Poll: Presidential Voters Say Age More Disqualifying Than Being Gay

A new a Reuters/Ipsos poll may be good news for Mayor Pete Buttigieg as the survey shows age may be a more disqualifying factor for presidential candidates than sexual orientation.

Via Reuters:

Overall, the poll found that 48% of adults in the United States said they were “much” or “somewhat” less likely to support someone for the White House if the person was older than 70, while 34% were less likely to vote for someone who is gay.

And 12% said they were more likely to vote for a gay candidate, compared with 11% who said they were more likely to support a candidate who is over 70.

The current Democratic field of candidates running for the 2020 presidential nomination includes two septuagenarians - former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The poll also showed that minorities were more likely to be supportive of a gay candidate than whites, and millennials were more supportive than Baby Boomers. Additionally, urban dwellers were more supportive than those living in rural areas.

New Poll Shows Five Democrats Would Beat Trump

A new national poll by Ipsos/Reuters shows several Democratic candidates beating Donald Trump in hypothetical head-to-head matchups:

Biden 47% (+13)
Trump 34%

Sanders 44% (+9)
Trump 35%

Warren 40% (+4)
Trump 36%

Harris 39% (+3)
Trump 36%

Buttigieg 37% (+2)
Trump 35%

Click the link to see much more of the results.

I know it's waaaaaay early, but I always find it interesting to see what folks might be thinking.

In truth, the next real shakeup will be the first Democratic debates on June 26/27.

Will anyone make a gaffe or suddenly have a shining moment?

Poll: Joe Biden Leads Dem Hopefuls By 19+

Sen. Bernie Sanders (L), former VP Joe Biden (C) and Sen. Kamala Harris (R)

A new national survey by Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll shows former Vice President Joe Biden has an impressive 19 point lead over his nearest competitor for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Hill reports that Biden pulled 36 percent support in the new poll while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders garnered 17 percent.

California Sen. Kamala Harris came in third with 8 percent, and tying for fourth place were Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 5 percent.

Click over to The Hill for more info.

One Night, Five Democrats, Five Town Halls

CNN held five back-to-back town hall events with five Democratic presidential contenders last night - Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Good stuff from everyone, they all had strong moments at times.

A few takeaways:

While I appreciate the moderate lane Klobuchar has staked out for herself, it came across a bit timid and noncommittal in some of her answers. I'll admit that a lot of issues can't be truly addressed in a couple of minutes on a stage, but she was notably more cautious than her fellow candidates.

I really like Kamala Harris. She's clear about what she stands for, and she has a strong decisive energy about her.

When asked about impeachment proceedings for Donald Trump, she said Congress should take steps towards impeachment but added Democrats must be "realistic about what might be the end result."

One of Harris' best moments came when she was asked about the issue of gun violence in the country and what she would do about it. Here's what she said:

Sen. Kamala Harris says if she is elected President, she will give Congress 100 days "to get their act together and have the courage to pass reasonable gun safety laws, and if they fail to do it, then I will take executive action" https://t.co/KFdn5Viqm1 pic.twitter.com/jVZvDjmVZR

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

I have to say I almost became emotional as Mayor Pete took to the stage. As a gay man, to see this 37-year-old mayor take to the stage as a real player and handle himself so well was uplifting and energizing.

Mayor Pete had one of the biggest moments of the night when he was asked about the back and forth he's had with Vice President Pence, and a comment made by Trump ally and homocon Richard Grennell, the current ambassador to Germany.

Buttigieg's response: "I'm not a master fisherman, but I know bait when I see and I'm not going to take it." And the crowd went wild.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg on dig from Trump official: I know bait when I see it

Buttigieg refused to engage when asked about a Trump admin. official who accused him of pushing a "hate hoax" during his back-and-forth with VP Mike Pence https://t.co/qDjMO1a1Fn #ButtigiegTownHall pic.twitter.com/wggYBDARTk

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

A new talking point emerged throughout the night after Sen. Sanders said even the Boston bomber deserved to be able to vote. Sen. Harris concurred saying, "We should have that conversation."

But Buttigieg was clear and concise in his opinion that prisoners should not be allowed to vote. "While incarcerated? No, I don't think so," the South Bend mayor said.

Mayor Buttigieg says he disagrees with Sen. Sanders on felons' right to vote: "Part of the punishment when you're convicted of a crime and you're incarcerated is you lose certain rights ... I think during that period it does not make sense to have an exception" #ButtigiegTownHall pic.twitter.com/0ddBR97Wcv

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

CNN has recapped each of the candidate's hour-long turns onstage.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Sen. Bernie Sanders

Sen. Kamala Harris

Mayor Pete Buttigieg

A few more moments from the night:

Sen. Bernie Sanders says the right to vote should be extended "even for terrible people" https://t.co/M3U37R21GK #SandersTownHall pic.twitter.com/5wmhSdvrRj

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders: "I don't think anybody seriously believes that because I wrote a best-selling book and made money, that I've changed my views and you'll now hear me saying, 'Gee, maybe we want to give tax breaks to millionaires'" https://t.co/5rjsvHJlbN #SandersTownHall pic.twitter.com/zQlazSaX2c

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

Sen. Elizabeth Warren explains how she’ll pay for her new student debt cancellation and free college plan, saying billionaires will have to “pay something back so everybody else gets a chance.” https://t.co/r8SoPsq3Vp #WarrenTownHall pic.twitter.com/qSd96d4GQ0

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

"I announced my candidacy in the middle of a blizzard, and he made fun of me for talking about climate change — by the way, happy #EarthDay…I said, 'Hey Donald Trump, the science is on my side.'" -Sen. Amy Klobuchar on controlling the message when facing Trump #KlobucharTownHall pic.twitter.com/4CZiL2mGFQ

— CNN (@CNN) April 23, 2019

News Round-Up: April 22, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• This is how InstaHunk Ignacio Pérez Rey welcomed his Monday in Madrid. Who else was excited for the new week?

• After a South Carolina family's Pride flag was found ripped down and burned, neighbors began flying rainbow flags in solidarity.

• Rumors have surfaced that Kevin Hunter, husband for 22 years to Wendy Williams, had an ongoing sexual relationship with R&B singer Aveon Falstar during his marriage to Williams.

• A new University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll shows Sen. Bernie Sanders getting 30% support of likely Democratic primary voters in the Granite State. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who’s expected to announce his White House bid this week, came in at 18%, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 15%.

• Nevada is now the 10th US state to allow gender-neutral markers on identification documents. Residents can now choose ‘x’ in addition to’ for male and ‘f’ for female on drivers licenses and birth certificates.

• Randy Report favorite Pink drops the lyric video for the title track of her upcoming album, Hurts 2B Human, featuring Khalid.

The new collection, the pop icon's 8th studio album, will be released Friday, April 26.

Poll: Sanders' Supporters Not All That Dedicated To Democrats

Sen. Bernie Sanders (L) and Mayor Pete Buttigieg (R)

A new poll from Emerson shows the 'Bernie bros' aren't quite down on solidarity with the Democrats 'no matter what.'

Forbes' analysis of the new survey shows 26% of Bernie supporters say they would vote for Donald Trump over Sen. Elizabeth Warren should she clinch the Democratic nomination.

Similarly, while 100% of Mayor Pete Buttigieg's supporters say they would vote for Bernie should he prevail as the Democratic nominee, only 79% of Sanders supporters say they would support Buttigieg in a general election against Trump.

The Emerson poll is the first to show Sanders getting more support than former Vice President Joe Biden, who has seen his numbers slip a bit of late.

Sanders got 29% support, followed by Biden at 24% and then Buttigieg at 9%.

Harris and Beto O’Rourke garnered 8% and Warren just 7%. 

"While still early in the nominating process, it looks like Mayor Pete is the candidate capturing voters’ imagination; the numbers had him at 0 percent in mid-February, 3 percent in March and now at 9 percent in April," wrote Director of Emerson Polling Spencer Kimball said of the results.

Trump Accuses Fox News Of 'Stuffing' Sanders Town Hall Audience With Supporters

Donald Trump

As I suspected yesterday, Donald Trump is accusing Fox News of "stuffing" the audience at the televised Town Hall with Sen. Bernie Sanders this past weekend with Bernie supporters.

The Trumpster simply can't believe that Sanders would get the positive reaction he did at the event.

Trump also believes Sanders personally owes the Donald for income he's made the past few years. Why? I don't have a clue.

Many Trump Fans & Signs were outside of the @FoxNews Studio last night in the now thriving (Thank you President Trump) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for the interview with Crazy Bernie Sanders. Big complaints about not being let in-stuffed with Bernie supporters. What’s with @FoxNews?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2019

Bernie Sanders and wife should pay the Pre-Trump Taxes on their almost $600,000 in income. He is always complaining about these big TAX CUTS, except when it benefits him. They made a fortune off of Trump, but so did everyone else - and that’s a good thing, not a bad thing!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2019

Trump Drags Fox News For Giving Bernie Sanders Air Time

Is the Trumpster getting jelly?

Donald Trump ranted on Twitter about Fox News giving Sen. Bernie Sanders prime time exposure in a town hall last night with anchor Bret Baier.

He wrote, "So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on @FoxNews. Not surprisingly, @BretBaier and the “audience” was so smiley and nice. Very strange, and now we have @donnabrazile?"

Notice that he puts the word audience in quotations...? Is the Donald calling the folks in attendance 'fake?'

So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on @FoxNews. Not surprisingly, @BretBaier and the “audience” was so smiley and nice. Very strange, and now we have @donnabrazile?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 16, 2019

Perhaps what really riled the Donald up was Sanders' pitch for 'Medicare for all' without any interruption by the Fox folks.

Bernie Sanders spent more than 2 minutes of his Fox News town hall to defend Medicare for All and attack Trump’s Medicare plans — uninterrupted. Not sure I’ve seen that happen on Fox News before. pic.twitter.com/kuONJdbcB3

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 16, 2019

Report: Russian Operatives Targeted Sanders Supporters To Weaken Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders

Researchers studying Twitter data from the 2016 election say Russian operatives definitely targeted supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders in an effort to weaken Hillary Clinton's campaign.

From The Hill:

A study by Clemson University researchers reported by The Washington Post found that thousands of tweets from Russian-owned accounts masquerading as conservative accounts supporting President Trump began targeting Sanders's supporters shortly after the primary concluded.

“#BlackMenForBernie Leader Switches to Trump! I will Never Vote for Hillary, Welcome aboard the Trump Train,” read one tweet sent by a Russian account pretending to be a "Southern., Conservative Pro God, Anti Racism" Twitter user from Texas.

“Conscious Bernie Sanders supporters already moving towards the best candidate Trump! #Feel the Bern #Vote Trump 2016,” read another account known as "Red Louisiana News" that was actually operated by Russians.

About 12 percent of Sanders voters said they ended up voting for Trump over Clinton in the general election, according to the Post.

Still, the number of Sanders voters who supported Trump in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — states considered key to Trump's victory — was higher than Trump's margin of victory in those states.

“I think there is no question that Sanders was central to their strategy,” Darren Linvill, one of the two Clemson researchers behind the study, told the Post. “He was clearly used as a mechanism to decrease voter turnout for Hillary Clinton.”

Beto Beats Bernie In First Day Campaign Donations

Beto O'Rourke

From the New York Times:

Beto O’Rourke raised more than $6 million online in the first 24 hours after announcing his presidential campaign last week, according to his campaign, outpacing his rivals for the Democratic nomination and making an emphatic statement about his grass-roots financial strength.

Mr. O’Rourke brought in $6,136,736 after declaring his long-anticipated bid with a web video and trip to Iowa on Thursday morning, raising the sum entirely online and from all 50 states, the campaign said.

Beto's one day total tops the $5.9 million one-day total for Sen. Bernie Sanders after he launched, and the first-day fundraising total for Sen. Kamala Harris at $1.5 million

We don't know the average size of the donation yet, which does matter. Beto may have raised more than Bernie but it's possible Bernie can go back to that well of donors more often. https://t.co/sN52GOUzoI

— Sam Stein (@samstein) March 18, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders Announces Bid For 2020 Democratic Nomination For Prez

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the longest serving Independent in the history of Congress, has announced he will make a second run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.

Sanders announced via video this morning.

I'm running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country. Say you're in: https://t.co/KOTx0WZqRf pic.twitter.com/T1TLH0rm26

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 19, 2019

Axios reports Sanders raised $1.2 million from 42,000 donors in the first 3.5 hours after his official announcement on Tuesday morning.

For comparison, Sen. Kamala Harris, who had seen the biggest fundraising so far for the Democratic primary, reportedly raised $1.5 million in the first 24 hours following her announcement.

Bernie Sanders Will Give His Own Response To SOTU At Same Time As Democrats' Response

Sen. Bernie Sanders

UPDATE: Sen. Sanders has reversed himself (see tweet below) saying he will issue his rebuttal following Stacey Abrams' official Democratic response.

Stacey Abrams is a great choice to deliver the Democratic response. I'm very much looking forward to her speech.

For the third year in a row, following the Democratic rebuttal I'll be on Facebook Live, Twitter and YouTube to respond to Trump. https://t.co/4xOCjkNwtF

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 4, 2019

*********************************************************

The Hill is reporting that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will give his own response to Donald Trump's State of the Union address.

The senator's office confirmed with The Hill that he will give his rebuttal speech via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube at the same time as Democrat Stacey Abrams delivers the official Democratic Response.

He's got to give his response at the same time???

The senator, who is listed as an Independent but caucuses with the Democrats, is considering another run for the White House in 2020.

And you can bet it will be as a Democrat.

It would be dope if Bernie was like I don’t need to do a SOTU response bc a capable Black women has got that covered but he couldn’t and didn’t and Black women see that and we won’t forget. #takingnote pic.twitter.com/9YldwWk37E

— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) February 4, 2019

So does that mean he is asserting himself an Independent since Stacey Abrams has been tapped to give the Democrats response? #BernieSanders #SOTU #Democrats https://t.co/dCxMULMDHY

— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) February 4, 2019

Big mistake by Bernie Sanders in doing his own state of union response and in process stepping on official response by Stacey Abrams.

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) February 4, 2019

Just one day. That's all. Wait until the little hand does two complete cycles and have at it. Why is that so much to ask? Why is @BernieSanders choosing the same night as the first Black woman to deliver a State of the Union response? It is so damn disrespectful.

— Charlotte Clymer🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) February 4, 2019

#smh

Sen. Bernie Sanders Denounces Shooting Attack On Congress Members

Sen. Bernie Sanders

According to reports, the alleged shooter in this morning's attack on a Congressional baseball practice, that left five injured including Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, was apparently a volunteer for Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign last year.

Sen. Sanders immediately issued a statement denouncing the violence.

Via press release:

“I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball practice is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign.

"I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.

"Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values.

"My hopes and prayers are that Representative Scalise, congressional staff and the Capitol Police Officers who were wounded make a quick and full recovery. I also want to thank the Capitol Police for their heroic actions to prevent further harm.”

I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. pic.twitter.com/ib2reH3ghQ

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 14, 2017

Meme Of The Day: Voter Fraud Begins At Home

(via Sen. Bernie Sanders)

Bernie Sanders Not Ruling Out 2020 Run For President

Sen. Bernie Sanders told the Associated Press today that he is not ruling out a possible second run for the White House in 2020.

"Four years is a long time from now," said the 75-year-old Vermont senator, noting that he faces re-election to the Senate in 2018. But he added: "We'll take one thing at a time, but I'm not ruling out anything."

Sanders gave voice to the frustration among many liberals in the aftermath of Trump's stunning triumph over Hillary Clinton. He told The Associated Press in a phone interview that millions of working-class voters' decision to back Trump was "an embarrassment" to the party and that Democrats must take a strong stand against the role of corporate interests in politics.

"It is an embarrassment, I think, to the entire of Democratic Party that millions of white working-class people decided to vote for Mr. Trump, which suggests that the Democratic message of standing up for working people no longer holds much sway among workers in this country," Sanders said.

The Vermont senator declined to criticize his primary rival, Hillary Clinton, attributing Tuesday's election loss to a "lack of enthusiasm" among Democrats. "People just did not come out to vote," he said.

The AP goes on to note that Sanders will support Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Ellison is the only Muslim member of Congress.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: "Donald Trump Would Be A Disaster And An Embarrassment"

Sen. Bernie Sanders pens this op-ed for the LA Times wherein he implores his supporters to vote for Hillary Clinton and make sure Donald Trump gets nowhere near the presidency.

The conventions are over and the general election has officially begun. In the primaries, I received 1,846 pledged delegates, 46% of the total. Hillary Clinton received 2,205 pledged delegates, 54%. She received 602 superdelegates. I received 48 superdelegates. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and I will vigorously support her.

Donald Trump would be a disaster and an embarrassment for our country if he were elected president. His campaign is not based on anything of substance — improving the economy, our education system, healthcare or the environment. It is based on bigotry.

[snip]

I understand that many of my supporters are disappointed by the final results of the nominating process, but being despondent and inactive is not going to improve anything. Going forward and continuing the struggle is what matters. And, in that struggle, the most immediate task we face is to defeat Donald Trump.

Talks Underway For Bernie Sanders To Formally Nominate Hillary Clinton At #DNCinPHL

Talks underway about Bernie Sanders being the person tonight who puts Hillary Clinton "over the top" for nomination at #DNCinPHL (via CNN)

— Matthew Nordin (@MatthewNordin) July 26, 2016

I heard from two sources now that say talks are underway for Bernie Sanders to call for the Democratic National Convention to accept Hillary Clinton as presidential candidate "by acclamation."

A somewhat ceremonial move, but a step towards party unity.

Tweet Of The Day: Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders Texts Supporters To "Not Engage In Any Kind Of Protest On The Floor" Of DNC

Bernie Sanders has texted his supporters asking them to not protest from the floor of the Democratic National Committee:

"I ask you as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor. It's of utmost importance that you explain this to your delegations."

Sanders asks followers to take it easy on the floor protests...#DNCinPHL https://t.co/3ZdYjcaxOW

— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) July 25, 2016

DNC Formally Apologizes To Bernie Sanders And His Supporters

DNC offers apology to Bernie Sanders and his supporters for leaked emails #DemsInPhilly (via @fitzpatrick_m) pic.twitter.com/yRzyjFeOwZ

— Steven D'Souza (@cbcsteve) July 25, 2016