It would be interesting to know the precise moment that California Sen. Kamala Harris realized that she would not win the presidency, at least not in 2020. If it’s not already occurred, it implies a state of denial. And if it has, one wonders why she’s continuing a campaign that...
Attacking Trump and Billionaires, Sanders Draws Thousands in Fresno
In his second day of a California weekend swing, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders stopped at Fresno City College, hitting the high notes of his populist campaign. The U.S. Senator from Vermont attacked President Donald Trump. "We must defeat the most dangerous president in the history of this country," Sanders...
AP Exclusive: Steyer Aide Offered Money for Endorsements
DES MOINES, Iowa — A top aide to Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer in Iowa privately offered campaign contributions to local politicians in exchange for endorsing his White House bid, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the conversations. The overtures from Pat Murphy, a former state House speaker...
From Toast of Town to Toxic: Facebook CEO on Outs With Dems
WASHINGTON — Mark Zuckerberg's social network in Washington is shrinking. Bipartisan hostility against Facebook has been building for months, fueled by a series of privacy scandals, the site's role in Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign and accusations that Facebook crushes competitors. Now, with the 2020 elections approaching, Democrats...
2 Florida Men Tied to Giuliani Arrested on Campaign Charges
WASHINGTON — Two Florida businessmen tied to President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani have been arrested on campaign finance violations resulting from a $325,000 donation to a political action committee supporting Trump's reelection. Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were arrested on a four-count indictment that includes charges of conspiracy, making false statements...
For 1st Time, Joe Biden Calls for Trump to Be Impeached
ROCHESTER, N.H. — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday for the first time that President Donald Trump must be impeached for abusing the powers of his office to help his own reelection. Biden made the remarks as part of a blistering 25-minute speech in New Hampshire, departing from his...
Trump Defends Syria Move, Doesn't Want US Troops in Mideast
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday over sharp criticism of his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, insisting he is focused on the "BIG PICTURE" that doesn't include American involvement in "stupid endless wars" in the Middle East. "Fighting between various groups that has been...
Juul Stops Funding San Francisco Vaping Measure
SAN FRANCISCO — Juul Labs Inc. announced Monday that it will stop supporting a ballot measure to overturn an anti-vaping law in San Francisco, effectively killing the campaign. The nation’s largest maker of e-cigarettes said it will end its support for Proposition C after donating nearly $19 million. It was...
Campaign Panel Investigates California Lawmaker's Spending
SACRAMENTO — California's campaign watchdog said Thursday that it's investigating allegations that a sitting state lawmaker used campaign funds to fly his family to a Boston Red Sox baseball game, among other purported examples of lavish spending. The Fair Political Practices Commission released a letter saying it is reviewing allegations...
Resumed Federal Executions Raise Death Penalty's 2020 Stakes
WASHINGTON — The question to Michael Dukakis, the Democratic presidential candidate in 1988, was brutally personal. "If Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?" Bernard Shaw, a CNN anchor, asked, referring to the Massachusetts governor's wife. Dukakis said he wouldn't favor...