The Democrats just can't unite. Now it's Bernie Sanders' aides turning on each other in a "meltdown" on social media. "As election results across the country rolled in on Tuesday evening, current and former aides to Bernie Sanders abruptly laced into each other on social media, trading accusations of being 'tone-deaf,' not giving 'a [redacted] about the base,' and even stealing infrastructure from the 2020 campaign." (POLITICO) As POLITICO reported, "long simmering tensions within the Sanders campaign have gone public" -- in this case, on social media this week.
The Democratic Party has struggled to unite the party behind Joe Biden, especially the large contingent of Sanders' supporters. Now that challenge seems even more daunting as Sanders' past and present staff are publicly fighting on social media with each other.
Remember: Sanders' delegates to the Democratic National Convention have been asked already to sign a pledge that they won't "denounce" the party candidates (i.e. Biden) or speak to the media without "approval."
That's bizarre -- and a sign of major tensions and not much unity behind Biden on the (far) left.
Senate Republicans may subpoena Obama officials for their investigation of "Crossfire Hurricane," the flawed FBI case against President Trump. "The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Thursday to grant Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) broad subpoena authority as part of a probe stemming from the Obama administration." (The Hill) With this new power, the Senate Homeland Security committee could choose to subpoena Obama Administration leaders like James Comey, Susan Rice, and John Brennan.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will host a similar vote today as well to authorize its chairman for subpoenas in the Russia investigation.
The chairs of both committees have reportedly tried to identify "distinct lanes of jurisdiction," though the topics both will review are entangled.
Testimony from Obama Administration officials could be challenging for Joe Biden's campaign, given his role as Vice President.
A sign of things to come? Pennsylvania governor "unilaterally" changed state election laws ... on the day before the state primary. "Late Monday evening, [Pennsylvania Governor] Wolf issued an executive order extending the mail-in ballot return deadline in six of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties by an entire week, adding to the list of unexpected changes that have occurred leading up to Pennsylvania’s primary." (Daily Signal) Regular order of elections this spring have been up-ended due to coronavirus.
Some changes have been necessary ... but 11th hour changes by a state's governor for less than 10% of the state's counties don't seem to be the right answer for free and fair elections.
Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come in the November 2020 general election.
Things keep getting worse for Rep. Engel. AOC endorses the challenger of the 16-term House member and committee chair. "Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday endorsed the Democrat mounting a primary challenge to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.). " (The Hill) You'll remember Democratic Congressman Eliot Engel from yesterday's edition of The Vote.
He was caught on a "hot mic" (i.e. he spoke into a live microphone without realizing it) at a community event, explaining (twice!), "If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care," presumably about addressing the crowd to talk about the protests in New York City.
The Congressman was already facing criticism for leaving New York City during COVID-19. And now Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (yes, AOC) has endorsed his primary opponent.
It's worth noting: AOC has not endorsed Biden.
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