Sunday School 3/1/20

I've got Dem presidential candidates wandering all over the lecture halls today - a couple of them making more than one appearance - and we've also got the COVID-19  Task Force members all over the place, too. 

Per my plan of featuring the candidates front and center, I'll cover them today and the other guys in an Extra Credit post. 

Let's start with Margaret Brennan's conversation with That Guy From Vermont on CBS' Face the Nation. 

On whether South Carolina might be an indicator of his prospects there and whether Papa Joe Biden will pose a real challenge there?

... I think based on the polling, we're doing pretty well in Virginia. I think we've got a shot in North Carolina. All I can say is the issues that we are talking about and that is health care as a human right, raising the minimum wage to a living wage, dealing forcefully with the existential threat of climate change. Those are ideas, Margaret, that I think are resonating all across this country. I think we have an excellent chance to do well on Tuesday and to win the Democratic nomination.

On any advantage he's going to get from his $46M haul in February?

... it is not only the amount of money that we raised, and that is a phenomenal amount, it's how we raised it. We don't have a super PAC like Joe Biden. I don't go to rich people's homes like Joe Biden. I think Joe has contributions for more than 40 billionaires. What we have done is received more campaign contributions from more Americans than any candidate in the history of the United States, averaging eighteen dollars and 50 cents. This is a campaign of working people and by working people... But we have enough money now not only to take us through Super Tuesday, but take us through the entire process fueled by the contributions of working class people all across this country.

On whether he'd really turn down Michael Bloomberg's financial help come the general election?

Well, look, Mr. Bloomberg is free to do anything he can with his 60 billion dollars, and that's legal. All I can say is at this point, we are confident that we can receive the kind of campaign funding that we need from working-class and middle-class people, that we don't have to be beholden to any powerful special interests...he has the right to do anything he wants. Right now, we are confident... based on the fundraising that we are doing, is that we can beat Trump. 

On whether he's the best person, as a Democratic Socialist and someone who is constantly criticizing the Democratic Party and the Democratic establishment, to unify the Dems and beat Trump?

...I'm a member of the Democratic leadership. I've been in the Democratic caucus from...virtually my first day back in Congress 30 years ago ... But we will win because we have an agenda that speaks to independents, to Democrats, and to more than a few Republicans. Look, we are living at a time when the American people are sick and tired of the kind of income and wealth inequality that exists in America. All over this country, Margaret... you got millions of people are working 11, 12 bucks an hour. They can't afford childcare. They can't afford healthcare. They're scared to death about their retirement. They want a government that represents them, not just billionaire campaign contributors. That's how you win. You put together that coalition, multi-generational, multi-racial. That is what we're doing. No campaign out there has a stronger grassroots movement than we do. That's how you beat Trump. 

On the COVID-19 virus and whether it's safe out there in California and can he still hold his rallies?

...I mean, that's a very fair question. And my campaign has spoken to public health officials on that issue. And right now, we are planning to do rallies not only in California, but in Utah, Minnesota and other states around the country.

On there being any political cost to "sparring with" AIPAC (the pro-Israel lobby) and being told he's not welcome in Israel by their ambassador to the UN? 

...they have a lot of money. They have a lot of power. Look, I'm Jewish and I'm very proud of my Jewish heritage... I am not in- anti-Israel. I will do everything I can to protect the independence and the security and the freedom of the Israeli people. But what we need in this country is a foreign policy that not only protects Israel, but deals with the suffering of the Palestinian people as well. You've got 70 percent youth unemployment in Gaza. People can't even leave that district, that area, major, major crises... So, I am pro-Israel. I am pro-Palestinian. I want to bring people together to finally achieve peace in that region.

And on the Taliban deal?  

Well, I don't have enough details... and that peace agreement, needless to say, is going to have to go through the Afghan government. We don't know what's going to happen. One of the difficulties, to be very honest, Margaret, in dealing with Trump, it is very hard to believe anything that he says, whether it's the coronavirus, whether what's going on in Afghanistan... It is my view that we've got to end endless wars, that when we have five hundred thousand people in America sleeping out on the street and people can't afford health care, we got to invest in this country, not in endless wars.

Moving on, let's sit in on Papa Joe Biden's conversation with the eponymous host on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. George didn't waste any time.

On whether the Dems will lose in November if TGFV gets the nomination?

... he'll have great trouble bringing along other senators, keeping the House of Representatives, leading back the Senate and down ballot initiatives. So I -- I think -- I think it is a stark choice. And it's not about whether or not we restore the soul of the Democratic Party, it's about restoring the soul and unite this country, the whole country. And I think -- I think I can do that.

On whether TGFV will likely have a big delegate lead after Super Tuesday?

...he, obviously, is outspending 10-1 or beyond that...but I think it's more -- as much the message in what we stand for and what we're going to do and the idea that, you know, Bernie is going to be able to win these -- he could win California, whoever the Democrat is I think will win California in a general election, but we still have (to) come along and win the Senate. We have to win in North Carolina and we have to win in Georgia, we have to win in Texas, Florida, et cetera. So I think that -- and I do very well in those states as well and I haven't been able to spend the kind of money he has or put together the organization, although we did very well last night. So far this month we've raised -- which for us is a lot of money, about -- I guess it's close to $18 million. We raised $5 million just from the win last night in a 24 hour period overnight. And so I think things are beginning to move.

On where he can win on Tuesday?

... in the upcoming states. I think we can win most of the southern states. We're in contention, including in Texas. It's going to be very hard to make up the ground in California, but I think we can make up a lot of ground in California in three days and -- so I feel good about where it goes. And Super Tuesday's not the end. It's only the beginning. We're about even on delegates right now. We have more popular votes thus far than Sanders does and I feel good about going to places where I've always had significant support from the people who make up the Democratic electorate.

On Rep. Jim Clyburn's comment about changes coming to Biden's campaign, and letting people "mishandle" the campaign?

Well, there's a lot of changes coming. This is, as you know, from your past experience years ago, this is a matter of addition, not subtraction. And so we're attracting more and more people, we're adding more competent people, additional people who are very competent. I feel good about the top part of my campaign. We've had some difficulties across the board in terms of field organization. That's getting better... We can always improve. And I can improve as well. 

On whether not having an endorsement from Barack Obama is hurting, and is it time for Obama to make an endorsement?

No, it isn't hurting me and I don't think it's time...Look -- remember, George, the first thing that everybody said when I announced, the opposition, the Democratic opposition said, "well, Biden feels entitled because he's vice president." Imagine had the president endorsed me, it would have been, "well, Biden's entitled because it -- he think -- he thinks he's entitled because of the president's endorsement." The president and I are close friends. I -- and I have no doubt when I win this nomination he will be out there full bore for me.

On why the candidate with the most pledged delegates come convention time shouldn't be the nominee?

For the same reason he didn't think when Hillary had the most pledged delegates that she should be the nominee. The process is laid out. I find -- you know, don't you find, George, that, you know, that there's not a lot of consistency coming out of some of these campaigns...all of a sudden he's had an epiphany. You know, look, I -- I say what I mean, I mean what I say, I say it and I stay with it. I think the process is laid out. We should go with the process. But I'm not even certain he's going to go into the -- into this convention with the most delegates.

On the argument for him to be the nominee if he's in second place and the superdelegates have to make the decision?

Because I can win and I can bring along Democratic victories up and down the slate... I can win the United States Senate at the top of the ticket...I can increase the number in the House... I can win in places where I don't think Bernie can win in a general election... But most people I know, whether they are -- are -- quote, establishment Democrats or just people concerned about making sure that we not only beat Donald Trump but have enough votes in the House and Senate to pass progressive legislation, like I proposed, know that we have to do better... up and down the ladder in terms of state and local races...(in 2018) I went into 24 states, purple states, for over 65 candidates. They wanted me in...They were asking me to come in. I don't know that they asked Bernie. They may have. I doubt it.

On how the response to the coronavirus would be different if he were president?

It would have been fundamentally different... look, right now you have this president, hasn't allowed his scientists to speak, number one. He has the vice president speaking, not the scientists who know what they're talking about, like Fauci.

Number two, they haven't even prepared a test kit to determine whether or not anybody has the virus. They're not even available. They say now they'll be available in -- in -- by the end of the week or next week. They haven't set up a pattern in how to proceed. They don't -- they -- they've cut the funding for the CDC. They've cut the -- the Centers for Disease Control. They've cut the funding for -- they've tried to cut the funding for NIH, the National Institute of Health. They have eliminated the office we set up -- we set up in the president's office to deal with pandemic diseases. This has been outrageous the way they proceeded. They should let the scientists speak.

... Look, this is about knowing where it is, who has it, and how to deal with it. And I see -- I see no preparedness other than a political talking point, putting someone in charge who is not a scientist and not -- and muzzling the scientist.

And finally, let's check in with Chuck Todd and Mayor Pete on Meet the Press, where the first question was on where his campaign stands now.

We knew South Carolina was going to be a challenging state. We competed hard there, but nothing can take away from Vice President Biden's commanding victory, and I congratulate him on that. I think the most important thing right now is to look at what we can do to make sure that we put forward a campaign that is going to end the Trump presidency because everywhere I go, Americans are focused on ensuring that we not only get better policies, that we turn the page on all of the things that this president is doing and has done to our country, to our democracy, but also that we turn the page on the tone in our politics and that we move on from this divisive and toxic season in American public life...

On whether there's a point where he has to look and say he and Biden have the same message, but Biden's winning?

Well, there's certainly that overlap there. We also, obviously, represent a different style and approach in many ways. But what I'll say is that call to decency, I think, is something that is very strong in our party right now. And it's what we need in our country right now. We cannot go on like this with a politics of being at each other's throats. And part of how I believe our campaign has been able to beat the odds and defy all of the expectations is that our message of belonging is one that has resonated across the country...

On black voters taking a second look at him, and how he continues to struggle with people of color?

...there's no question that the Vice President had a commanding lead with black voters in South Carolina. And that bar of earning the trust of voters of color right now, that bar is high for a reason, especially when you're talking about black voters in the south. That is a hard-won vote,... often, that access was brought about within living memory. I understand why that bar is so high. I'm humbled by the challenge and have continued to focus on making sure I present not just our policy ideas, but what this campaign is about in a way that can reach out to black voters and to voters across the board.

On if he had won the DNC chair, what message would he be giving himself as a candidate about doing what's best for the party? 

...every day I'm getting up, looking at how we can do what's best for the party. It's why we got into this race in the first place, the belief that a different kind of message and a different kind of messenger could rally people together... And every day we're in this campaign is a day that we've reached the conclusion that pushing forward is the best thing that we can do for the country and for the party.

On what 'success' would be on Super Tuesday?

Well, we believe that there are places from coast to coast, in districts across different states, where our message is resonating particularly well. We'll be looking at the math as we continue to push and make the most of the resources that we have... You wouldn't always know it from looking at the outcomes in Washington, but right now the American people are already with us. What's going to be needed is a message, a messenger, and the leadership to make sure that those priorities are met. And I find that true in the reddest of states and on the coast as well.

On whether there's a Super Tuesday result that would change his outlook on the campaign?

Every single day, yes, we do a lot of math on this campaign. And so we'll be assessing at every turn not only what the right answer is for the campaign, but making sure that every step we take is in the best interest of the party and that goal of making sure we defeat Donald Trump because our country can't take four more years of this.

So there you have it -- three of the four remaining men in the race; the two women were not in the classrooms today. 

Also of note? 

• Tom Steyer suspended his campaign Saturday night, seeing no path to victory. 
• Twitter was trending this morning with #DropOutAmy, #DropoutWarren, #WarrenDropOut and #DropOutPete. 
• But the 'drop out' hashtag with the most hits, by far? #DropOutBernie, with over 54K mentions, compared to less than 5K for each of the others.

See you around campus - and if you're in a Super Tuesday state and eligible to vote, please do so.