysler engines and transmissions.
Shipping and delivery could become a new operational chokepoint, especially if more regions end up in lockdowns like Italy’s.
In an interview with Jonathan Swan for “Axios on HBO,” Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez flatly denied that he was considering canceling July’s Democratic convention in Milwaukee and replacing it with an online convention due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We’d have to change the rules,” he replied. “We’re not contemplating rule changes.”
Between the lines: Such a move would require the DNC — which has suffered major problems with technology and information security — to oversee a secure and seamless digital convention with the pressure of American citizens and America’s foreign adversaries bearing down on them.
With more human activity being pushed online, inequality in connectivity — usually invisible — suddenly could become a major problem, Axios’ Margaret Harding McGill writes.
Why it matters: The coronavirus crisis is offering vivid case studies of real-world, everyday differences between those who can afford high-speed internet, and those who cannot.
By the numbers: The FCC estimates 21 million Americans lack access to high-speed broadband, though that number could be higher due to problems with data collection.
The gapis largest in rural areas and on tribal lands: More than 26% of residents in rural areas and 32% on tribal lands lack access.
A worker from a disaster recovery team peers out of the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash. Photo: Ted S. Warren/AP
U.S. hospitals are preparing for millions of potential hospitalizations and dusting off pandemic preparedness plans in anticipation of supply shortages and overcrowded waiting rooms, Axios’ Marisa Fernandez writes.
What they’re doing: Hospitals and clinicians are exploring ways to delay the influx by pushing in-home care, and possibly limiting elective surgeries.
EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, Wash., has been rationing supplies like goggles and overworking staff across all departments while caring for nearly 70 patients, the N.Y. Times reports.
Massachusetts General Hospital doctors are pushing for pop-up clinics and more testing, the WashPost reports.
Johns Hopkins University is looking to turn entire medical units into a respiratory isolation unit for patients.
What’s next: Doctors overseas are stressing how ill-prepared hospitals are if they reach capacity, as has happened in Italy, per the Times.
Harvey Weinstein is flanked by his defense attorneys during his sentencing in a Manhattan courtroom yesterday. Courtroom sketch: Elizabeth Williams via AP
Harvey Weinstein, 67,was sentenced to 23 years in prison yesterday for sex crimes “as the six women who had testified against him watched from the courtroom’s front row, holding one another, some in tears,” reports the N.Y. Times’ Jan Ransom.
Why it matters: The women who spoke up against him allowed others “around the world to speak about mistreatment at the hands of powerful men, shifting the cultural landscape with the #MeToo movement.”
“The long sentence meant that Mr. Weinstein, who is … in poor health, could very well spend the rest of his life in prison.”
10. 1 news thing: Covering a crisis
Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
Newsrooms are creating contingency plans to make sure that they can adequately inform the public about coronavirus while keeping their own employees safe, Axios’ Sara Fischer writes.
Why it matters: Some news products — including newspapers, magazines, video and events — require in-person manpower to produce. With work-from-home policies in place, products and editorial procedures are changing.
Media companies are going all-in on coronavirus coverage, launching dozens of pop-up podcasts, newsletters and special reports.
But much of that coverage has shifted to accommodate journalists working from home.
The bottom line: “We’ve faced challenges and crisis before over the 168-year history of the Times from war to natural disaster to disease,” a New York Times spokesperson emailed.
“Our coverage of the coronavirus outbreak is a daily demonstration of our unwavering commitment to keeping the public informed.”
The president said his European travel restrictions will not include the United Kingdom and will include exceptions for Americans who have received “appropriate screenings.” The announcement came on the same day the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.
CORONAVIRUS ● By Katie Zezima, Tim Craig, William Wan and Felicia Sonmez ● Read more »
The exchange between the president and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, described by two officials familiar with it, reveals Trump’s mounting fury as his administration struggles to manage economic fallout from the coronavirus.
By Robert Costa, Josh Dawsey, Jeff Stein and Ashley Parker ● Read more »
The early layoffs, while small, are an indication of how the novel coronavirus is triggering a rapid turnaround in the economy, which only weeks ago looked strong, with unemployment at a half-century low.
By Abha Bhattarai, Heather Long and Rachel Siegel ● Read more »
Ramping up testing capacity, quickly isolating sick or suspected patients, and introducing policies that limit public gatherings or require working from home have proved effective in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.
By Emily Rauhala, William Wan and Gerry Shih ● Read more »
Even as it continues to battle for delegates with Sen. Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden’s campaign is working to reboot itself amid concerns within the Democratic Party that the operation is ill-equipped to match President Trump’s reelection effort.
ELECTION 2020 ● By Matt Viser and Michael Scherer ● Read more »
Sen. Bernie Sanders conceded that he is losing the delegate battle to Joe Biden but declined to end his presidential bid and said he is looking forward to Sunday’s debate.
The former Army intelligence analyst who leaked hundreds of thousands of documents to WikiLeaks was hospitalized days before a hearing on her civil confinement for refusing to testify to a grand jury investigating the anti-secrecy website.
The acting Drug Enforcement Administration chief said that since the operation began Sept. 1, authorities had arrested more than 700 people and seized over 20,000 kilograms of drugs along with $22 million in cash and other assets.
American citizens should “reconsider travel abroad” in light of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. officials urged as President Trump escalated his administration’s response to the outbreak.
A key ally of President Trump offered a clue about when U.S. Attorney John Durham could complete his inquiry into the origins of the Russia investigation.
Joe Biden has been widely described as a “moderate” by media covering the 2020 Democratic race, but this is a misnomer. The image is totally built on the fact that Biden has been running within a party whose left flank has been defined by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. In reality, Biden is proposing a sweeping domestic policy agenda which, if adopted, would make him one of the most liberal presidents in American history.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is expected to withhold her endorsement for the remaining presidential candidates during the Democratic Party’s nominating process.
A federal judge leveled harsh accusations toward Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, saying his legal decisions have promoted “economic inequality,” “undermined democracy,” and “increased the political power of corporations and wealthy individuals.”
President Trump has called off his upcoming travels to Colorado and Nevada “out of an abundance of caution from the coronavirus outbreak,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Wednesday.
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Good morning, Chicago. Here’s the coronavirus news and other stories you need to know to start your day. You can follow developments throughout Chicago and Illinois all day Thursday here.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that the state is evaluating new federal guidance on limiting large public gatherings as cases of the new coronavirus in the state continued to mount.
“We are looking closely at this new guidance as well as doing our own state-level analysis, led by (the Department of Public Health) and (the Illinois Emergency Management Agency), of how COVID-19 has been mitigated across the globe,” Pritzker said on Wednesday. “We’re committed to taking every precaution, while ensuring the least amount of disruption to people’s lives.”
Becoming the first Illinois colleges to drastically alter campus operations, the University of Illinois System, Northwestern University and Illinois State University all announced that classes will be moved to online formats for several weeks in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus, now deemed a global pandemic.
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced Wednesday to 23 years in prison after breaking his courtroom silence with a rambling plea for mercy in which he professed to be “totally confused” by the #MeToo movement that spelled the Hollywood producer’s downfall.
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President Trump, seeking to slow the spread of the coronavirus and help millions of at-risk Americans, suspended most travel to the United States from Europe beginning on Friday, backed federal help for those who are quarantined and said small businesses will get billions of dollars in federally backed loans to help them ride out the economic downturn.
In a somber, 10-minute address to the nation from the Oval Office, the president shed much of his recent finger-pointing and stubborn skepticism about the severity of COVID-19 and rallied Americans to heed warnings from physicians and public health experts and to work together.
“Smart action today will prevent the spread of the virus tomorrow,” Trump said. “This is just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome as a nation and as a world.”
The president — conceding the country faces a prolonged period of extraordinary aversions to crowds, indoor living, teleworking and forfeiture of travel, entertainment and sports — outlined actions aimed at blocking the escalating spread of the respiratory virus and assisting Americans and businesses harmed medically and economically.
Using his executive authority, Trump said he ordered a 30-day freeze on travel by foreigners from Europe to the United States beginning midnight on Friday, with the exception of travelers from the United Kingdom (The Hill). Italy is the epicenter of the crisis in Europe and cases of COVID-19 have been reported everywhere in the EU. But Trump also added a rhetorical flourish about halting cargo and shipments from Europe, which he was forced to correct on Twitter soon after his televised remarks. By then, however, international financial markets had already reacted negatively.
Politico: Trump’s new travel ban sidesteps his own European resorts.
The State Department on Wednesday issued a Global Level 3 health advisory urging all U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad because of the virus.
Trump said he will “soon” take emergency action to help workers who are forced to remain home because of illness, quarantine or to help others during the coronavirus crisis and urged Congress to do the same. While he did not specify what type of “relief” he has in mind, he appeared to support paid sick leave, which is expected to come to a vote in the House this week.
The president added that recommendations and guidance about school closures and other restrictions and warnings to affected communities will be forthcoming from the administration.
Trump said the Small Business Administration, which says it has $18 billion to lend, will provide capital to businesses in affected states and territories to ride out the battering the virus is causing. He asked Congress to appropriate an additional $50 billion for SBA’s lending program.
Trump said he would order tax deferrals for “certain individuals” and industry sectors to inject $200 billion into the economy. The president also reiterated his support for a payroll tax holiday, a proposal that has not won broad support on Capitol Hill this week.
Trump’s tone about the dire medical consequences faced by America’s elderly, infirm and medically challenged signaled to the public, including in the rest of the world, that the contagion is likely to worsen and remain a frightening experience for many.
Earlier in the day, the administration’s leading expert in coronaviruses and public health crises told lawmakers that America is in the early days of an emergency for which there are no known cures.
“I can say we will see more cases, and things will get worse than they are right now,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday. Facing questions from lawmakers, the immunologist explained, “It is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu” (The Hill).
While Fauci was speaking, the virus became a new reality in the Capitol Hill office of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), whose aide tested positive for the virus, went into isolation and forced the closure this week and cleaning of the senator’s office. The senator’s staff said Cantwell and other lawmakers had no direct contact with the aide but staff members are being tested. Washington state is experiencing an outbreak of the deadly pathogen, resulting in 30 deaths (The Hill).
In the United States, the virus has killed 38 people among 1,312 known cases of infection, as of this morning. The actual tally of who has contracted the virus is likely much higher, but without widespread testing, data is limited.
The Hill: Hospitals are bracing for an onslaught of COVID-19 patients and worry about shortages of masks and other protective gear for their employees.
“Unfortunately, at present, public health experts anticipate shortages in the supply of personal respiratory devices available for use by healthcare workers in mitigating further transmission,” Trump said on Wednesday, ordering Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to “take all appropriate and necessary steps” to increase emergency availability (McClatchy News).
surfaces for up to three days and lives airborne for hours.
The Hill: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been faulted for a slow response to the U.S. coronavirus outbreaks, specifically mistakes in constructing strict protocols for who initially received testing, flawed test kits distributed by CDC and muddled messaging from top officials. Public health experts insist the United States lost valuable time because of limited testing of sick patients, which allowed COVID-19 to spread for weeks in the country without intervention.
The New York Times podcast The Daily, also explored CDC’s decisions and explains some of the research innovations that briefly filled a testing void in Washington state.
Reuters: The White House ordered federal health officials to treat top-level coronavirus meetings as classified, an unusual step that is hampering the U.S. response to the contagion, according to four Trump administration officials.
The New York Times: An 11-year bull market in the United States came to a screeching halt because of a microscopic pathogen that emerged from China in December.
> CORONAVIRUS & CONGRESS: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released an economic assistance package late on Wednesday estimated to cost in the billions of dollars, with a vote expected today (The Wall Street Journal).
The Democrats’ measure includes “free coronavirus testing, paid emergency leave for workers, food security assistance, help to states overburdened by Medicaid costs, and strengthened unemployment insurance,” Pelosi said.
Democrats’ especially want to approve paid sick pay to help Americans who are self-quarantining or missing work because of the coronavirus (The Hill).
Pelosi’s goal is to pass a more narrowly drawn measure before lawmakers leave town for a previously scheduled weeklong recess, and revisit potential stimulus measures later on, according to The Associated Press.
“We don’t think they should just throw money out of an airplane and hope some of it lands on the people who are affected,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who proposed additional measures including cash infusions for small businesses and student loan forbearance.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters that the time needed to clear legislation through the House and Senate means a bill probably won’t reach Trump’s desk before both chambers return to Washington the week of March 22.
The Hill: House Democrats’ measure to help Americans cope with the coronavirus pandemic is poised for a vote this week. What’s not in the measure? Tax cuts.
> CORONAVIRUS & INTERNATIONAL: On Wednesday, the World Health Organization officially declared a coronavirus pandemic, a designation that identifies the global spread of COVID-19 and adds urgency to aggressive, intense calls in every country for preparedness and action (The Hill).
The Associated Press: What does “pandemic” mean and what does the designation do?
Italy continues to be crushed by the virus, unable to halt the spread and agonized by the country’s dramatically rising death toll. Close to 200 people died from COVID-19 infections over 24 hours, officials reported on Wednesday. It’s the highest daily increase in mortality in absolute terms registered anywhere in the world since the respiratory illness emerged in China at the end of last year. Italy’s total deaths from the virus this morning number 827 and confirmed cases of infection have exploded by the day. The available tally is 12,462 in Italy.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday announced an allocation of 25 billion euros, or $28.3 billion, to prop up the Italian economy. Just a week ago, the government thought it would need less than a third of that fiscal lifeline (NBC News).
On Monday, Italy imposed new restrictions on its entire population of 60 million people. The government on Wednesday ordered all stores, with the exception of pharmacies and food markets, to close in a draconian effort to limit transmission of the infection. Coffee bars, cafes and restaurants must close, although restaurants can make home deliveries. Conte urged Italians not to hoard food. There are no new restrictions on gas stations or public transportation (The Associated Press).
The stats: As of this morning, COVID-19 is blamed for 4,641 deaths worldwide and at least 126,431 confirmed cases in at least 116 countries, according to the latest information.
> AMERICAN LIFE: Public health officials across the country continued to advise cities against holding mass-gathering events in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 from escalating even further.
The administration on Wednesday night recommended a 30-day quarantine period for the residents of New Rochelle, N.Y. who have been exposed to the virus and are being helped by the National Guard while restricting their movements.
Headlining those announcements on Wednesday were San Francisco and Washington D.C. San Francisco Mayor London Breed issued a city directive on Wednesday, canceling all public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. The directive goes into effect today and will continue for at least two weeks (San Francisco Chronicle).
In the nation’s capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency across the district and revealed that six more individuals have tested positive for the virus. Bowser’s announcement came hours after city public health officials echoed Breed and called for the cancellation of all mass gatherings for the remainder of the month. Over the next 20 days, the Capital One Arena is slated to host seven home games for the hometown Capitals, along with two concerts.
“We have person-to-person transmission occurring in the District of Columbia as well as at least two individuals whose reasons for covid-19 have yet to be identified,” said D.C. Health director LaQuandra Nesbitt.
On Capitol Hill, the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms are expected to announce that tours of the Capitol will be canceled for the remainder of March (The Hill). The news came after top lawmakers recommended suspending the visitor access for the time being. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said continuation would put the “health and safety of these tourists at risk” (The Hill).
The tours also presented a potential issue as a large number of lawmakers are in the age range where they could be seriously sickened by the virus. Nearly half of all senators and one-third of all House members are 65 or older. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the oldest member of the Senate, made that case on Wednesday.
“I’m just now coming to the conclusion that I think this place ought to be shut down,” Feinstein said. “It’s serious and it’s increasing.”
Across the country, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades are falling victim to the coronavirus. Fearing transmission at mass public events, parades in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia have been canceled (The Hill).
In the world of travel, Amtrak is expected to experience revenue losses in the “several hundred million dollars” as cancellations are up 300 percent and riders have decided against booking travel in the near future due to the virus. In order to reduce spending, Amtrak is looking to cut services and have workers take “voluntary unpaid leave” (The Washington Post).
The Hollywood Reporter: Tom Hanks says he and Rita Wilson, who are in Australia making a movie, tested positive for coronavirus.
> CORONAVIRUS & SPORTS: The NBA announced late Wednesday night that it is suspending the season until further notice after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday.
“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use the hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic,” the league said.
The announcement came after Wednesday’s game between Utah and the Oklahoma City Thunder was delayed and eventually postponed. Gobert was not in the arena for the game, according to the NBA. Five other games took place on the night.
The Golden State Warriors had announced initial plans early on Wednesday to play today versus the Brooklyn Nets in an empty Chase Center after San Francisco’s decision to ban mass gatherings.
Earlier in the day, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) made the unprecedented decision to play the annual men’s and women’s basketball tournaments without fans in empty arenas due to COVID-19.
NCAA President Mark Emmert announced that the decision was made “in the best interest of public health,” and will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks. Selection Sunday for the men’s tournament, better known as “March Madness,” is set for this weekend.
“The decision was based on a combination of the information provided by national and state officials, by the advisory team that we put together of medical experts from across the country, and looking at what was going to be in the best interest of our student-athletes, of course,” Emmert told The Associated Press. “But also the public health implications of all of this. We recognize our tournaments bring people from all around the country together. They’re not just regional events. They’re big national events. It’s a very, very hard decision for all the obvious reasons.”
The Associated Press: Big events banned, NCAA tells fans to stay home over virus.
NASCAR announced that while it will still hold its Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway as scheduled this weekend, it is making changes to pre-race events. Headlining those changes are that driver meetings will now take place in open-air locales with select personnel rather than in garages. Drivers are also being encouraged to carry their own sharpie markers to sign autographs, with those signings taking place in open-air spots (Yahoo!).
Across the Atlantic, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for COVID-19, the Italian soccer giant announced on Wednesday night.
“Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him,” the club said in a statement.
IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES
POLITICS: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) maintained on Wednesday that he will remain in the race for the Democratic nomination despite struggling heavily in Tuesday’s elections, winning only one of the six contests and falling further behind in the delegate count to former Vice President Joe Biden.
Sanders told reporters in Burlington, Vt., that he intends to carry on and debate Biden on Sunday in Phoenix in what could be his final attempt to make gains in the field. However, the Vermont Independent seemed to admit that his path to the requisite 1,991 delegates is too steep for him to climb after his losses since the South Carolina primary (The Hill).
“I strongly disagree with that assertion but that’s what millions of Democrats and independents are saying,” Sanders said.
Sanders also toned down the rhetoric during the appearance, declining to attack Biden on myriad issues as he has in the past week, especially on Social Security. Instead, as Jonathan Easley writes, he pointed to a series of policy questions he hopes the former VP answers at the debate, including on health care, immigration, income inequality and criminal justice reform.
The Washington Post: Biden turns his focus from Sanders to Trump — and rebooting his own campaign.
Another problem Sanders is incurring is COVID-19 as it continues to grip the country. He has no rallies or events scheduled as of Thursday morning after Tuesday night’s rally in Cleveland got canceled at the behest of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), making it difficult for him to reach his supporters as he usually does. Sanders and Biden will compete in four more primaries on Tuesday: Florida, Ohio, Illinois and Arizona.
Biden announced on Wednesday that his campaign will hold “virtual” events in the coming days in Florida and Illinois because of the virus. The former vice president also rolled out a “Public Health Advisory Committee” to provide guidance on how to reduce the threat of the disease (The Hill).
One thing Sanders should not expect: an endorsement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren following her exit from the race last week. According to The New York Times, the Massachusetts Democrat is not expected to endorse either Sanders or Biden, and is likely to “let the primary play out rather than seek to change its course,” according to several sources familiar with Warren’s thinking.
The Washington Post: Sanders doesn’t drop out — but it’s not full speed ahead, either.
The Hill: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) says Sanders should continue primary fight.
The Hill: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) urges Biden to pick a black woman as running mate: “African American women need to be rewarded” for loyalty.
The Wall Street Journal: Bernie Sanders faces tough contests ahead, including the Florida primary.
Biden now has a route to the Oval Office — if he navigates the challenges, by Albert Hunt, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/3aLhfhm
12 Steps to Tackle the Coronavirus, by Nicholos Kristof, columnist, The New York Times. https://nyti.ms/38FWPoF
WHERE AND WHEN
The House meets at 9 a.m.
The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. and continues its consideration of the nomination of James Danly to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and will hold a vote to invoke cloture.
The president welcomes Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland to the White House for meetings that are expected to include a discussion of Ireland’s undocumented immigrants in the United States (The Journal). Trump and first lady Melania Trump join the traditional presentation of the Shamrock Bowl by the prime minister.
Catch The Hill’s Campaign Report newsletter, with the latest from The Hill’s politics team. Sign up to receive evening updates, polling data and insights about the 2020 elections.
➔ Harvey Weinstein: A New York judge on Wednesday sentenced the former Hollywood producer to 23 years in prison following his conviction on charges of sexual assault and rape. Weinstein, 67, who claimed all his sexual activities with accusers going back decades were consensual, said he was “confused” because he thought the women involved were his friends (Reuters).
“I feel remorse for all of the men who are going through this fight,” he added.
➔ Supreme Court: Justices said Wednesday that the Trump administration can continue its practice of returning asylum-seekers to Mexico along the entire southern border while immigration authorities process their claims. The court said enforcement can go on while the justices decide whether to hear an appeal of lower court rulings that declared the program illegal. Only Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she would have denied the permission. The policy, known as the Migration Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico,” was launched last year. During the 13 months it was fully implemented, the Department of Homeland Security returned more than 60,000 immigrants to Mexico while they awaited an outcome in their deportation proceedings (NBC News).
➔ More in Congress: The House voted on Wednesday to tighten oversight of federal surveillance (The Associated Press). And Attorney General William Barr backed the changes (The Hill). … The House voted on Wednesday to constrain the president’s power to use military action against Iran (The Associated Press). … House Democrats won a round in court to gain access to secret grand jury testimony that was part of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report about the Russia probe (USA Today). … Senate Republicans joined Democratic colleagues in voting 53-42 on Wednesday to reverse an Education Department student loan rule imposed by Secretary Betsy DeVos that senators said hurt borrowers (The Hill).
➔ D.C. Environmental Film Festival: Tonight through March 22 marks the 28th annual celebration and screening of more than 160 films showcasing wildlife, the environment and planet Earth, all in the nation’s capital. Opening the festival at 7 p.m. at the National Geographic will be the lush and award winning “Okavango: River of Dreams,” filmed primarily in Botswana. It’s the creation of famed wildlife documentarians Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
And finally … It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for this week’s Morning Report Quiz! Inspired by the news of the day, we’re eager for some smart guesses about some non-coronavirus news of the past week.
Email your responses to asimendinger@thehill.com and/or aweaver@thehill.com, and please add “Quiz” to subject lines. Winners who submit correct answers will earn newsletter fame on Friday.
In Tuesday night’s primaries in Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi, Bernie Sanders defeated Joe Biden in how many counties across the three states?
0
2
5
10
On Friday, Trump announced that Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) will take over as the new White House chief of staff. Once he starts, how many chiefs of staff will have served the president during his first term?
2
3
4
5
On Tuesday night’s finale of “The Bachelor,” which contestant got engaged to, and subsequently broke up with Peter Weber?
Madison
Hannah Ann
Hannah Brown
Kelley
Twitter announced ____ after a pair of billion-dollar investment deals in the last week?
The number of characters per tweet increased to 400
Jack Dorsey will remain as CEO
A new partnership with TikTok
Users will be able to edit tweets
Which high-profile politico was eliminated on television’s “The Masked Singer” Wednesday night?
The Morning Report is created by journalists Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver. We want to hear from you! Email: asimendinger@thehill.com and aweaver@thehill.com. We invite you to share The Hill’s reporting and newsletters, and encourage others to SUBSCRIBE!
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Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office on Wednesday said a D.C.-based staffer has tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the first known case on Capitol Hill. “The individual has been in isolation since starting to have symptoms,” a release from Cantwell’s office stated. Read More…
The decision to suspend tours of the Capitol followed a chaotic cascade of announcements Wednesday, from the World Health Organization labeling COVID-19 a pandemic to Washington, D.C., declaring a state of emergency and barring large-scale gatherings to a congressman’s decision to share “sustained precautionary protocols.” Read More…
OPINION — The message a leader delivers during a crisis few could anticipate matters deeply to the outcome of the crisis. Trust in a leader is earned in those moments, and surrendered just as easily. The message we’ve gotten so far from this president is clear — we have plenty to fear in the coronavirus crisis, including Donald Trump himself. Read More…
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Tours of the Capitol are being suspended, in the latest response to the coronavirus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been discussing shutting down Capitol tours but as of Wednesday evening was awaiting confirmation from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, according to two House members. Read More…
President Donald Trump used a rare prime-time address from the Oval Office to announce sweeping new restrictions on travel from Europe while calling on Congress to pass economic stimulus legislation, including his prized payroll tax cut. Read More…
Rep. Jim Himes has spent $100,298 from his leadership political action committee on luxury hotels, transportation and event catering on trips to Vail, Colorado, since 2012. Over that span, the Connecticut Democrat spent $46,630 at the Sonnenalp Hotel and $30,246 at the Four Seasons, using money from his Jobs and Innovation Matter PAC. Read More…
Hours after President Trump slammed New York’s sanctuary policies in his State of the Union speech, his administration clamped down on the state over its “Green Light” law, which allows undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses while blocking federal officials from access to the state’s motor vehicle records. Read More…
Here’s what’s on hold as coronavirus spreads: Coachella. Parts of the Cherry Blossom Festival. James Bond vehicle “No Time to Die” and (even worse) “Peter Rabbit 2.” Here’s what’s not: Reading and binge-watching. We checked in on April’s new releases in the politics-adjacent category, and so far, it’s looking pretty good. Read More…
Unhappy with the Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer joined a group of senior senators in proposing a policy prescription for mitigating its economic impact. Read More…
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IT’S IN MOMENTS LIKE THIS — when society is at its weakest and most vulnerable — that Americans look to their government for answers. It’s in moments like this — when social norms, structures, leisure activities and workplace conventions are upended — that we expect unity, and clarity, from our political leaders.
BUT THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM is, at the moment, as shaken to its core as the rest of society. Our institutions have been disrupted. Our elected officials have no certain answers. There are few figures who have the public’s universal trust. And all this leaves the country — and, indeed, the world — with a deepening sense of angst and confusion.
— THE CAPITOL has been compromised. An aide in Sen. MARIA CANTWELL’S (D-Wash.) office has tested positive for the virus. As of this morning, tours have been canceled. But before that, thousands of aides, reporters and lawmakers had been milling around a building teeming with tourists who touch walls, banisters, elevators, counters and windows. Lawmakers — many of whom are of advanced age — spend up to 12 hours each week on airplanes, yet stand within feet of each other in committee hearing rooms, on the House and Senate floor and in hallways. Reporters are often shoulder to shoulder with them, too, sticking our hands in their faces to record their utterances.
— OUR LEADERS can’t say how long this virus will last. President DONALD TRUMP has said that for the vast majority of Americans, “the risk is very, very low.” Experts anticipate that it will get worse, but what does that mean? Does it mean that we should cancel large-scale gatherings for the next few weeks? Few months? Does it mean that we shouldn’t travel? Does it mean we should avoid mass transit? Shared rides? Human contact? The guidance from authorities is changing by the day, and it’s hard for most people to keep up.
— WHOEVER’S FAULT IT IS, AMERICANS are having a tough time getting tested for this very dangerous, quite lethal and very communicable disease. DANIEL GOLDMAN, who just ended a stint as a top aide to Rep. ADAM SCHIFF (D-Calif.), said this: “Let’s be very clear: unless you have pneumonia and traveled to one of 5 high-risk countries recently, you can NOT get a #COVID19 test in New York City. If you, like me, have a fever and a headache (but tested negative for the flu), you are unable to rule out #COVID19. Shameful.”
— THE PRESIDENT went on television Wednesday night to explain his new policy for restricting travelers from overseas, but he didn’t announce any new measures to mitigate the spread of the virus among Americans already living here. The general outlines of the restrictions are: Foreign nationals cannot travel to the U.S. if they’ve been in the EU’s Schengen Area within the last 14 days, companies will have new access to SBA loans, and Americans can defer tax payments without interest or penalties.
BUTTRUMP mistakenly said that cargo from Europe would not be allowed into the U.S., and officials scrambled to clarify what he meant. He didn’t explain why the U.K. was exempted from these strict rules — London Heathrow is the largest European aviation gateway. And he wrongly said that health insurers had “agreed to waive all copayments for coronavirus treatments,” when they had actually agreed only to do so for testing. The president called for a payroll tax holiday, which leading members of both parties have already rejected. Gabby Orr on the address… The text of the president’s executive order… The transcript of his remarks
— CONGRESS, an institution that is, at best, beset by partisanship and, at worst, paralyzed by it, will take a second stab at legislating to help Americans today. THE HOUSE will look to pass a bill that would bolster unemployment benefits, institute paid sick leave, offer free testing and secure free lunch for kids. REPUBLICANS told us they wanted to vote for the bill. Then, after it came out, they sounded cool to it. We have no idea whether it could pass the Republican-controlled Senate or garner TRUMP’s signature. If it doesn’t, that would be a major setback, and would push solutions off for days if not weeks. The White House hasn’t said one way or another what it wants. Read the details, from Sarah Ferris, Heather Caygle and John Bresnahan
— THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS BEEN PULLED on the 2020 presidential campaign. It seems likely that large-scale rallies are over, for the time being. If nothing changes, how will the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee justify conventions in Charlotte and Milwaukee?
— WASHINGTON IS SET TO SHUT DOWN after today. Congress is leaving town. Fly-ins have been canceled. White House events are being put off. A growing number of the area’s workers have been told to telework. Wealthy people are decamping for vacation homes. Schools are preparing for remote learning, if they haven’t started already.
BUT THERE’S A LIKELIHOOD — perhaps a certainty — that the city’s political class will need to snap back into action, and quickly. This pandemic will likely require drastic measures in the coming months.
WE SHOULD NOT COMPARE ANYTHING TO SEPT. 11. But the uncertainty, and the paralysis of our financial markets, our political system and our society is starting to remind many of the atmosphere here 19 years ago.
RESTRICTED: travel from Europe. SUSPENDED: the NBA regular season, White House and Capitol tours. CLOSED: college campuses here in the District and across the country. CANCELED:TRUMP’S trip to Las Vegas and Colorado, as well as a campaign event in Milwaukee.
DOW FUTURES were down more than 1,200 points as of 6 a.m.
— WSJ: “U.S. Travel Restrictions Fuel Fresh Global Selloff,”by Joanne Chiu: “U.S. stock futures and global indexes plunged, adding new turmoil to a roller-coaster week for markets, as a U.S. travel ban stoked renewed worries about the coronavirus’s economic toll.
“S&P 500 futures were down 4%, suggesting U.S. shares could be set for another punishing session later Thursday, a day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid into a bear market. European indexes fell at the start of trading Thursday, with the pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 shedding 5.4% and Italy’s FTSE MIB falling 5.8%.
“Benchmarks in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan and South Korea fell to multiyear lows, crude-oil prices dropped and U.S. government bonds rallied.”
Good Thursday morning.
OUR LEADERS …
— HEATHER CAYGLE and JOHN BRESNAHAN: “Pelosi ignores Trump taunts as she steers through another crisis”: “For any other leader, the rapid turnaround on the recovery plan would be a herculean feat at best. But for Pelosi, successfully negotiating a multi-billion-dollar economic package with a hostile and often antagonistic Trump administration was just another day in the speaker’s suite.
“It’s also a reminder that for all Trump’s omnipresence on Twitter and cable TV, Pelosi remains the dominant figure on Capitol Hill when it comes time to actually getting something accomplished.” POLITICO
— AP’S JONATHAN LEMIRE with an “Analysis” bug: “Facing virus outbreak, Trump’s tactics fall short”: “The escalating coronavirus crisis is presenting President Donald Trump with a challenge for which he appears ill-equipped, his favorite political tactics ineffective and his reelection chances in jeopardy.
“A rare crisis battering the White House that is not of the president’s own making, the spreading coronavirus has panicked global financial markets and alarmed Americans, many of whom have turned to the Oval Office for guidance and reassurances. But what they have found is a president struggling for a solution, unable to settle Wall Street and proving particularly vulnerable to a threat that is out of his control.” AP
— WHITE HOUSE MEMO … NYT’S PETER BAKER: “Presidents Forge Their Legacies in Crises”: “[C]rises are moments when presidents can rise above prior troubles or sink deeper into them, as Mr. Bush discovered. A onetime political colossus with a 90 percent approval rating built on his response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. Bush’s presidency was marred by Katrina, which became a modern metaphor for a mishandled crisis.
“Whether Mr. Trump’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak becomes remembered the same way or not, it is too early to say, and they are very different challenges. But the history of presidents grappling with crises is replete with lessons that sometimes go unlearned and examples that go unheeded.”
— NYT’S MARK LANDLER in London: “A Fumbled Global Response to the Virus in a Leadership Void”: “As the toll of those afflicted by the virus continued to soar and financial markets from Tokyo to New York continued to swoon, world leaders are finally starting to find their voices about the gravity of what is now officially a pandemic.
“Yet it remains less a choir than a cacophony — a dissonant babble of politicians all struggling, in their own way, to cope with the manifold challenges posed by the virus, from its crushing burden on hospitals and health care workers to its economic devastation and rising death toll.
“The choir also lacks a conductor, a role played through most of the post-World War II era by the United States.President Trump has failed to work with other leaders to fashion a common response, preferring to promote his border wall over the scientific advice of his own medical experts.” NYT
— WaPo’s Matt Viser (@mviser): “Joe Biden [today] will be giving an address on the coronavirus at 1 p.m. in Wilmington, Del. Expect it, in many ways, to be different from the address just given from the Oval Office.”
THE DISTRICT, via WaPo’s Jenna Portnoy, Fenit Nirappil and Darran Simon: “The Episcopal Dioceses of Washington and Virginia said churches including Washington National Cathedral would close for two weeks. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center canceled upcoming events, as did the promoter of concerts at the Anthem, the 9:30 Club, the Lincoln Theater and U Street Music Hall.
“Organizers said parts of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival would be shelved, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon had its city permit pulled, and the St. Patrick’s Day parade scheduled for Sunday was postponed indefinitely.”
— “Canadian officials reviewing border policy as COVID-19 spreads across the U.S.,” by the Toronto Star’s Alex Boutilier: “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that with hundreds of thousands of people crossing the border every day, the U.S. is ‘a real potential vector of transmission.’” Toronto Star
TRUMP’S THURSDAY — The president will participate in the arrival of Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at 10:45 a.m. in the West Wing lobby. The two will participate in a meeting in the Oval Office followed by an expanded bilateral meeting.
PLAYBOOK READS
WHAT A STORY! … SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE: “New details of misconduct by former Rep. Duncan Hunter emerge ahead of sentencing,”by Morgan Cook and Jeff McDonald:“Even as former Rep. Duncan Hunter insisted publicly that he never mishandled campaign donations — allegations he later admitted to in U.S. District Court— the Republican from Alpine was deliberately hiding his criminal behavior, federal prosecutors said in a filing Tuesday.
“The disgraced congressman, who in January resigned the 50th District seat he held for almost six terms, knowingly used political contributions to support a lavish lifestyle, including fancy meals, trips with girlfriends and even paying for his children’s private-school tuition, the filing states.
“At the same time Hunter told national television audiences and local supporters that he did nothing wrong, claiming he was the victim of a witch hunt cooked up by his political enemies, hundreds of pages of evidence made public Tuesday show the congressman was actively obfuscating his role in the campaign finance scandal. … Hunter met a woman … and quickly moved in with the unidentified woman, prosecutors said. … Other court records show Hunter engaged in at least four other extramarital affairs, often subsidizing getaways with political donations to his congressional campaigns.”
DOWN BALLOT: “Democrats smell blood in Texas after sky-high primary turnout,” by Ally Mutnick: “Staggeringly high Democratic turnout in the Texas suburbs last week has the party bullish about capturing a half-dozen seats that slipped through its grasp in the 2018 midterms.
“Democratic primaries in six GOP-held districts saw a roughly 100 percent increase in voters compared to 2016, according to a POLITICO analysis of turnout data. The spike indicates that a lethal recipe might be brewing for Republicans in the run-up to November: President Donald Trump’s unpopularity in the suburbs, combined with rapid demographic change and an amped-up Democratic base.
“After coming tantalizingly close to flipping several red-leaning seats in 2018, Democratic candidates are gearing up in and around the state’s five largest cities. Their game plan: win over moderates and independents repelled by the president, and bring in as many new Democratic voters as possible.” POLITICO
FOR YOUR RADAR — “Rocket Attack on Iraqi Base Kills Two U.S. Troops, British Soldier,” by WSJ’s Isabel Coles and Nancy Youssef: “Two American troops and a British soldier were killed in a rocket attack Wednesday that targeted an Iraqi base where coalition troops are stationed, and U.S. officials said they are considering retaliatory options.
“Another 12 people were wounded in the attack, some severely, according to one official. … The attack came two months after a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian military unit responsible for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ external operations. It marked a new escalation in regional tensions that had eased after Maj. Gen. Soleimani’s killing in January brought the region to the brink of war.” WSJ
— QASSEM SOLEIMANI was born on March 11.
MEDIAWATCH — Mike Farrell is joining cybersecurity firm Synack as head of media. He most recently has been cybersecurity editor for POLITICO.
SPOTTED: Robert O’Brien having an off-the-record dinner Tuesday night at CSIS hosted by the think tank’s Dan Runde for about 20 current and former officials.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — NSC ARRIVAL LOUNGE — Hugh Dugan is now special assistant to the president and senior director for international organizations at the NSC. He most recently was acting special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and has also been a professor of diplomacy at Seton Hall University. He was also a longtime career State employee.
TRANSITION — Aviva Rosenthal has been appointed director of the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of International Relations. She previously was senior adviser there, and is an Obama State Department and Clinton White House alum.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Jared Bass, a professional staff member for the House Appropriations Committee, and Chloe Bass, technical adviser for women’s economic empowerment at World Vision, recently welcomed Caleb Bass. He joins older brother Josiah. Pic
— Lakecia Foster Stickney, policy director for House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Alim Stickney, senior staff project accountant at CallisonRTKL, recently welcomed Alim S. Stickney II (“Deuce”). He came in at 7 lbs, 13 oz and 20 inches. Pic… Another pic
BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Matt Bravo, principal at S-3 Group. A trend he thinks doesn’t get enough attention: “How the Washington Redskins are going to build a powerhouse football team (and hopefully a new stadium) soon.” Playbook Q&A
BIRTHDAYS: Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is 73 … Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is 52 … Jake Tapper is 51 (h/t Ben Chang) … Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) is 63 … Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) is 7-0 … former Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) is 72 … Andrew Young is 88 … WSJ’s Emily Stephenson … POLITICO’s Justin Stuckey … Lloyd Dobyns is 84 … James Ball … Alex Vargo … Neil Fried … Riley Barnes, senior adviser at State, is 33 … Scott Comer … HUD’s Ashley Ludlow … Remi Yamamoto of Joe Biden’s campaign … Kathleen Siedlecki (h/t Jon Haber) … Rebekah Williams Lovorn … Preston Maddock … Eric Shawn, Fox News anchor/senior correspondent … Jeremy Pelzer is 38 … Andres Penfold of NBC News … Wroe Jackson … Chris Ellis … Lewis Laskin … Chris LaPlaca … Sam Noel …
… Eric Burns, founder/partner at Bullfight Strategies … Reed DesRosiers … Carl Hiaasen is 67 … Marcy Stech, director of communications at Emerson Collective … Slate’s Jim Newell is 35 … FT’s Peter Spiegel … Jalen Drummond … Tara (Jeffries) Payne is 27 … Aaron Magid is 31 … Selma Bardakci … Katie Armstrong … Adam Sullivan, assistant Transportation secretary for governmental affairs … Marshall Kosloff … Elizabeth Hinson … Julia Nista … Melissa Ryan … Theresa Jansen … State’s Kedenard Raymond … Brian Weiss, VP of media affairs at USTelecom … David Sheon, president and CEO of Whitecoat Strategies … Noah Flessel … Steven Stenberg, president at Arc Reaction … Aaron Kraus … Jeff Lande … Yana Calou … Talia Schmidt … Nick Woodfield … Rebecca Dishotsky … Stacey Grundman
By Caffeinated Thoughts on Mar 11, 2020 07:37 pm
U.S. Rep. Steve King turned in 3,532 signatures to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office to qualify for Iowa 4th Congressional District’s GOP Primary. Read in browser »
By Shane Vander Hart on Mar 11, 2020 04:33 pm
The Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that preempts local governments restricting Iowans from lawful possession of firearms and attachments. Read in browser »
By Shane Vander Hart on Mar 11, 2020 01:05 pm
A Des Moines Register and Mediacom poll shows Republicans with an advantage on a generic ballot in all four of Iowa’s congressional districts. Read in browser »
Launched in 2006, Caffeinated Thoughts reports news and shares commentary about culture, current events, faith and state and national politics from a Christian and conservative point of view.
President Donald Trump will meet with the Prime Minister of Ireland then receive his daily briefing. Keep up with Trump on Our President’s Schedule Page. President Trump’s Itinerary for 3/12/20 – note: this page will be updated during the day if events warrant Keep up with Trump on Our President’s …
President Donald Trump addresses the nation to update the people of the United States on recent developments in the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) that started in the Wuhan Province of China. The Trump administration’s effort to slow the spread of the virus started earlier and with more vigor …
Coronavirus, which has caused more than 4,500 deaths across the globe, can remain viable in the air for up to three hours, and on plastic and stainless steel for up to three days, according to a study conducted by a team of U.S. government researchers released Wednesday. The lead author …
The Supreme Court delivered a win for the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, blocking a federal court injunction that would have limited a program that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico. The nation’s highest court on Wednesday ruled that the White House’s Remain in Mexico program, also known as Migrant …
Update: This briefing has been canceled as President Donald Trump will address the nation Wednesday night. Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force hold a briefing to update the media and the nation on recent developments. The event has been canceled. Live Stream Content …
Matthew Albence, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), didn’t pull punches when asked if the agency would consider pausing its operations while the U.S. Census Bureau begins knocking on doors. Albence appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on Wednesday to discuss ICE’s budget. Throughout …
Senate Democrat Wants Probe Of Agencies Providing Burisma-Biden Information To Congress – Democrats cannot have anything conclusive come out of this investigation – at least for now.
Presidential hopeful Joe Biden wants the American public to believe that he is all about unity, dignity, togetherness, and inclusivity. Unfortunately for Biden, his recent conduct and/or statements seriously undermine this message/vision and strengthen the possibility that his message of unity and togetherness is pure “malarkey,” as he frequently says. …
Trump Administration Threatens Veto Of Democrats’ No Ban Act:
The Democrats’ only answer to the spread of Coronavirus is to open the borders – all the way.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading scientist on the Trump administration’s Coronavirus task force, issued a stark warning Wednesday during a House hearing about efforts to contain spread of the virus. “Bottom line: it’s going to get worse,” Fauci told lawmakers at a House Oversight Committee hearing. “I can say we …
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is looking for additional victims of a Tampa area man charged Monday with a 25-count indictment including eight counts of mail fraud, eight counts of making false statements in immigration documents, and nine counts of aggravated identity …
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that up to 70% of the German population could come down with the novel coronavirus. “Given a virus for which there is no immunity and no immunization, we have to understand that many people will be infected, the consensus among experts is that 60 …
Lawmakers in the House reached an agreement Tuesday to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, with some proposed reforms aimed at addressing some problems the Justice Department’s inspector general found with the FBI’s surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page. The proposed bill comes just days before the surveillance law, …
The Democratic Party asked Twitter to do something about a heavily edited video the Trump reelection campaign produced of former Vice President Joe Biden, The Daily Beast reported Tuesday. The Democratic National Committee flagged the video on behalf of the former vice president, whose campaign is using members of the …
Super Tuesday Part II obviously didn’t go well for Bernie Sanders, who just a few weeks ago looked like a bit of a juggernaut. It was the second week in a row that Grandpa Stalin got his clock cleaned by Crazy Joe the Wonder Veep, making it clear that the Democrats prefer moderately-socialist senility to communism.
Bernie’s path to the Democratic nomination hasn’t just been choked off by Biden’s recent wins, but by the fact that most Democrats are — in true hive-mind fashion — are falling in line and endorsing the former vice president.
After this past Tuesday’s results many people, including me, wondered if Sanders would soon be dropping out of the race.
Following another round of devastating primary losses on Tuesday, Bernie Sanders delivered a statement to the media from Burlington, Vermont. The one-time frontrunner was facing calls to drop out, with some are already declaring the race over. But Sanders made it clear that he’s not going anywhere, saying he looks forward to debating Joe Biden on Sunday, and telling the former vice president directly that he has questions he expects him to answer during that debate.
While it is true that Sanders isn’t mathematically eliminated, it takes an extraordinary amount of optimism to see him overcoming the overwhelming establishment opposition against him. “Establishment” refers to the party and its media mouthpieces. Yesterday, the New York Times ran an Op-Ed titled “The Sanders Coalition Is Not Quite What We Thought It Was.”
Bernie is fighting an uphill battle against a political machine that he has been pretending to be a part of, despite the fact that everyone knows it isn’t true.
The Democratic party would love nothing better than to have Bernie do a quick “Peace out!” now, and not expose Biden to another debate. They all know that Biden is the senile uncle who no one wants to get cornered by at a family gathering. Some in the party are publicly pleading for the party to get involved and strong-arm a finish to it all and minimize Biden’s chances to implode.
The uneasy relationship between Bernie and the party he uses only to run for president is now entering another ugly phase, as far as the Democrats are concerned, anyway.
Sanders and his supporters never got rid of the resentment from 2016, when the party had rigged the nomination for Hillary Clinton from the beginning.
This year the fix isn’t in quite as overtly, but it’s safe to say that no one at the DNC is sporting a Bernie bumper sticker on their cars.
Bernie knows that they want him gone quickly, which is precisely why he will linger as long as he possibly can. Like all commies, he stays in a perpetual state of victimhood. He may rail against billionaires all of the time, but it is the Democratic National Committee that is the real monster under his bed.
If — in true commie fashion — Sanders thinks he can stick it to “the man” by hanging around and exposing Biden as the drooling slow kid that he is, then he is going to do so.
With relish.
Enemy of the People Update
After President Trump addressed the nation about the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, the faux journalism machine at CNN began whirring.
Then (or maybe before, it’s not like I watch CNN) Village Idiot Jim Acosta joined Fredo Cuomo to let everyone know that Trump’s referring to the virus as “foreign” would seem like xenophobia to many Americans.
This precisely showcases why CNN is deserving of all of the scorn heaped upon it by the president and his supporters. Acosta isn’t reporting here, he’s editorializing.
That’s not journalism.
As long as they call themselves journalists and continue to merely offer opinions, they earn all of the negativity that comes their way.
“I think it’s going to come across to a lot of Americans as smacking of xenophobia…”@Acosta says @realDonaldTrump calling COVID-19 a “foreign virus” could be considered xenophobic language and suggests WH aide Stephen Miller was behind the use of the term.
Happy Thursday. In the span of about 15 minutes last night, President Trump instituted a ban on travel from Europe, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announced they both tested positive for COVID-19, and the NBA suspended its season “until further notice.” But other than that, pretty typical Wednesday.
Quick Hits: Today’s Top Stories
In a primetime address to the nation, President Trump announced a 30-day ban on travel from Europe (excluding legal permanent residents of the United States and members of their immediate family), starting Friday at 11:59 p.m., to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The United Kingdom was exempted from this ban.
Trump also outlined a series of economic measures his administration is pursuing to ease the financial burden of COVID-19, including delaying the April 15 tax deadline for those affected by the virus, offering low-interest loans to small businesses facing a cash crunch, and reducing the payroll tax. (The latter two proposals would require congressional sign-off).
The World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic.
The NBA announced it was suspending its season “until further notice” after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz, tested positive for the virus. The NCAA took a smaller step, declaring it would bar fans from attending the upcoming men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments. But that decision could be revisited in the coming days.
Despite continuing to lose ground in the delegate count after Tuesday’s voting, Bernie Sanders promised to remain in the presidential race and said he will debate Joe Biden on Sunday. North Dakota was officially called for Sanders Wednesday morning, while Washington remains too close to declare a winner.
Disgraced film executive Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for third-degree rape and criminal sex acts.
Three American and coalition troops were killed—and 12 wounded—in Iraq on Wednesday. An Iranian-backed militia likely launched the rocket attack on the Camp Taji military base.
On Coronavirus, Trump Signals He’s Ready to Get Serious
There’s no way around it: President Trump’s national primetime address on the coronavirus last night was a mess. Trump misdescribed, in one way or another, all three major policies he announced. Afterward, the White House hastened to correct the record: Only foreign nationals would be banned from traveling to America from Europe, not returning Americans; European trade would continue, not be suspended as Trump had said, and health insurance companies had agreed to provide only coronavirus testing, not coronavirus treatment, free of charge.
But in at least one crucial respect, the speech was helpful. After weeks of downplaying the severity of the virus, President Trump finally spoke directly to the American people and told them what his top health officials have been saying for weeks: that while the virus is not a mortality risk to most of the population, it is still a very deadly disease, and that every American has a responsibility to take basic precautions to hamper its spread.
Earlier this week, another of Andrew’s pieces for the site examined how the novel coronavirus risks putting dangerous strain on the U.S. health care system, and how the chief factor in staving off a crisis will be how well the general public can work together to slow the disease’s spread. One reader made a good point in response:
There is plenty of reporting of advice from public health officials on how to reduce the spread… What is missing, and what could be very very important given the comments in this article, is practical advice to households on how to care for a covid-19 patient in their homes as long as they can before seeking hospitalization. How to care for someone without catching it yourself. How to care for someone to give them the best chance to get well. How to keep patients out of the hospital until their condition compels no other choice. How to know and detect that threshold.
We reached out to a few of the experts interviewed in the original article to ask how they’d respond to such questions. Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician and professor of medicine at Brown University, passed along the following:
If you are in a high-risk group (elderly, immunosuppressed, or with chronic illnesses), you should NOT be the person caring for a household member.
We don’t yet know a lot about the virus. It seems that the best way to care for people at home is the same as for any virus—making sure that people stay hydrated (drink lots of fluids) and get plenty of rest.
To minimize chance of transmission, try to maintain space between yourself and your household member (six feet). Clean surfaces with a bleach- or alcohol-based product. Wash your hands.
The threshold for hospitalization includes: a patient not acting like herself or not making sense, even when her fever is under control; rapid breathing (more than 25-30 breaths/minute), even when a fever is under control; or inability to walk more than a few steps without feeling faint or out of breath; severe chest pain.
When in doubt, though, call your primary care doctor (or use telehealth)! No internet advice can ever take the place of a discussion with a qualified professional.
A Surprisingly Necessary Defense of Capitalism
Back in the early days of this newsletter, we covered a speech by Sen. Marco Rubio in which he attempted to chart a new path for the Republican Party. Rubio critiqued what he saw as the excesses of a purely free market economic system, advocating for the government to play a larger role in areas where “market principles and our national interest are not aligned.”
And a few weeks ago, Jonah began his Hump Day Epistle by taking a look at a new conservative think tank—American Compass—whose mission is to push back on what they call libertarian “fundamentalists” in Republican economic policymaking and “restore an economic consensus that emphasizes the importance of family, community, and industry to the nation’s liberty and prosperity.”
Marc Thibault, 48, awoke in a Rhode Island hospital to see a priest wearing protective gear, on stand-by in case last rites needed to be administered. Thibault, who has asthma, thankfully survived, and gave a gripping account of his agonizing, weeks-long struggle with COVID-19 to the Wall Street Journal.
The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple talked to several CPAC attendees a few weeks back, finding they mostly believed the media would overhype coronavirus coverage in order to damage President Trump, just as Mick Mulvaney had insinuated on the stage at CPAC. The wife of one of the people Wemple talked to is now exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, and is struggling to get tested for the virus. Asked again about Trump’s claim that anyone who wants a test can get a test, the attendee stuck by the president. “He’s a big-picture guy and I don’t hold that against him,” he said. “You have to have lived in New York to understand Trump.”
At this point, it’s becoming clear that Sen. Bernie Sanders is not likely to be the Democratic nominee for president this November. This article from BuzzFeed News shows what it was like inside the campaign as the candidate and his staff started to realize their cause was coming to an end. Frustration, anger, anxiety—the emotions felt by those on the inside are captured in interviews with nearly two dozen people from Team Bernie.
In this week’s Dispatch Podcast, the gang—Sarah, Steve, Jonah, and David—talk Democratic primary, sexism and its role (or lack thereof) in Elizabeth Warren’s demise, and the economic impact of the coronavirus. Tune in here!
Jonah’s latest Hump Day Epistle fills readers in on the other epidemic soon to be sweeping the United States: COHID-20 (Codger Hypocrisy Disease 2020). “Both [Donald Trump and Joe Biden] often talk like they are a few fries short of a happy meal. If you can’t see it, it’s because you don’t want to.” Give it a read here!
Kemberlee Kaye: “I’m sure it was just an accident…”
Mary Chastain: “Bernie is not going anywhere, but Harvey Weinstein is going to prison for 23 years.”
Stacey Matthews: “Failed presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has still not endorsed either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders, but 50 of her former campaign staffers announced on Tuesday that they were endorsing Sanders. In a letter posted on Medium, they stated he was ‘the best option for Warren Democrats right now.'”
Leslie Eastman: “I had a spill response training class Wednesday, which became an impromptu review of COVID-19 precautions! The good sign is that everyone was laughing about the toilet-paper panic buying. Now if we could only do something about Wall Street and its panic-selling, we should be OK.”
Vijeta Uniyal: “A top terrorist-turned-regime official, who in 1979 stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 62 American hostages, has died of coronavirus, Iran’s state media confirmed. Hossein Sheikholeslam, a student at the University of California at Berkeley before the Islamic Revolution of 1979, interrogated U.S. hostages during the 444-day ordeal.”
Legal Insurrection Foundation is a Rhode Island tax-exempt corporation established exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to educate and inform the public on legal, historical, economic, academic, and cultural issues related to the Constitution, liberty, and world events.
For more information about the Foundation, CLICK HERE.
Global Pandemic
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office about the country’s fight against the global Coronavirus outbreak last night, announcing the suspension of all travel from Europe to the U.S. for the next 30 days. The new rules go into effect Friday at midnight. There will be exemptions for Americans who have undergone screenings, and the restrictions won’t apply to the U.K. The ban does apply, however, to cargo coming from Europe. The 30-day period is subject to adjustments based on conditions on the ground.The president said he will also take emergency action to provide financial relief for people facing hardship over missing work due to Coronavirus concerns, and announced that insurance companies have agreed to waive co-payments on all coronavirus diagnosis and treatment procedures.
The administration is also encouraging nursing homes to suspend medically unnecessary visits to protect the most vulnerable population from the virus.
“Smart action today will prevent the spread of the virus tomorrow. Every community faces different risks and it is critical for you to follow the guidelines of your local officials… and practice good hygiene,” Trump said.
The address came after the World Health Organization officially declared coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 a pandemic. What does that mean?
“A pandemic is defined as ‘the worldwide spread of a new disease.’ While it can be argued that we knew the spread of coronavirus was global weeks ago, specifics about the geographic spread (not the deadliness) of the virus did not previously qualify it for pandemic status. Experts use the term pandemic when epidemics are advancing in multiple locations on multiple continents at the same time,” writes Nicole Fisher, a health policy expert for The Federalist.
“What also makes a pandemic classification different from other diseases and illnesses that we see all over the world, such as cancer or dementia, is that it’s infectious,” she writes. “That means it can be spread directly or indirectly from person to person. As of today, the COVID-19 viral disease has been noted in at least 114 countries, infecting more than 120,000 people and killing more than 4,000.”
(Reminder: “WHO hasn’t said anything about the Chinese government’s deliberate cover-up of the early coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it went out of its way to preserve Beijing’s ego.” More on that via Helen Raleigh for The Federalist.)
Cities across the country are encouraging all non-essential mass gatherings to be cancelled, along with other social, cultural and entertainment events. Public schools and universities are also shutting down, with many shifting to remote learning. The NBA suspended its entire season after one of its players tested positive for the coronavirus. Expect more announcements like this to follow.
Life, as we know it, is changing. My take? Buckle up. Things will undoubtably get worse before they get better. But they will get better. If we’re willing to make personal sacrifices, take care of our elderly, and spend more time with our families at home, the major threat could be resolved by the summer.
Biden ‘Went Off The Deep End’
The Detroit construction worker who Joe Biden accused of being “full of sh-t” responded on Fox & Friends yesterday, saying Biden “went off the deep end.” (Ya think?)
“I thought I was pretty articulate and respectful. I didn’t try to raise any feathers,” Jerry Wayne said. “He kind of just went off the deep end.”
You can watch his entire response over at The Federalist, where he confronts the former VP’s “lie” about guns.
As The Federalist’s Mollie Hemingwayput it, maybe, just maybe, the “return to normalcy” candidate should stop threatening to beat people up.
“Leaving aside the more significant problem of Biden’s position on the 2nd Amendment, Joe Biden’s candidacy is based around a media-enabled narrative that he is a decent man who will bring civility and normalcy back to Washington. He promises to bring unity to the country.”
“Such threatening behavior suggests he might not be the candidate to do that.”
And just when you thought Biden had maxed out his cringe-worthy moments for the week, he claimedat a campaign stop Kim Jong-un is from South Korea and that he has spent a lot of time with him. (He hasn’t.)
“Kim Jong-un has know a person[?] that I know him or not.. I spent a lot of time with these folks.” Yikes.
Despite these unbearable gaffs, the 77-year-old remains the inevitable Democrat presidential nominee. And that’s despite 78-year-old Bernie Sanders saying he “very much looking forward to the debate in Arizona with Joe Biden,” scheduledto take place this Sunday. I’m sure we all can’t wait for that.
The future is….old and white!
Remain in Mexico
The Supreme Court handed President Trump a victory yesterday, blocking a federal injunction that would have dismantled his administration’s “remain in Mexico” policy. The policy requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their applications are being processed in the U.S., and has been credited for contributing to a significant drop in number of illegal immigrants being processed at the border.
“The court’s decision overturns a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals injunction against the policy covering the entire U.S.-Mexico border. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the only judge who dissented,” reports National Review.
As Sen. Ted Cruz pointed out (from his home in Texas, where he is under a self-quarantine) this ruling is “especially critical as we work to contain spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.”
Ahead of the ruling, the Trump administration sent military troops to parts of the border to prepare for any surges of migrants crossing, in the case the Supreme Court didn’t rule in its favor.
Harvey Weinstein Will Die Behind Bars
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years behind bars for his conviction on third-degree rape and sexual assault. Considering Weinstein is 67 years old and already suffers from health conditions, he’ll likely die in prison.
His defense lawyer, who requested five years, called it so much—a “de-facto life sentence.”
“We thank the survivors for their remarkable statements today and indescribable courage over the last two years,” Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement, according to NPR.
“Harvey Weinstein deployed nothing less than an army of spies to keep them silent. But they refused to be silent, and they were heard. Their words took down a predator and put him behind bars and gave hope to survivors of sexual violence all across the world.”
The New York Post snagged a picture of the old creeper being wheeled out of court to jail. SAD!
But apparently, he didn’t make it very far—shortly after receiving his sentence, the movie mogul was taken to the hospital for chest pains. That’s one way to avoid a life sentence.
The Bachelor
You may or may not have been following all of the drama surrounding this season’s “The Bachelor” (personally, I only tuned in for the last couple episodes), but I am SO in lovewith Madison’s relationship with his dad. #GirlDadGoals
Podcast Rec of the Week The Federalist Radio Hour! I’m sure most of our BRIGHT followers have tuned in before, but if you haven’t, The Federalist Radio Hour is worth subscribing. Hosted by Ben Domenech, it’s a daily podcast featuring engaging and in-depth conversations with journalists, scholars, authors, politicians, and thinkers of all stripes. One day, they’re talking about The Bachelor, the next, they’re talking with the nation’s leading voices on the coronavirus pandemic. If you don’t have time to listen as part of your daily routine, there’s plenty to binge on during a long road trip…or er, quarantine. Enjoy!
Kelsey Bolar is a wife, a mom, and a senior news reporter/producer at The Daily Signal, the multimedia news organization at The Heritage Foundation. She is also a Visiting Fellow at Independent Women’s Forum, a contributor to The Federalist, and the 2017-2018 Tony Blankley Fellow at The Steamboat Institute. She previously worked at Fox News in New York City, and now lives in Washington, D.C., where she balances her passion for politics with her affinity for yoga and her Australian Shepherd, Utah. Follow her on Twitter @kelseybolar and on Instagram @kelseybolar. Opinions expressed on this website are her own and not those of any other person or entity.
Note: By using some of the links above, Bright may be compensated through the Amazon Affiliate program and Magic Links. However, none of this content is sponsored and all opinions are our own.
Mar 12, 2020 01:00 am
It’s no surprise that something so small that it cannot be seen with an ordinary microscope is also said to be racist. Read More…
Mar 12, 2020 01:00 am
Online educational programs created to address the coronavirus may awaken students to the fact that they actually don’t have to attend a “brick and mortar” public school in order to receive a high-quality education. Read More…
Omar gets married. Again…
Mar 12, 2020 01:00 am
Omar snatched someone’s husband, denied an affair to avoid conflict-of-interest charges, married the guy … and now praises her ‘god’ for such a lovely picture. Read more…
Coronavirus and China dependency
Mar 12, 2020 01:00 am
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has put focus on how strong dependency on a foreign nation can suddenly yield a black swan event. Read more…
A mother has been taken into custody after throwing her 11-year-old son from the fourth-floor balcony of her apartment, police in St. Paul, Minnesota, said.Officers responded Monday morning to a call from someone who lives in the apartments who originally reported the incident as an attempted suicide. But after they conducted interviews w … Read more
By John Daniel Davidson
For the second time now, the Supreme Court has backed the administration, reaffirming that federal judges can’t dictate asylum policy. Full article
By Christopher Bedford
It won’t be comfortable in a city that has grown used to substituting talking points and campaign ads for governance, but the nature of the coronavirus crisis demands answers, and here’s why. Full article
By Kaj Larsen
As we enter a year in which the madness on all sides will rise to a fever pitch, ‘The Hunt’ may be the cold shower we all desperately need. Full article
By Kyle Sammin
From border control and foreign goods to deadly germs, this is a crisis President Trump is uniquely positioned to handle responsibly. Full article
By Daniel Torkelson
Leaving the medical advice to the professionals, I can still offer one piece of guidance for Christians: Rest in the care of your Creator. Full article
By Emily Jashinsky
We’re facing a pandemic with 58 percent of Americans holding either ‘not very much’ trust or ‘none at all’ in the media, which is tasked with keeping us informed and keeping the government accountable. Full article
By Mayra Rodriguez
I worked at Planned Parenthood in Arizona for 15 years and the number of women I saw harmed by abortionists would shock even the most ardent abortion supporter. Full article
By Sumantra Maitra
Democrat presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wants to transform the United States into Scandinavia. That should fill you with skepticism. Full article
By Tristan Justice
CNN’s Jim Acosta joins activists in condemning anyone who points out the virus’ origin in the east Asian nation that tried desperately to cover it up. Full article
By Tristan Justice
The Republican Majority Fund is airing a new attack ad on Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden in Ohio five days before the state’s primary. Full article
By Emily Jashinsky
Neither campaign could have asked for better treatment. If they wrote and directed the sketches themselves, the best they could do is what Kate McKinnon actually did. Full article
By Tristan Justice
The NBA announced Wednesday it would be suspending the season after a player on the Utah Jazz team tested positive for the novel Wuhan coronavirus. Full article
By Tristan Justice
Donald Trump announced a new series of measures to combat the spread of the novel Wuhan coronavirus that has been declared a global pandemic by the WHO. Full article
By Nicole Fisher
After weeks of battling SARS-CoV-2, what does this new categorization actually mean? More importantly, how is it going to change your life? Full article
By Tristan Justice
House Democrats stripped language from the emergency-response supplemental package that would have extended the PREP Act’s protections to industrial masks Full article
By Tristan Justice
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders pledged his campaign would move forward following another series of major losses on Super Tuesday 2.0. Full article
By Chrissy Clark
After Joe Biden got into a spat with a Michigan auto worker named Jerry Wayne, MSNBC manipulated the footage of Biden to delete his curse words and threats. Full article
By Tristan Justice
‘I thought I was pretty articulate and respectful. I didn’t try to raise any feathers,’ Jerry Wayne said on Fox News’ ‘Fox and Friends’ Wednesday. Full article
SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRIAL HERE. The Transom is a daily email newsletter written by publisher of The Federalist Ben Domenech for political and media insiders, which arrives in your inbox each morning, collecting news, notes, and thoughts from around the web.
“You must read The Transom. With brilliant political analysis and insight into the news that matters most, it is essential to understanding this incredible moment in history. I read it every day!” – Newt Gingrich
A fascinating video shows how people transition into opposing socialism when they had supported it in the past. While it wasn’t the central theme of the video, presenter Tim Pool delved into the issue as way of explaining what was at work.
The video was on the overall theme of censorship by the national socialist media and its big tech minions. However, explaining these double standards required an explanation of why socialism doesn’t work. The presenter was once a Sanders supporter, but seeing the dysfunction and sheer hypocrisy of socialism has convinced him otherwise as it has with others.
Those who don’t know that much about socialism support it
Interact with most socialist Bernie Sanders supporters and soon enough they will make the unsupported claim that you don’t know about their cherished base ideology. This is always an essential indicator that they dwell in a bubble in which they have accepted the basic sales pitch of socialism: Free stuff for votes. Meanwhile, they haven’t learned why this little scheme doesn’t work.
Those leading them down the wrong path have sold them a bill goods without being clear about the price: their freedom. They think that it can be just like the Scandinavian countries, or they have the absurd idea that socialism is the use of tax dollars for normal government services. The first myth has been debunked so many times, it’s a wonder that leftists even bother with it any more:
They’ve been inculcated with the basic sales pitch so many times, they can almost recite it without thinking, which is most likely the case. They also have a common set of retorts to any objections to their indoctrination.
Those who truly know about socialism oppose it
Meanwhile, those who have studied or lived under the oppression of socialism oppose it. Insiders like Sanders make excuses for its horrid history only because they see it as a way to attain ultimate power for themselves.
Somehow the fact that many in the know reject socialism doesn’t impress its disciples. They either ignore the evidence or pretend it doesn’t exist. Parroting the ever-tiresome lie ‘that really wasn’t socialism’ as a way to dismiss what is staring them in the face.
Fortunately, my emotional detestation of collectivism comports perfectly with my intellectual detestation of Bernie’s movement. Capitalism saves the victims that socialism produces. Nothing achieved under socialism can’t be achieved under capitalism—other than perhaps inducing perfectly healthy people from a beautiful island to get on rickety homemade rafts and try to traverse the Caribbean to move to Florida. And yet, here we are. Again.
The Bottom Line: The irony of socialism
It’s becoming more than ironic that those ignorant of truth of collectivism tend to be disdainful of those informed of its crimes down through history. In his article on National Review David Harsanyi went through the litany of socialist repression during the last century. It’s likely that they would blithely dismiss as them ‘as not really being socialism’, or some other ad hoc rescue.
The problem is that despite the fantastic promises, that is the exact reality of socialism. It always turns out that way because that is the nature of the beast. The people are learning of this reality. That is one of the big reasons Bernie is losing.
American Conservative Movement
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Since Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s rise to prominence following her victory in 2018, I’ve avoided calls by many who claim she isn’t intelligent. She clearly has a “ditzy” way about her and her pompous attitude is often infuriating, but I’ve always considered her to be a well-educated person stuck with an annoying voice and a millennial style. After watching a couple of videos of her, one reacting to Joe Biden’s victories Tuesday night and another talking about the effect the coronavirus is having on Chinese restaurants, I’ve changed my mind.
You were all right. She really isn’t intelligent. When I’m wrong I say I’m wrong.
Ocasio-Cortez on Joe Biden winning: “Um, one thing that I do, that I am concerned about, um, overall, 100%, legitimately, is in our climate. And, um, I’m legitimately concerned about, uh, fossil fuels. I’m legitimately concerned about what this means for a just transition.” pic.twitter.com/jJvkX9PKrl
The staunch supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders for president has railed against just about every other candidate thought to have a chance at the nomination. She hit billionaire Mike Bloomberg and Biden particularly hard with her very popular Twitter account. But it wasn’t enough. Biden seems nearly locked in as the nominee.
Instead of continuing to rail against Biden, she turned to the bright side. At least she can still fight climate change. But as mind-numbing as that clip was, my numbness turned into a headache after hearing her discuss people “patroning” Chinese restaurants.
.@AOC: “People are literally not patroning Chinese restaurants, they’re not patroning Asian restaurants because of just straight up racism around the Coronavirus.” pic.twitter.com/2tTabQCIdW
Bless her heart. She’s really trying to be a good social justice warrior, keeping her chin up despite Bernie Sanders losing so badly. Considering the challenges she has with forming coherent thoughts, perhaps she’ll see Joe Biden as a kindred spirit.
American Conservative Movement
Join fellow patriots as we form a grassroots movement to advance the cause of conservatism. We have two priorities until election day: Stopping Democrats and supporting strong conservative candidates. We currently have 7500+ patriots with us in a very short time. If you are interested, please join us to receive updates.
Stocks plummeting. Events canceled. Toilet paper flying off the shelves. It’s the type of panic one might expect from a Hollywood production about a disease ravaging the world and leaving millions dead in its wake. The problem is, the coronavirus isn’t that disease. Compared to Hollywood visions, it’s minuscule. Compared the death toll of the flu. it’s barely existent.
With this known by many and becoming known by more, why can’t I buy toilet paper without waiting in a long line of other people waiting to buy toilet paper? I didn’t know, so I started asking. Unlike everyone else, I was actually out of toilet paper. But the rest of the people I talked to in line had toilet paper. They just wanted more.
Some said they wanted to get the essentials before there was a quarantine. I didn’t try to dissuade them or share the facts about the coronavirus which are, frankly, unimpressive from a mass extinction perspective. But the majority of people I asked said they weren’t concerned about the coronavirus or quarantines, but were more worried about other people worrying about the coronavirus or quarantines. Looking up and down the line, I realized they had a valid point.
To put it another way, OCIPs (Overly Cautious Instant Preppers, a name I’ll use in lieu of “idiots”) were making a run at toilet paper, so those are worried about OCIPs taking all of the toilet paper for themselves joined them at the store before supplies ran out. These people, who anecdotally were the majority in my particular line, weren’t true OCIPs but rather counterOCIPs—people who were only panicking over the panicking.
It’s panicking all the way down.
Some people panicked out of real concern, causing other people to panic out of fear of being left behind by those who panicked over the coronavirus. Meanwhile, I actually needed toilet paper. When I got home, I ordered a bidet.
Some people panicked out of real concern, causing other people to panic out of fear of being left behind by those who panicked over the #coronavirus.
Join fellow patriots as we form a grassroots movement to advance the cause of conservatism. We have two priorities until election day: Stopping Democrats and supporting strong conservative candidates. We currently have 7500+ patriots with us in a very short time. If you are interested, please join us to receive updates.
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AMERICAN SPECTATOR
NBC
From NBC’s Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Carrie Dann
FIRST READ: Biden’s coronavirus speech provides him a contrast moment with Trump
What transpired last night in the two hours after President Trump’s remarks to the nation on the coronavirus was some of the most disruptive and unsettling news we can remember – at least in a 120-minute span.
The disease, the disruption and the fear are spreading fast.
And at 1:00 pm ET, Democrat Joe Biden gets a contrast moment with President Trump, when he delivers remarks on the coronavirus from Delaware.
As NBC’s Mike Memoli points out, the Biden camp didn’t plan on Trump addressing the nation last night – before Biden’s previously scheduled speech.
The question is whether Biden can deliver that presidential moment and clear contrast.
Sanders stays in the race
After his losses Tuesday in Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan and even Idaho, Bernie Sanders said he was staying in the Democratic presidential race.
And he used his address to challenge Joe Biden ahead of Sunday’s Dem debate in Arizona.
“Joe, what are you going to do for the 500,000 people who go bankrupt in our country because of medically-related debt, and what are you going to do for the working people of this country and small business people who are paying on average 20% of their incomes for health care?”
“Joe, what are you going to do to end the absurdity of the United States of America being the only major country on Earth where health care is not a human right? Are you really going to veto a Medicare for all bill if it is passed in Congress?”
“Joe, how are you going to respond to the scientists who tell us we have seven or eight years remaining to transform our energy system before irreparable harm takes place to this planet because of the ravages of climate change?”
The questions we have: One, what happens after for Sanders the debate, especially if there isn’t a game-changing moment?
And two, while the debate might get plenty of eyeballs (with Americans staying home), do Americans want to hear any non-coronavirus news/debate from their presidential candidates right now?
Especially in a presidential race where the handwriting is already on the wall?
By the way, Biden is now ahead of Sanders in Washington state by more than 16,000 votes with 78 percent in.
And in California, Sanders’ lead is down to 6.6 points.
DATA DOWNLOAD: And the number of the day is … 147.
147.
That’s the size of Joe Biden’s current lead over Bernie Sanders in pledged delegates, 838 to 691, according to NBC News’ Decision Desk.
Biden has won 51 percent of all pledged delegates awarded so far, while Sanders has won 42 percent of them.
To hit the magic number of 1,991 pledged delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination on a first vote, Biden needs to win 50 percent of the remaining pledged delegates.
Sanders needs to win 56 percent.
And that percentage will most likely go up after next week’s contests in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio, as well as the following week’s primary in Georgia.
2020 VISION: Biden’s delicate dance
NBC’s Alex Seitz-Wald writes about HOW Biden can win over Bernie Sanders’ supporters.
“Jennifer Palmieri, who was Clinton’s communications director four years ago, said Biden needs to give Sanders’ campaign space, pay homage to the movement it built, and recognize that attempts to strong-arm the candidate or his supporters will most likely backfire.”
“‘You can’t force Bernie Sanders supporters to do anything. Even Bernie Sanders can’t force Bernie Sanders supporters to do anything,’ she said. ‘Letting Sanders determine what’s best for his people is probably ultimately what’s best for Biden, so long as Sanders supporters are not echoing Trump’s arguments.’”
Added progressive activist and former Sanders supporter Jonathan Tasini: “The price of unity has to be extracting some very specific concessions on big issues that speak to what Bernie supporters want.”
On the campaign trail today: Joe Biden delivers his speech on the coronavirus at 1:00 pm ET from Wilmington, Del.
Dispatches from NBC’s campaign embeds: In a Biden memo obtained by NBC News, Marianna Sotomayor reports the campaign’s thinking on Bernie Sanders’ decision to stay in the presidential contest: “Discussing the ‘path forward,’ the campaign points out that a Sanders rebound would require ‘the kind of blowouts’ that they were able to pull off in Alabama, Mississippi and Virginia where Biden won roughly three dozen delegates in each state. ‘It is hard to imagine which upcoming states would provide Sanders this opportunity,’ the memo says, pointing out that many of the Vermont senator’s ‘strongest states have already voted.’ The campaign, whose strategy has always prioritized winning delegate rich counties, does concede that Sanders will win Oregon, but it would not be enough to make up for his ‘significant delegate deficit.’”
TWEET OF THE DAY: Welcome, Baby Ro!
THE LID: Detroit Rock City
Don’t miss the pod from yesterday, when we asked just what went so wrong for Sanders in Michigan.
SHAMELESS PLUG: New Chuck ToddCast!
Check out the latest Chuck Toddcast, when Yamiche Alcindor and Alex Seitz-Wald joined one of us to talk about what’s next for Bernie Sanders’ campaign.
ICYMI: News clips you shouldn’t miss
The longest ever bull market for U.S. stocks — 11 years — ended yesterday.
Here’s what we know (and don’t know) about the travel restrictions the president announced yesterday.
Heath officials declared the coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday, before President Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office to impose restrictions on most European travelers. Also, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison before being rushed to the hospital with chest pains. All that and all that matters in today’s Eye Opener. Your world in 90 seconds.
Watch Video +
Coronavirus declared a pandemic
Watch Video +
Washington state bans large gatherings amid virus pandemic
Read Story +
Pence vows U.S. will make “every effort” to contain coronavirus
Watch Video +
Tokyo Olympics — and billions of dollars — threatened by coronavirus
Read Story +
Country star Maren Morris talks music, family and the Houston Rodeo
A debate is underway about how much isolation coronavirus requires
By Judith Miller New York Daily News
March 7, 2020
Editor’s note: This story was included in MI’s daily newsletter on Tuesday, March 10—with an incorrect link. Our apologies for the error.
With Bernie Sanders’s likely failure to win the Democratic nomination, it’s worth reflecting on the implausible costs of his proposals.
By Milton Ezrati City Journal Online
March 11, 2020
“Why does it seem like America has gotten slower, not faster, at tackling large-scale projects–from building New York’s decades-delayed Second Avenue subway to responding to the threat of coronavirus? The decennial census may hold a clue.”
By Salim Furth Economics21
March 12, 2020
Physician Joel Zinberg joins Brian Anderson to discuss the global coronavirus epidemic, public-health efforts to contain the virus’s spread, America’s medical supply-chain vulnerabilities, and more.
The Manhattan Institute hosted its Spring 2020 meeting of the Shadow Open Market Committee last week, held in the memory of distinguished economist and SOMC member Marvin Goodfriend. During the meeting, panelists discussed the implications of Marvin’s research for the Fed’s current policy deliberations.
CIVIL SOCIETY AWARDS
Nominations are open for the Manhattan Institute’s 2020 Civil Society Awards. This fall, four winners will each receive a $25,000 award for their efforts to keep our social fabric from fraying, assist those who need it most, and help people change the course of their lives. Nominate an outstanding nonprofit by March 20, 2020. Learn more at civilsocietyawards.com.
Manhattan Institute is a think tank whose mission is to develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility.
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REALCLEARPOLITICS
03/12/2020
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Carl Cannon’s Morning Note
‘Wartime’ President; Biden’s Luck; Viral Identity
By Carl M. Cannon on Mar 12, 2020 09:12 am
Good morning. It’s Thursday, March 12, 2020. The cascading cancellations and postponements of events ranging from college basketball tournaments and the professional basketball season to St. Patrick’s Day parades, college semesters, European travel, and thousands of professional conferences is the story of the week — probably the year. It might turn out to be the story of the century, although the 21st century is still young. I’ve certainly never seen anything like this, and I’ve covered the news for four decades.
As always, some people can’t resist playing politics with this pandemic. This is disappointing, if not surprising. But elected officials from the president on down should know that their reaction to emergencies — yes, even those not of their making — is how Americans judge their leaders. It has been forever thus. Herbert Hoover, whom I wrote about yesterday, didn’t cause the Great Depression any more than Donald Trump launched the coronavirus sweeping the world with mind-boggling speed. But Hoover was irresolute in responding to the crisis, and he paid for that unsteadiness with his presidency and his reputation.
Meanwhile, our two highly polarized major political parties, stoked by a predictably partisan news media, are indulging themselves by squabbling over what to even call this disease. I’ll have more on that in moment. First, I’d point you to RealClearPolitics’ front page, which presents our poll averages, videos, breaking news stories, and aggregated opinion pieces spanning the political spectrum. We also offer original material from our own reporters, columnists, and contributors, including the following:
* * *
Coronavirus Shifts Trump to a “Wartime” Footing. Phil Wegmann reports on the president’s speech to the nation last night.
Biden’s Luck Finally Has Changed. Will It Hold? Howard Fineman reflects on the politician he’s known for many years, writing that Biden’s revived front-runner status faces further tests.
Trump Tower Translator Told FBI “No Collusion.” In RealClearInvestigations, Mark Hemingway examines newly released documents that show a key finding in the Russia collusion probe was left out of the Mueller report.
Ignore the Keynesian Corona Alarmists. RealClearMarkets editor John Tamny decries calls to force more consumption amid the virus-induced slowdown, arguing that history will show that a challenge was made needlessly worse by inept politicians.
Five Facts: Global Diseases. In RealClearPolicy, No Labels offers this primer on how new contagious diseases spread, affect various populations, and eventually come under control.
Pauli Murray’s Biblical Hopes for Displaced African Americans. Our Women’s History Month series continues with this 1978 sermon by the first black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest.
How Two States Made Big Gains for English Language Learners. In RealClearEducation, Sydnee Dickson and Christina Kishimoto outline progress made in Utah and Hawaii.
* * *
Remember the obdurate mayor in the movie “Jaws”? Played to perfection by Murray Hamilton, the top elected official of mythical “Amity Island” was more concerned with losing tourist dollars than publicly acknowledging that a ravenous great white shark was feeding on beachgoers. Yet, director Stephen Spielberg was mindful of the tension between those wanting to protect the public with precautions that seemed drastic and those worried about the cost to residents’ livelihoods should the local economy crater. Spielberg mined that friction skillfully.
Donald Trump has found himself unfortunately cast in the role of Amity Island’s mayor. The president’s instinct at the onset of the outbreak was to calm the markets and downplay the danger. Trump was first asked about the crisis on Jan. 22, while in Davos, Switzerland, by CNBC financial reporter Joe Kernen.
“The CDC has identified a case of coronavirus in Washington state, the Wuhan strain of this,” Kernen began. “If you remember SARS, that affected GDP — travel-related effects — have you been briefed by the CDC?”
“Yes,” president said, nodding.
“Are there worries about a pandemic at this point?” Kernen continued.
“Not at all,” replied the president. “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China and we have it under control. It’s gonna be just fine.”
This was an almost uncanny Mayor Vaughn imitation, especially when one considers that four days earlier, the CDC had dispatched more than 100 staffers to international airport hubs in three major U.S. cities — San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York — to screen passengers traveling from the Wuhan region.
It wasn’t “one person,” in other words, and by Jan. 31, the president had ordered restrictions on flights from China. This was too little, too late — but even that measured move was too much for a cadre of congressional Democrats who claimed the president was sowing ethnic intolerance.
“This is a virus that happened to pop up in China,” Rep. Ami Bera of California, who chairs a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, told Politico on Feb. 4. “In our response we can’t create prejudices and harbor anxieties toward one population.”
The following day, at a hearing chaired by Bera, Democrats solicited similar sentiments from witnesses — and echoed them as well.
“The United States and other countries around the world have put in place unprecedented travel restrictions in response to the virus,” said Rep. Eliot Engel of New York. “These measures have not proven to improve public health outcomes. Rather, they tend to cause economic harm and to stake racist and discriminatory responses to this epidemic.”
It’s not clear why anyone would consider it prudent to allow thousands of people at the epicenter of a lethal new virus to fly all over the world, but that wasn’t the end of it. (Last night, in his televised speech to the nation, Trump lambasted European nations for not restricting travel sooner. He made no mention of his own initial response.)
Earlier Wednesday, in perhaps the perfect example of the toxic brew that comes when hyper-partisanship is fused with campus-style political correctness, Democrats from coast to coast went haywire when House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy referred to the epidemic as “the Chinese coronavirus.”
“This labeling of the illness is embarrassing, disrespectful, offensive, and downright disgusting,” tweeted New York Rep. Grace Meng. “It is shameful. The minority leader must immediately apologize.”
Sen. Kamala Harris of California chimed in that calling this disease the Chinese coronavirus “isn’t just racist, it’s dangerous and incites discrimination.”
“Viruses don’t have nationalities,” added Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This is racist.”
Dissenting commenters responded by noting that referring to something originating in China as “Chinese” is hardly racist in itself, and that China is not a race anyway. Others pointed out that identifying a strain of virus by its place of origin had a long tradition and that reliable media outlets — and health professionals — had initially called this outbreak the “Wuhan virus.” The critics also pointed out that in 1918 the deadliest influenza epidemic in history was called “the Spanish flu” — and that this wasn’t mean to cast aspersions on Spain.
This last point is the most interesting, but it cuts both ways. The “Spanish flu,” you see, didn’t really start in Spain. Or in Asia, which many believed at the time. That its source was hard to pinpoint underscores the accurate and astute nature of the first half of Rep. Omar’s tweet: viruses certainly do not have nationalities. They don’t discriminate between their human hosts, either. As for the 1918 global pandemic that killed some 50 million people worldwide, it apparently originated right here — in the great American heartland. It didn’t start in a Chinese fish market or Spain or anywhere in Europe. It started in western Kansas, which I’ll write about tomorrow.
The Trump administration backing an anti-US Marxist for a second term as head of the American hemisphere’s multinational security organization.
The State Department is squeezing small Caribbean countries to vote for an anti-American radical for another five-year term as head of the Organization of American States (OAS), diplomatic sources from three countries say.
President Trump addressed the nation last night with an update about the state of the Wuhan flu and his administration’s various initiatives aimed at minimizing its public health and economic impact in this country.
It was a sober speech, clearly aimed at striking a difficult balance between conveying bad news – notably, the pandemic’s spread to continental Europe and, therefore, the need to suspend most air travel from there – with a mix of calming perspective and resolve.
Mr. Trump announced several initiatives aimed at mitigating the hardships being experienced by growing numbers of Americans and their businesses as a result of quarantines, social distancing and other disruptions. Of these, the most promising and least susceptible to abuse – or conversion into some sort of new, permanent and unaffordable entitlement – is a payroll tax cut or tax holiday.
Let’s pray these steps actually help.
This is Frank Gaffney.
MAURA MOYNIHAN, Producer at Riverside Films (Produced American Visionary: The Life of Patrick Moynihan):
Maura’s experiences that have inspired her fight against Communist China
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How are you doing this morning? Take a deep breath. We’ll get through this, step by step, one day at a time.
There was a stretch last night, in less than an hour or so, where President Trump announced we were barring travel to and from Europe starting Friday; Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announced they were infected; Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington announced a staffer in her office was infected; right before the tip-off of a basketball game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder, the players returned to the locker room with little explanation, and then the National Basketball Association announced that the season was being suspended until further notice.
Last night was a long year.
The Storm Arrives
Our leaders, at every level of government, have to make some difficult choices in the days ahead.
Yesterday on The Editors podcast, Michael Brendan Dougherty discussed his recommendation to the superintendent of his children’s schools in Westchester County that the … READ MORE
“Makes an original and compelling case for nationalism . . . A fascinating, erudite—and much-needed—defense of a hallowed idea unfairly under current attack.” — Victor Davis Hanson
BERNIE: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) “is vowing to press ahead with his presidential campaign at least long enough to debate” former Vice President Joe Biden “this weekend, even while acknowledging his deficit in the Democratic race may be insurmountable.” (AP)
RACE FOR THE HOUSE. After analyzing candidate recruitment, district demographics, fundraising, and polling, and conducting interviews with top party strategists, Hotline released the latest rankings of the top 20 most vulnerable seats to watch. These are our first power rankings since the dust of the impeachment trial has settled, and early rounds of state primaries have already set some match-ups for the fall. Topping the list is the seat held by retiring Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX 23), followed by those held by Reps. Kendra Horn (D-OK 05) and Joe Cunningham (D-SC 01). (Hotline reporting)
WARREN: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) “is unlikely to endorse” Sanders “according to several people close to her.” She “is expected to withhold her endorsement from” Sanders “as well as” Biden “at this point, choosing to let the primary play out rather than seek to change its course.” (New York Times)
SENATE POLLING ROUNDUP: Club for Growth PAC released a poll (March 4-5; 500 LVs; +/– 4.4%) of the GOP primary runoff in Alabama that found former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville (R) led former Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R), 49%-45%. (release) In Arizona, a poll (March 3-4; 600 LVs; +/– 4%) conducted by Phoenix-based OH Predictive Insights found retired astronaut Mark Kelly (D) led Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ), 49%-42%, a wider lead than the pollster’s December survey found (47%-44%). (KTAR)
MA SEN: Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-04) alleged Wednesday the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which backs Sen. Ed Markey (D) in the Democratic primary, is blocking his efforts to launch a joint fundraising committee to support other Democratic Senate candidates. (Boston Globe)
VT GOV: Former Gov. Madeleine Kunin (D) endorsed former state Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe (D), “Holcombe’s campaign announced Wednesday.” Holcombe is in a three-way primary against Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (D) and attorney Patrick Winburn (D). Gov. Phil Scott (R) has not yet announced his decision, but is expected to run for reelection. (Bennington Banner)
Hotline released our latest House Power Rankings of the top 20 most vulnerable seats. While candidate fundraising, district demographics, and other factors impacted the rankings, the most important aspect was the candidates themselves. That’s why the races in PA-01 and UT-04 dropped completely off the list after making the top 20 back in September. Those two races represent the biggest recruitment failures for both parties this cycle, as no viable challengers has turned up to take on Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R) or Rep. Ben McAdams (D). The districts should be prime pickup opportunities, but our analysis underscores the simple fact that candidates, above everything else, are still the most important element in winning elections. — Kirk A. Bado
With Americans likely to experience a strained health care system and major lifestyle changes due to coronavirus in the coming weeks, it’s possible that Bernie Sanders’ politics of revolution comes to look more doable or appealing. But more immediately, Joe Biden benefits. While Sanders made his case for not dropping out Wednesday, only briefly touching on coronavirus, Biden has the luxury of not having to address the horse race. His speech today about the outbreak will follow the president’s confusing remarks last night, presenting a clear opportunity for the former vice president to draw a contrast with Trump. And as Americans face uncertainty and worry, Biden has the perfect chance to argue for stability and demonstrate one of the qualities his supporters love the most: his empathy for people facing trying times. — Mini Racker
Fresh Brewed Buzz
A staffer for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) tested positive for COVID-19. The senator closed her office in response. (Washington Post)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a bill to “require all states to offer an option for voters to mail in or drop-off a hand-marked, paper ballot” should 25% of states declare a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 or another national crisis. (release)
“We’re beyond ‘wash your hands’, my brother.” — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to his brother, journalist Chris Cuomo. (CNN)
“‘Got married!’” Rep. Ilhan Oman (D-MN 05) “announced on social media Wednesday evening. Jeremy Slevin, a spokesman for Omar, confirmed that she wed Tim Mynett, a Washington political consultant.” (NBC News)
“The Trump Organization paid bribes, through middlemen, to New York City tax assessors to lower its property tax bills for several Manhattan buildings in the 1980s and 1990s, according to five former tax assessors and city employees as well as a former Trump Organization employee.” (ProPublica)
“[A] small group of senior aides had been pushing Sanders for months to go harder on Biden. The problem: Sanders actually liked him. Personally, they got along better than he ever did with Hillary Clinton, aides have said.” (BuzzFeed)
“Biden’s comeback has comforted lobbyists and their corporate clients who worried a few weeks ago that Sanders might become the nominee. Scott Eckart, a Democratic lobbyist, said he’d spoken with clients in the days before Biden’s South Carolina victory who expressed reluctance to write checks supporting the party and its convention in Milwaukee this summer if Sanders became the nominee. ‘There’s an immense amount of relief,’ Eckart said. ‘Make no mistake.’” (Politico)
A Trump campaign spokesman announced that, “[o]ut of an abundance of caution because of the coronavirus outbreak, the President’s campaign is postponing the Catholics for Trump event scheduled for March 19th in Milwaukee. It will be rescheduled.” (Twitter)
“At the same time” former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) “told national television audiences and local supporters that he did nothing wrong, claiming he was the victim of a witch hunt cooked up by his political enemies, hundreds of pages of evidence made public Tuesday show the congressman was actively obfuscating his role in the campaign finance scandal.” (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Rooster’s Crow
The House meets at 9 a.m. The Senate meets at 9:30 a.m.
Trump meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at 10:50 a.m.
Swizzle Challenge
The world’s last Blockbuster video store is in Bend, OR.
Joe Bookman won yesterday’s challenge. Here’s his challenge: There has been one meeting of an active presidential candidate with a former U.S. president whose presidency ended before the candidate was born. Who was the candidate and who was the former president?
While Trump “was preparing to address the nation on a global pandemic, viewers who may have tuned in early on Fox saw a panel of judges attempting to figure out which celebrity just sang Sir Mix-A-Lot’s ‘Baby Got Back’ from behind a giant pink bear head on The Masked Singer.” It was former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). (Daily Beast)
Chaser…
“The bear puffed out its chest. ‘I’m a very rare sort of bear,’ he replied importantly. ‘There aren’t many of us left where I come from.'” (A Bear Called Paddington)
Because of the ‘fake news” media black-out regarding Roger Stone’s vindictive prosecution by Robert Mueller and the DOJ ,few Americans understand how and why this long-time Trump political advisor and loyalist was convicted Read more…
President Trump’s Rasmussen approval rating increased on Thursday to 48% up a point since Wednesday. This is despite the continued media onslaught over the coronavirus… Read more…
On Wednesday night President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House on the Coronavirus pandemic. President Trump announced a 30 day ban on… Read more…
On Wednesday night President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House on the Coronavirus pandemic. President Trump announced a 30 day ban on… Read more…
Boston-based entrepreneur and inventor of Email Dr. V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai says the coronavirus fear mongering by the Deep State will go down in history as… Read more…
The streets of Caracas were militarized this week by order of the Maduro regime in order to prevent the announced democracy protests. President in charge… Read more…
With the partisan impeachment controversy and a never-ending barrage of Democratic accusations behind him, President Donald Trump can focus on trumpeting all the 2016 campaign… Read more…
Joe Biden turned out a surprising win in Michigan’s Democrat primary this week. Bernie Sanders supporter Michael Moore was not happy about it. He appeared… Read more…
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The decision to suspend tours of the Capitol followed a chaotic cascade of announcements Wednesday, from the World Health Organization labeling COVID-19 a pandemic to Washington, D.C., declaring a state of emergency and barring large-scale gatherings to a congressman’s decision to share “sustained precautionary protocols.” Read More…
OPINION — The message a leader delivers during a crisis few could anticipate matters deeply to the outcome of the crisis. Trust in a leader is earned in those moments, and surrendered just as easily. The message we’ve gotten so far from this president is clear — we have plenty to fear in the coronavirus crisis, including Donald Trump himself. Read More…
Tours of the Capitol are being suspended, in the latest response to the coronavirus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been discussing shutting down Capitol tours but as of Wednesday evening was awaiting confirmation from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, according to two House members. Read More…
President Donald Trump used a rare prime-time address from the Oval Office to announce sweeping new restrictions on travel from Europe while calling on Congress to pass economic stimulus legislation, including his prized payroll tax cut. Read More…
Rep. Jim Himes has spent $100,298 from his leadership political action committee on luxury hotels, transportation and event catering on trips to Vail, Colorado, since 2012. Over that span, the Connecticut Democrat spent $46,630 at the Sonnenalp Hotel and $30,246 at the Four Seasons, using money from his Jobs and Innovation Matter PAC. Read More…
Hours after President Trump slammed New York’s sanctuary policies in his State of the Union speech, his administration clamped down on the state over its “Green Light” law, which allows undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses while blocking federal officials from access to the state’s motor vehicle records. Read More…
Here’s what’s on hold as coronavirus spreads: Coachella. Parts of the Cherry Blossom Festival. James Bond vehicle “No Time to Die” and (even worse) “Peter Rabbit 2.” Here’s what’s not: Reading and binge-watching. We checked in on April’s new releases in the politics-adjacent category, and so far, it’s looking pretty good. Read More…
Unhappy with the Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer joined a group of senior senators in proposing a policy prescription for mitigating its economic impact. Read More…
Biden and Sanders have been forced to re-evaluate their approach to campaigning.
The tours would be suspended through the end of March.
“This is not a financial crisis.”
“The President has decided to cancel his upcoming events in Colorado and Nevada.”
“TikTok is owned by a Chinese company that includes Chinese Communist Party members on its board.”
“We must put politics aside, stop the partisanship, and unify as one nation.”
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March 12 2020
How are you doing this morning? Take a deep breath. We’ll get through this, step by step, one day at a time.
“Makes an original and compelling case for nationalism . . . A fascinating, erudite—and much-needed—defense of a hallowed idea unfairly under current attack.” — Victor Davis Hanson
Episode 6: Going Viral: The Updated… 
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