WASHINGTON — At a pivotal moment Wednesday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood before House Democrats with a lofty message and a stark warning. The battle-born leader implored her majority, after days of high-profile public infighting, to focus on common goals — including defeating President Donald Trump — and to silence the...
AOC's Feud With Pelosi Tests Party Heading to 2020 Election
WASHINGTON — They don't talk to each other much, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But lately they're speaking at one another in a way that threatens party unity and underscores broader tensions reshaping the Democrats. Their power struggle has spilled open in what could be a momentary...
Tom Steyer Launches 2020 Campaign After Saying He Wouldn't
WASHINGTON — Tom Steyer, the billionaire investor and activist, said Tuesday he's joining the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, reversing course after deciding earlier this year he would forgo a run. Steyer, 62, is one of the most visible and deep-pocketed liberals advocating for President Donald Trump's impeachment. He...
In Blue California, Why Are so Many Leftist Plans Going Under?
An unprecedented haul of tax dollars generated by a roaring economy. A governor who campaigned on a big-ticket policy agenda of long-time lefty favorites, including universal childcare and state-funded healthcare for all. A Legislature so thoroughly packed with Democrats it gives rise to a new term — "giga-majority.” Californians could be forgiven...
Trump Campaign Says It Raised $105 Million in 2nd Quarter
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's reelection campaign says it raised $105 million during the second fundraising quarter. The campaign said Tuesday it has a whopping $100 million in cash on hand. Campaign manager Brad Parscale says the total is "a testament to the overwhelming support" for Trump, who formally announced...
Costa Reacts to AOC Staffer Calling Dems Like Him Racist
LOS BANOS — Rep. Jim Costa doesn’t like being called a racist, especially by a staffer of the House's most controversial freshman. In a tweet posted Thursday, Saikat Chakrabarti, chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), compared moderate Democrats to those in the party with racist pasts. Whoa....
Border Bill Exposes Democrats' Divisions on Fighting Trump
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats have convulsed into their deepest and most bitter rifts since taking House control in January, and it took a motherhood and apple pie issue like improving horrific conditions for children and other migrants seized crossing the southwest border to do it. Lawmakers overwhelmingly sent President Donald...
Kamala Harris Gets Personal, Delivers Stunning Blow to Biden
WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris spoke slowly but bluntly as she stared at Joe Biden, then began treating him as a hostile witness. The former prosecutor turned California senator started by saying she didn't think the former vice president was racist. But she criticized him for recently defending having worked with segregationists in...
Health Care, Immigration Top Issues at Democrats' 1st Debate
MIAMI — Ten Democrats railed against a national economy and a Republican administration they argued exist only for the rich as presidential candidates debated onstage for the first time in the young 2020 season, embracing inequality as a defining theme in their fight to deny President Donald Trump a second...
McConnell Rejects Democrats' Demands to Change Border Bill
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell demanded Thursday that House Democrats drop their insistence for changes in a $4.6 billion border aid package the Senate passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and instead give final congressional approval to the legislation. The Kentucky Republican spoke as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.,...