The fat lady has sung, and just like that, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) has bowed out of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race. Money, as it always is, was the problem for the bay area congressman.
At least he got out early, and not dragged his family and supporters through the summer knowing that his campaign was dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren reported raising $19.1 million this quarter, keeping her fundraising efforts almost at par with Sen. Kamala Harris, VP, Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
But as the campaign season rolls on, Democratic pollsters like Doug Schoen believe defeating Trump could be out of reach for Democrats. Trump approval numbers are surging, and the economy continues to boom.
"Rep. Waltz Comments on Losharik Submarine Fire" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina
Russians embarrassed their 'spy' sub had a mishap, Putin praised those mariners that died in the accident.
"Democrats gear up Obamacare fight in federal court" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
Republicans dropped the ball on this issue in 2018. Will they do it again in 2020?
"Scott shames Democrats who support Maduro," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
Sen. Scott continues is "daily dump" on the murderous Maduro regime in Venezuela
"U.S. Attorney Holds Conference on Epstein Case," by the Floridian's Daniel Molina
More indictments are excepted in this growing case. Elected officials beware
"Wasserman Schultz’s call for “justice” answered, pedophile Epstein arrested," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
This issue is not about political affiliation or allegiance. Whoever was involved needs to hang.
"Rep. Brian Mast called “traitor” by GOP activists," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
Mast is feeling the heat at home. Activist have turned on him over his support for a ban on assault weapons.
“Betsy Ross Flag” Incites War of Words," by The Floridian's Daniel Molina
A recent controversy involved the use of the Betsy Ross flag for aNike shoe design.
In response, Colin Kaepernickvoiced his disapproval of Nike’s use of the flag; therefore, Nike dropped the release of the shoe altogether.
"Amash Exits GOP, Trump Responds," by The Floridian's Daniel Molina
ustin Amash, a harsh critic ofPresident Trump, announced onIndependence Day that he was leaving the Republican Party.
"Trump highlights environment accomplishments in Florida," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres
As Democrats continue to vet their 2020 presidential candidates, Republicans and President Trump don’t appear to be getting tired of “winning” as the focus continues to be highlighting the president’s economic accomplishments.
"FL Hepatitis cases continue to climb," by News Service of Florida
The number of hepatitis A cases reported to the state Department of Health continues to rise, with the latest data showing that 82 cases were reported between June 30 and July 6. In all, Florida has had 1,811 cases this year, which is more than the total number of cases reported in all of 2018, according to state health officials.
"Democrats say new law resolves ballot signature fight," by News Service of Florida
This fight is over when the Democrats figured it all out and decided the law was good enough.
Gov. Ron DeSantis says his office is "actively monitoring" a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that could hit Florida's already battered Gulf Coast.
AG Commissioner Nikki Fried continues to push her support for Hemp and just penned an op-ed in the Washington Post doing just that.
AG Ashley Moody is wishing her fellow cabinet member a Happy 6th month anniversary.
President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump
India has long had a field day putting Tariffs on American products. No longer acceptable!
Nancy Pelosi @SpeakerPelosi
.@SecretaryAcosta must step down. As US Attorney, he engaged in an unconscionable agreement w/ Jeffrey Epstein kept secret from courageous, young victims preventing them from seeking justice. This was known by@POTUS when he appointed him to the cabinet. #AcostaResign
"Thousands of Venezuelans killed by Maduro's security forces, says report," by Telemundo
Last year, more than 5,000 Venezuelans were killed during the operations of Nicolás Maduro's government security forces.
The official records indicate that these were cases in which there was "resistance to authority", but the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations Organization, Michelle Bachelet, said in her report that she presented this Thursday that it was a "surprisingly high" number of extrajudicial executions.
Bachelet's report on the political situation and violence in the Caribbean country over the past 18 months was based on more than 550 interviews with human rights defenders, victims and witnesses, among other sources, reported the news agency The Associated Press .
In addition, Bachelet and his team met 160 times with representatives of the State and other interested parties. The former socialist president of Chile also met with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last month.
In total, in 2018 the Venezuelan authorities registered 5,287 murders during the security operations , which were classified as cases of "resistance to authority", plus another 1,569 so far this year until May 19.
The report also cited the figures collected by the independent Observatory of Violence in Venezuela of at least 7,523 murders of that type last year, and another 2,124 from January to May of this year.
"The incidence of alleged extrajudicial executions by security forces, particularly the Special Forces (FAES), in the context of security operations has been unusually high," said Bachelet's office.
The interviewees systematically referred to FAES as "death squad" or "extermination group". And non-governmental organizations blamed the FAES for hundreds of murders.
Among the more than 20 recommendations on issues such as ensuring the freedom of the media and providing adequate medical attention, he called for the disarmament and dissolution of pro-government armed groups known as 'collectives'.
The report of an impartial observer such as the UN is carried out in a circumstance of division among the international community. More than 50 countries, including the United States, have ignored Maduro as the legitimate ruler, and instead have recognized the interim mandate of the president of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó .
However, the transition has not taken place and, in fact, Maduro has remained in power.
Maduro's reaction was to criticize the report, calling it impartial and accusing him of presenting a "distorted version" of the real conditions.
"There are innumerable inaccuracies, errors, facts taken out of context and false claims," he said.
Venezuelan officials insisted that the report ignored United Nations observers' visits in March to prisons, hospitals, public housing programs and distribution centers for medicines and food, and said that "it omits the achievements in its entirety. and advances "for the country in human rights.
The UN estimates that more than 4 million Venezuelans have emigrated from the country because of the economic, social and political crisis. Most have fled to the neighboring countries of Colombia, Brazil and Peru, where their incorporation has posed severe challenges .
The report highlighted the issues of the Venezuelan crisis: the effects of international sanctions against the Maduro government, a precarious health care system, growing diseases, food shortages and the tensions caused by uncontrolled inflation.
He also addressed the repression of political opponents, arbitrary arrests and cases of torture, including electric shocks, asphyxiation with plastic bags and water on the face, and sexual violence.
"We have the commitment of the government to work with us to solve some of the most thorny problems, including the use of torture and access to justice, and allow us full access to detention centers," Bachelet said in a statement.
" We should all agree that all Venezuelans deserve a better life , without fear and with access to food, water, medical care, housing and other basic human needs," he added.
Tamara Taraciuk Broner, principal investigator for the Americas at the human rights advocacy organization Human Rights Watch , praised the report for exposing human rights violations such as excessive use of force, torture and extrajudicial killings.
But he said he had failed to request a commission to investigate the violations and urged Bachelet to clearly establish the government's responsibility in deepening the humanitarian crisis, reported The Associated Pres.
Bachelet is scheduled to present her report on Friday to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where Venezuela will have the right to respond.
THE REPUBLICAN
Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz
Matt Gaetz Retweeted POLITICO
I can confirm the President is a germaphobe.
THE DEMOCRAT
Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets
Trump continues to cavort with and uplift anti-Semites.
3 BSO deputies charged in rough arrest of teen by WPLG 10
Three Broward Sheriff's Office deputies have been charged in connection with the rough arrest of Delucca Rolle, 15, in April, Broward County State Attorney Michael J. Satz announced Wednesday.
Sgt. Gregory LaCerra, 51, is charged with two counts of battery on suspicion of spraying Rolle in the face with pepper spray April 18 and throwing him to the pavement outside a McDonald's. He was also charged with one count of falsifying records and one count of conspiracy to falsify records, prosecutors said...
Joe Biden still leads by 12.4 points in the latest RCP average of polls, but Kamala Harris is right on his heels in second place followed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg
