JUICE - Florida Politics' Juicy Read - 2.20.20 - FL Democrat Rep Gets Bad Rap - Bloomberg Gets Pummeled in Debate - Eagle Lands Big NRCC Designation

JUICE - Florida Politics' Juicy Read - 2.20.20 - FL Democrat Rep Gets Bad Rap - Bloomberg Gets Pummeled in Debate - Eagle Lands Big NRCC Designation

Javier Manjarres
Javier Manjarres
|
February 20, 2020

 

 

Sorry Just Isn’t Enough

Democratic state Rep. Al Jacquet’s apology for calling his primary opponent a “batty boy” or gay man doesn’t cut for Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida’s first gay Latino legislator. Oh, sorry, we can’t use that term, right? So let’s use Smith’s words.

Smith is “the first LGBTQ Latinx legislator.”

It’s not enough that Jacquet stepped down as ranking member of the Rules Committee, because according to Smith, it just isn’t enough.

“No acknowledgemnt (sic) that his actions were homophobic or hurtful. No direct apology to the LGBTQ community or to his constituents. Al Jacquet cleary does not understand the gravity of his words or the harm they cause LGBTQ Floridians. It’s sad really.”- Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith

This is not really an apology according to Rep. Smith:

“In the heat of the moment, I said something I should not have said. I apologize for my words that have offended some of my colleagues”-Rep. Al Jacquet

Gravity of his words? Really? Calling someone gay is doing harm to the gay community? I get the slur, but if he were to have actually used the term "gay" instead, the outcome and backlash from Smith would probably be the same.

Can you imagine if it was a Republican legislator like Rep. Anthony Sabatini or Chris Latvala that use the term?

Democrats would be calling for their heads on a spike!

How many times has Guillermo Smith or any other gay person called another gay person “a queen” or have called a heterosexual person “a breeder” in their lifetime?

Get over it Carlitos. Move on. READ MORE

Wait!!! We almost forgot... Carlitos' head must have exploded after learning that the "bigot" President Trump appointed Ambassador Richard Grenell, an openly gay man, as Acting Director of National Intelligence. OH THE DRAMA!!!

Moving on… Gov. Ron DeSantis has all kinds of things going on:

Love Me Some Fishin’

“I’m pleased to announce that our state’s good conservation practices are allowing us to have a 45-day Gulf red snapper season this year,” said Governor DeSantis. “Gulf red snapper season is always an exciting time for anglers and is just another reason why Florida remains the Fishing Capital of the World.”

Pensacola Love

“Pensacola has worked for years to bring the aviation maintenance and repair industry back to the city like it once was years ago,” said Governor DeSantis. “This investment in Pensacola International Airport’s infrastructure will allow them to support a significant expansion of state-of-the-art hangers and other development so the city can finally reach their goal.”

Veterans Love

"I’m excited to share my administration’s newest veteran-focused initiative: the “Salute Our Soldiers” Military Housing Loan Program for veterans and active duty military personnel throughout the state."- Gov. Ron DeSantis

Automobile Bill (SB 1738)

“Today’s action by the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance Senator Brandes’ Motor Vehicle Dealers legislation is good for Florida consumers. This public policy addresses unfair liability that is placed on motor vehicle dealers and their leasing and rental affiliates, which results in higher insurance costs that negatively impact Florida consumers.

Campaign News

CD 19-

State Rep Byron Donalds (R) told The Floridian that his opponents should NOT underestimate his fundraising prowess and should worry more about how deep and loyal their current campaign support really is.

One of Donald's opponents, Dr. William Figlesthaler, just announced that former State Senator Garrett Richter has jumped on board his congressional campaign.

"Most of the candidates are career-politicians looking for a taxpayer paid promotion, hardly something our nation’s founders had in mind."- Sen. Garrett Richter

Another CD 19 congressional candidate, Rep. Dane Eagle, has just landed in pretty distinct company, as the NRCC has slapped "Contender" status on him. READ MORE

Visit The Floridian

 


 “Nevada Democratic Debate Starts Off With Rivals Attacking Bloomberg” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Right out of the gate, Mike Bloomberg faced a barrage of attacks from all sides Wednesday night in his first Democratic presidential debate debut in Las Vegas. The former New York City mayor made a late entry into the race in November has surged in polls thanks to his unprecedented spending. In the past three months, Bloomberg has spent over $340 million of his own money on a tidal wave of television and social media ads across the country. Sen. Bernie Sanders was given the first chance to whack Bloomberg during the opening question when asked how his “revolution” is a better bet to defeat President Trump. The Democratic Socialist used the question to lash out at Bloomberg’s “outrageous” policing practice during his tenure as mayor would suppress turnout among minorities. “In order to beat Donald Trump we’re going to need the largest voter turnout in the history of the United States,” Sanders said. “Mr. Bloomberg had policies in New York City of stop and frisk, which went after African-American and Latino people in an outrageous way. That is not a way you’re going to grow voter turnout.” Bloomberg was given the chance to respond, immediately hit Sanders on his health care plan, saying the country can’t threaten to take away health care for 160 million Americans. “I don’t think there’s any chance of the senator beating President Trump,” Bloomberg responded. You don’t start out by saying I’ve got 160 million people I’m going to take away the insurance plan that they love. And if he goes and is the candidate, we will have Donald Trump for another four years.”

“House Speaker Oliva Makes Health Care a top Priority” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva (R) is receiving praise today from the Floridians Unite for Health Care Coalition after he recognized Donna Bixler as the Nurse Practitioner of the Day. A family nurse practitioner who is affilitated with the Internal Medicine division at Southern Medical Group in Tallahassee, Florida, Bixler has been a practicing nurse since 1998. In a statement, she thanked House Speaker Oliva, saying that she is “proud to follow in the footsteps of Drs. Vicky Stone-Gale and Doreen Cassarino, who also served as Nurse Practitioner of the Day in the Legislative Clinic this session.” She commented that “the legislation by Representative Cary Pigman (R) – House Bill 607 p is imperative to increasing access to safe and quality health care in Florida, especially in rural areas of the state.” And, she expressed that she wanted to “thank Speaker Oliva and Representative Pigman for their efforts,” stating that she hopes “our elected leaders support this public policy that will give APRNs the opportunity to practice to our full potential and help more Floridians with their health care needs.” Nicole Livanos, the senior associate in state advocacy and legislative affairs for National Council of State Boards of Nursing and a spokesperson for the Floridians Unite for Health Care coalition, also released a statement, asserting that “advancing the state of health care is continually a big issue in Florida and across the nation.”

“Al Jacquet apologizes for gay slur, but is he a homophobe?” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Democratic state Rep. Al Jacquet has apologized for this using an anti-gay slur directed at his 2020 primary opponent, Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Omari Hardy. Jacquet, who is from the Netherlands Antilles, referred to Hardy as “The batty boy, union boy.” First of all, Hardy is not gay, so the remark was off-base, not to mention offensive. “I hear they got ‘Sleepy Hardy.’ That’s all good. That’s the union boy. The batty boy, union boy.”- Rep. Al Jacquet Apparently, a “batty boy” is a Caribbean term for gay man. But while Jacquet was right to apologize for using the offensive term, has anyone stopped to think about how widespread and accepted that term, like many other offensive terms used, could be in today’s society? We are not making an excuse for Jacquet, but how often have you heard someone say, “oh that’s so gay” to put someone or something down?” In Latin America, the use of the term “maricon” is very prevalent. The term is used in both derogatory and joking manner similar to “that’s so gay.” Just the other day one of my Cuban-American friends joked with me, asking me to stop harassing him over the amount of hair dye he uses to cover up the grey. “Oye, pare esa mariconeria conmigo,” said the friend. The Urban Dictionary gives their take or definition of the “mariconeria” term. “mariconeria” : exaggerated and highly unnecessary political correctness. The literal translation is ‘gayness,’ although the term is not a direct affront to an individual’s sexual orientation.

“Fried takes controversial trip to Nevada amidst criticism of playing politics” by The Capitolist’s Jordan Kirkland – Good or bad, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has been a hot topic in Florida’s political scene as of late. The lone Democrat in Florida’s cabinet has been the focal point for many Republicans around the state, as the marijuana advocate continues to prove that she’s more concerned with her image than her record helping Floridians. Fried has faced a growing amount of criticism as of late, in part for her starring role in “Stickergate.” Last year, Fried drew the ire of many Republicans when she plastered her face on stickers applied to gas pumps in what Republicans say was a move to use taxpayer dollars to promote herself and not the office she holds. The move caused GOP leaders to pass a budget implementing bill (SB 2502) last session to limit stickers affixed to gas pumps to only “a combination of lettering, numbering, words, or the department logo. Fried’s department, however, failed to remove the stickers in time, prompting House Republicans to put forth a budget proposal this legislative session that would’ve withheld $19.7 million from Agriculture Department programs and into reserves if she failed to put together a plan to remove the stickers. This week, “Stickergate” reached its climax, with some new, legally compliant stickers starting to replace the ones that featured Fried. If that’s not enough, Fried still has looming questions on her net worth and increase of cash in her checking account that somehow ballooned by more than $166,000 while she was campaigning in 2018, and only earned half that from her lobbying business. The stories were first reported by The Capitolist after Fried made numerous errors and omissions on her legally required annual financial disclosure.

“DeSantis announces new housing initiative to assist veterans in buying homes” by The Capitolist’s On Wednesday, Governor Ron DeSantis arrived at the University of West Florida to announced a new initiative that aims to assist veterans in purchasing houses after they’ve completed their service. The new program, known as the “Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program” will seek to help active duty veterans transition by offering them offering up to $8 million in a variety of down payment and closing cost assistance, coupled with low-interest rate first mortgages. Administered by the Florida Housing, the plan will also provide options for down payments and closing cost assistance that will be forgivable after five years. “I’m excited to announce my administration’s newest veteran-focused initiative: the “Salute Our Soldiers” Military Housing Loan Program for veterans and active duty military personnel throughout the state,” DeSantis said. “To start, Florida Housing will set aside funds to assist over 1,000 veterans and active duty military members by making the homebuying process easier and more affordable. More veterans calling Florida home is a great thing for all involved and we look forward to the positive impacts this program will have on the lives of our veterans and the communities in which they live.” The new housing loan assistance program is just the latest policy by the governor to help promote and assist Florida veterans. DeSantis has launched several initiatives in the past, including ones that deal with workforce opportunities and suicide reduction. All fall under a much larger campaign known as The Forward March initiative which aims to unite the combined energy and resources of Florida’s state agencies, veterans’ service organizations, private partners and local communities to make it easier for veterans to find the information they need. Florida is currently home to 1.5 million veterans — third largest in the U.S., behind California and Texas. The program will be available starting March 2, 2020.

“Flu a bigger worry in Florida than Coronavirus” by News Service of Florida – The flu remains a far deadlier illness to worry about in Florida than the coronavirus, state lawmakers were told on Tuesday. While the coronavirus that started in China has spawned massive media attention — and reams of misinformation — Tampa General Hospital physician and University of South Florida faculty member John Sinnott said the state has more pressing health risks right now. “Influenza is the elephant in the room no one is talking about,” Sinnott told members of the Senate Health Policy Committee. “It’s killing people.” The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had received reports of more than 31 million cases of influenza or influenza-type illnesses nationally between October and the first two weeks of February, Sinnott said. More than 350,000 people have been hospitalized and there have been more than 25,000 deaths. Meanwhile, the coronavirus, or COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China on Dec. 31. The World Health Organization reported 73,424 cases of the virus and 1,873 deaths as of Tuesday. That includes 15 cases in the United States, excluding 14 Americans who were evacuated Monday from a Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been docked in Japan. Florida has not had any confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to state health officials. “The flu is an immediate threat to Florida’s population,” Sinnott said. “Influenza is here, and it’s a problem. We don’t want to get distracted with (the coronavirus) when we have something quite serious going on here.” Sinnott told senators that the biggest challenges with the coronavirus are a lack of information coupled with “fake news.” “We really don’t have all the information we want,” he said. For instance, facing budget restraints, Sinnott said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention three years ago closed its Office of Pandemic Response and reduced its international presence from 49 countries to 10. And in November, a program dubbed PREDICT, which focused its efforts on finding dangerous animal viruses that could infect humans, was closed, Sinnott said.

“Florida Can’t Bar Felons From Voting Over Unpaid Fees, Panel Rules” by Courthouse News Network’s Alex Pickett – Florida cannot deny the right to vote for felons unable to pay restitution or fines, the 11th Circuit ruled Wednesday in a limited decision. The 78-page opinion by the Atlanta-based appeals court upheld a Tallahassee federal judge’s injunction halting the implementation of Senate Bill 7066, which required felons to pay all restitution, fines and fees before they are eligible to vote. Republican lawmakers passed the controversial measure last year, just months after Florida voters overwhelming approved Amendment 4, a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to most felons “after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation.” The amendment did not mention restitution or fines. The unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel, however, only applies to the 17 plaintiffs in the case and still leaves an estimated 1.4 million Florida felons in limbo. The underlying case, Jones v. DeSantis, is set to go to trial in April after Florida’s March primary elections. The legal battle could also head to the U.S. Supreme Court, but perhaps not in time for the November presidential election. After hearing oral arguments three weeks ago, the 11th Circuit panel found Wednesday that the financial requirements of SB 7066 violate the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. “The long and short of it is that once a state provides an avenue to ending the punishment of disenfranchisement — as the voters of Florida plainly did — it must do so consonant with the principles of equal protection and it may not erect a wealth barrier absent a justification sufficient to overcome heightened scrutiny,” the unsigned ruling states. The communications director for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said the state plans to appeal the injunction. “We disagree with the ruling,” Helen Ferre said in a statement. “We are going to seek en banc review by the full court.”

“Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony helps save life of unconscious motorist” by Channel 10 News’ David Dwork – Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony is being hailed as a hero after acting quickly to save a motorist's life. Sheriff Tony was on his way home from work early Tuesday evening, stopped at a red light in Coral Springs. Once the light turned green, the car in front of Sheriff Tony did not move. The motorist did not respond when Sheriff Tony honked his horn. Tony said he felt something was wrong and began to approach the vehicle, quickly realizing that the driver was unconscious. "I immediately reached across the driver and shifted the transmission into the park position. I checked the driver’s pulse which yielded a negative result. The driver wasn’t breathing and had no pulse," Tony said. He then proceeded to perform CPR on the driver, who began to breathe and regained a faint pulse. "While waiting for EMS, I continued to monitor the driver’s condition," Tony said. "I noticed he once again stopped breathing, and I couldn’t find a pulse. Per CPR training protocols, I initiated CPR again. Several more cycles were performed, and the driver started breathing again." Rescue workers arrived and took the motorist to Broward Health Coral Springs. He was treated and later released.

“City of Miami mayor hires former Congressman Carlos Curbelo as adviser” by Channel 10 News’ Amanda Batchelor – City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has hired former U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo as an adviser, his office confirmed Wednesday. According to a news release issued by Suarez’s office, the mayor hired the Jones Walker law firm to support the mayor’s office as it gets ready to welcome a new city manager. The former Republican congressman will lead the Jones Walker team, advising the mayor on various issues, including staff decisions. “As I get ready to propose a new City Manager to the commission and to fill other key vacancies at City Hall, I will be fortunate to count on the advice and counsel of Congressman Curbelo and the rest of the team,” Suarez said in a statement. “I have known Carlos for many years, and I am confident he will contribute a fresh perspective and new ideas to my office. The naming of a new leader for the city’s administration is an opportunity to revitalize and strengthen our government. Our residents deserve no less.” Curbelo served in Congress from 2015 to 2019 and also served on the Miami-Dade County School Board from 2010 to 2015.

 

 “Trump Accuses ‘Mini Mike’ Bloomberg of ‘Illegally Buying’ Democratic Nomination” by Hispolitica’s Mona Salama – President Trump accused billionaire Mike Bloomberg in a tweet of trying to “illegally” buy the Democratic nomination, claiming he is using his wealth as a “payoff” in buying support from his endorsers. “What Mini Mike is doing is nothing less than a large scale illegal campaign contribution. He is ‘spreading’ money all over the place, only to have recipients of his cash payments, many former opponents, happily joining or supporting his campaign. Isn’t that called a payoff?” Trump tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “Mini is illegally buying the Democrat Nomination,” Trump added, repeating his claim on how the Democratic Party is trying to take the election away from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) again. “They are taking it away from Bernie again. Mini Mike, Major Party Nominations are not for sale! Good luck in the debate tomorrow night and remember, no standing on boxes!” Trump’s tweet remarks come as earlier he spoke with reporters before boarding Air Force One for his four-day west coast swing. He was asked if he had any advice for Bloomberg as he makes his first debate appearance on Wednesday. “No, he doesn’t need that kind of advice. He’s been doing it for a long time,” Trump answered. “It just seems unfair what’s happening to Bernie Sanders, to be honest with you. I watched it happen four years ago. And always be careful what you wish for, and I’m not wishing for anything. Whoever it is, I’ll be very happy.” He added, “But it seems that Bernie Sanders and that whole big section of the Democratic Party — or, as I call it, the ‘Democrat Party,’ which is really the correct name — it seems they’re being taken advantage of like they were four years ago, to me.”

“Nevada Democratic Debate Starts Off With Rivals Attacking Bloomberg” by Hispolitica’s Mona Salama – Right out of the gate, Mike Bloomberg faced a barrage of attacks from all sides Wednesday night in his first Democratic presidential debate debut in Las Vegas. The former New York City mayor made a late entry into the race in November has surged in polls thanks to his unprecedented spending. In the past three months, Bloomberg has spent over $340 million of his own money on a tidal wave of television and social media ads across the country. Sen. Bernie Sanders was given the first chance to whack Bloomberg during the opening question when asked how his “revolution” is a better bet to defeat President Trump. The Democratic Socialist used the question to lash out at Bloomberg’s “outrageous” policing practice during his tenure as mayor would suppress turnout among minorities. “In order to beat Donald Trump we’re going to need the largest voter turnout in the history of the United States,” Sanders said. “Mr. Bloomberg had policies in New York City of stop and frisk, which went after African-American and Latino people in an outrageous way. That is not a way you’re going to grow voter turnout.” Bloomberg was given the chance to respond, immediately hit Sanders on his health care plan, saying the country can’t threaten to take away health care for 160 million Americans. “I don’t think there’s any chance of the senator beating President Trump,” Bloomberg responded. You don’t start out by saying I’ve got 160 million people I’m going to take away the insurance plan that they love. And if he goes and is the candidate, we will have Donald Trump for another four years.”

“McSally New Ad Ties Democratic Challenger to Sanders” by Hispolitica’s Mona Salama – Sen. Martha McSally in a new ad released Tuesday tied her Democratic challenger Mark Kelly to Democratic Socialist presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as “too liberal for Arizona.” “First Mark Kelly said he would have voted to overturn the election and remove Trump from office, now Kelly says he would support Bernie Sanders,” the narrator says in the 30-second ad titled ‘Bernie Bro.’ “Kelly and Sanders, too liberal for Arizona.” Last week, Kelly gave three different answers when asked by Arizona’s Family if Sanders hypothetical won the Democratic nomination, would he support one “who describes himself as a Democratic Socialist.” “Well, he’s got to win first,” Kelly responded. “And when we get there we’ll see, how was this campaign conducted? And at some point, and at some point in the future I’ll make a decision.” However, Kelly was asked by a local newspaper the same question, where he responded: “I will ultimately support who the nominee is of the Democratic Party, that’s clear.” When asked to explain the difference between the two comments, a campaign spokesman said Kelly’s “intention” will support the Democratic nominee. In a statement announcing the ad, McSally campaign manager said a vote for Kelly is a “vote for Bernie Sanders socialist policies.” “Kelly is quickly making the choice in this election very clear – a vote for Kelly is a vote for the Bernie Sanders socialist policies of government takeover of healthcare, open borders, and massive tax hikes on the middle class,” McSally campaign manager Dylan Lefler said in a statement announcing the ad. “Mark Kelly will be Sanders 51st vote in the Senate.”

“Pennsylvania Roman Catholic diocese files for bankruptcy after $12M in sex-abuse settlements” by Fox News’ Brie Stimson – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, filed for bankruptcy Wednesday, months after admitting it paid more than $12 million to victims sexually abused by their clerics as children. The filing said the diocese “faces potentially significant exposure from remaining claimants,” which is estimated to be at least 200 more than the 111 cases it has already settled. The bankruptcy filing also claimed it has liabilities between $50 million and $100 million, with assets of less than $10 million. “We have no other path forward to ensure the future of our diocese than reorganization bankruptcy,” Bishop Ronald Gainer said. Bankruptcy could shield the diocese from more claims, lawyer Ben Andreozzi said. “From the day they file bankruptcy, moving on into the future if someone did not present their claim in that time frame, it is forever exhausted,” he said. Andreozzi has settled about 20 claims against the diocese. The Harrisburg diocese opened a temporary settlement program after a landmark grand jury report accused it and five other dioceses in Pennsylvania of covering up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children over much of the past century. A proposed amendment in the state legislature that would allow adult victims now too old to sue the diocese for covering up their sexual abuse would have to be passed by lawmakers in the 2021-22 legislative session before needing approval by voters in a statewide referendum.

“Mike Bloomberg gets badly roughed up in debate that tests his unconventional campaign” by CNN’s Stephen Collinson – Mike Bloomberg's rivals tore into his claim to be the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in November by branding him as a misogynistic, Obamacare-hating, soft-on-Wall-Street bully -- basically the rough equivalent of that other New York billionaire. The question now is whether the torching that unfolded after Bloomberg's first turn on the debate stage in Las Vegas will matter more than the billions of advertising dollars he's doling out to purchase a poll surge and saturate the airwaves with a positive image of himself.

The former New York mayor knew he'd face fierce heat Wednesday night from rivals who resent his stunning spending spree and his failure to take part in the first four nominating contests. Bloomberg tried to keep his focus on his central argument of the night: That the presidency is a management job, and he is a proven manager, unlike Trump. But nothing could prepare him for the welcome that materialized and that left him struggling to counter attacks on his political and personal vulnerabilities. "I'd like to talk about who we're running against -- a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians," Sen. Elizabeth Warren said moments into the clash. "And no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump, I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg," said Warren, who drew gasps from the audience and debated with the desperation of a candidate fighting to save her campaign. Rivals hit Bloomberg on claims he used sexist language in a workplace hostile toward women, over some of his negative comments on Obamacare, over his implementation of the controversial stop and frisk policing tactic, and for a campaign that appears to be trying to force other moderates to step aside.

“White House assembles team of advisers to guide clemency process as Trump considers more pardons” by Washington Posts’ Toluse Olorunnipa, Josh Dawsey and Neena Satija – The White House is moving to take more direct control over pardons and commutations, with President Trump aiming to limit the role of the Justice Department in the clemency process as he weighs a flurry of additional pardon announcements, according to people familiar with the matter. Trump, who granted clemency Tuesday to a group of 11 people that included several political allies and supporters, has assembled a team of advisers to recommend and vet candidates for pardons, according to several people with knowledge of the matter who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The group, essentially an informal task force of at least a half-dozen presidential allies, has been meeting since late last year to discuss a revamped pardon system in the White House. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, is taking a leading role in the new clemency initiative and has supported the idea of putting the White House more directly in control of the process that in past administrations has been housed in the Justice Department, officials said. Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general who served on Trump’s impeachment defense team, is also playing a significant role, vetting applications for potential pardon recipients. Kushner has personally reviewed applications with White House lawyers before presenting them to Trump for final approval, according to two senior administration officials. Trump, who prefers granting clemency to people with compelling personal stories or lengthy sentences, is inclined to grant more pardons before facing voters in November, one official said. “He likes doing them,” the official said, adding that the president was unfazed by criticism over his decision to grant clemency, including to former Illinois governor Rod R. Blagojevich (D) and financier Michael Milken.

“Warren unloads on Bloomberg: 'A billionaire who calls women fat broads'” by Fox News’ Andrew O'Reilly – Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., didn’t waste any time during Wednesday night’s Democratic debate in attacking the new candidate on the stage, ripping former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his past comments on women and for using his wealth to surge in the 2020 presidential race. “I’d like to talk about who we’re running against,” Warren said, standing directly next to Bloomberg on stage in Las Vegas. “A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians, and no I’m not talking about Donald Trump, I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg.” Warren added: “Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another.” Warren's comments were in reference to claims made in a book by journalist Eleanor Randolph entitled “The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg” that was released last year. The section of the book Warren was referring to was a comment Bloomberg allegedly made about the British royal family. “The [British] Royal family -- what a bunch of misfits -- a gay, an architect, that horsey faced lesbian, and a kid who gave up Koo Stark for some fat broad,” Bloomberg purportedly said, according to the book. Warren’s attack was only the beginning of the fusillade leveled against the billionaire former mayor, who got hit for New York City’s stop-and-frisk policing policy during his tenure in office, his personal wealth and his stance on health insurance.

“How Bernie Sanders became a millionaire” by CNN’s Gregory Krieg, Anna Bahney and Ryan Nobles – Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, came under fire on Wednesday over the wealth he's accumulated since his first presidential run in 2016.

Sanders in 2019 released a decade of tax returns that provided new insight into how he became a millionaire between his two presidential runs. According to returns provided by his campaign in April 2019, Sanders and wife Jane's bottom line jumped from $240,622 in 2015, the year he launched his first White House bid, to $1,073,333 a year later, as the once obscure lawmaker became a political sensation on the left and a bestselling author with royalties pouring in. Since that first run, Sanders and his wife made a total of more than $2.79 million, putting them in the category of the super-rich. Sanders in a statement said last year the returns "show that our family has been very fortunate." "I consider paying more in taxes as my income rose to be both an obligation and an investment in our country," he added. "I will continue to fight to make our tax system more progressive so that our country has the resources to guarantee the American Dream to all people. "The records show Sanders' growing income and confirmed his status as a millionaire, largely on the strength of proceeds from book sales, including the bestselling "Where We Go From Here," published with Macmillan in 2018.Sanders reported a total 2018 family income of $566,421 -- $382,920 of which came from writing and royalties. The documents showed he paid $137,573 in federal taxes in 2018 and owed $8,267 in taxes for the year. Sanders reported paying a 26% effective tax rate on his adjusted gross income. The couple reported donating $18,950 to charity. Sanders last year made $110 in music royalties, presumably for his 1987 folk album, "We Shall Overcome," and an additional $1,810 from his 1997 memoir, "Outsider in the House," which was published by Verso. He was paid and additional $391,000 for his books.

“Buttigieg suggests that ‘maybe’ Bloomberg ‘should step aside’ over campaign memo” by Fox News’ Peter Doocy, Paul Steinhauser – Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg joined 2020 nomination rival Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota in slamming a memo by Michael Bloomberg's campaign that called for Buttigieg, Klobuchar and former Vice President Joe Biden to drop out of the race so Democrats could consolidate around the former New York City mayor as the moderate alternative to populist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. “If he thinks there’s gotta be one alternative to Bernie Sanders, I suppose we could find common ground on that. Maybe he should step aside and the person who has the most delegates move on,” Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Ind., told Fox News in the spin room following Wednesday night’s prime time Democratic debate in Nevada. The Bloomberg campaign memo emphasized that “if Biden, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar remain in the race despite having no path to appreciably collecting delegates on Super Tuesday (and beyond), they will propel Sanders to a seemingly insurmountable delegate lead by siphoning votes away from [Bloomberg].” Sanders is soaring in the polls after basically tying Buttigieg in the Iowa caucuses and winning last week’s New Hampshire primary. Biden – the onetime unrivaled front-runner in the race – has seen his poll numbers swoon after disappointing fourth- and fifth-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. The memo was released hours before Bloomberg faced off against the Democratic White House rivals for the first time. Taking aim at the billionaire business and media mogul during the debate, Klobuchar insisted she would not “step aside.”

“Judge in Roger Stone Trial Confronts a High-Pressure Decision” by New York Times’ Sharon LaFraniere – Amy Berman Jackson is no stranger to working under pressure. As a federal prosecutor three decades ago, she was in the final hours of a momentous murder trial when prospective jurors for her next trial — an armed robbery case against three defendants — showed up in the same courthouse. Rather than delay that case, she broke away from the murder trial long enough to pick the jury for it. Then she returned to deliver her closing argument against the murder defendant. And while those jurors weighed their verdict, she delivered her opening statement about why the armed robbery defendants should be convicted. All before lunch. Now a federal judge in Washington, Ms. Jackson faces another high-stakes morning on Thursday when she sentences Roger J. Stone Jr., President Trump’s longtime friend and former campaign adviser, for obstructing a congressional investigation. Mr. Trump and his allies have already denounced Mr. Stone’s prosecution as a vendetta and attacked Judge Jackson as biased, and the case is at the center of a Justice Department storm over fears of political interference. The invective is only likely to grow should she send Mr. Stone to prison, as expected. She seems unlikely to be ruffled. The judge has already faced public attacks and threats over her handling of other cases against Mr. Trump’s associates with the same composure she showed in the courtroom decades ago. “No judge should have to face this kind of pressure,” said Nancy Gertner, a Harvard Law School professor and former federal judge. She described Mr. Trump’s criticism of Judge Jackson as “preposterous.”


President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump Mini Mike Bloomberg’s debate performance tonight was perhaps the worst in the history of debates, and there have been some really bad ones. He was stumbling, bumbling and grossly incompetent. If this doesn’t knock him out of the race, nothing will. Not so easy to do what I did!

Adam Schiff @RepAdamSchiff - Many migrant children have suffered unimaginable trauma. We have a duty to care for them. Instead, the Trump Administration is using their therapy sessions as a weapon against them in court. This is a truly monstrous abuse of patient privacy and basic decency.

 

 

 

 

Marco Rubio @marcorubio - #Rosneft has singlehandedly helped #MaduroRegime steal the resources of #Venezuela to fund the corruption that holds the regime together. These new sanctions prove pressure will only increase until democracy is restored.

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell @RepDMP - In Florida, heart disease accounts for 2 out of 10 deaths & is the number one killer of women. Disparities continue to persist when it comes to symptom recognition & treatment times for women experiencing cardiac events. This #HeartMonth we #GoRedForWomenhto raise awareness!

 

Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets - When the people we rely on for care in hospitals can’t afford it themselves, something is seriously wrong. We must continue to oppose the endless Republican assaults on affordable health care.

Matt Gaetz @mattgaetz - Fifty years ago a gay man or woman couldn’t work in the intelligence community. Today President Trump is appointing an openly gay man to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Congratulations, Ambassador @RichardGrenell

Ron DeSantis @GovRonDeSantis - Today, @MyFWC approved a 45-day Gulf Red #Snapper Season from June 11th-25th for Gulf state and federal waters. Gulf red snapper season is an exciting time for anglers and is just another reason why Florida remains the Fishing Capital of the World.

Rep. Carlos G Smith @CarlosGSmith - If @MikeBloomberg says he is “giving it all away” he use his billions to help Florida’s returning citizens pay fines and fees so they can have their right to VOTE back! You can donate here, Mike!

Chip LaMarca @ChipLaMarca - Sadly Broward County didn’t do as well as the rest of the state, but this is good news for the rest of the state of Florida. With registration deadline passed, Republicans add more voters in Florida than Democrats

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Javier Manjarres

Javier Manjarres

Javier Manjarres is a nationally renowned award-winning political journalist and Publisher of Floridianpress.com, Hispolitica.com, shark-tank.com, and Texaspolitics.com He enjoys traveling, playing soccer, mixed martial arts, weight-lifting, swimming, and biking. Javier is also a political consultant and has also authored "BROWN PEOPLE," which is a book about Hispanic Politics. Follow on Twitter: @JavManjarres Email him at Diversenewmedia@gmail.com

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