January 1, 2020: Bloomberg and Hillary vs Trump and Pence?

This Day In History | 1968

The first 911 call is made in the United States. 

Good morning Middle Americans, 

Always the bridesmaid never the bride. Except for that one time, she married Bill Clinton. But still, our first thought when the story about Mike Bloomberg considering Hillary Clinton for his VP started to seep out was – ‘Is he trolling her’? I can’t imagine that she would want to be that close, yet so far away from Oval Office. There have already been plenty of jokes about Mike Bloomberg needing to hire a food taster and extra security with Hillary Clinton lurking over his shoulder. But on the other hand, it’s a pretty smart move to cast Clinton in the light of a VP now, it makes Bloomberg already look more presidential than HRC, who’s already had two unsuccessful bids for the White House. 

For what it’s worth, current NYC mayor Bill De Blasio is endorsing Sen. Bernie Sanders for president. This is also interesting because New York City has had its fair share of problems crop up under De Blasio. Those problems include homelessness and crime spikes, and De Blasio’s disastrous relationship with the New York City Police Department. 

There has been another report of rockets hitting a U.S. military base in Iraq. This time there are no reported injuries. But don’t forget the last time, when the initial reports of a dozen injured troops turned into more than 100 injured troops. 

Finally – it’s going to be ‘Merica + MAGA x 100 at the Daytona 500 today. Considering President Trump is going to take a victory lap around the track in his presidential limo. 

Read all about it. 

– Fraser Dixon 

Bloomberg is Considering Hillary Clinton as His Running Mate, Says Matt Drudge

(CNBC) – Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is considering Hillary Clinton as a vice-presidential running mate after positive internal polling about the potential pairing, according to the Drudge Report, which cited sources close to the Bloomberg campaign.

According to Drudge, in such a partnership Bloomberg would change his official residence from New York to Colorado or Florida. The constitution suggests there may be limitations in both members of a presidential ballot residing in the same state.

Jason Schechter, director of communications for the Bloomberg campaign, said in a statement to CNBC: “We are focused on the primary and the debate, not VP speculation.” A spokesperson for Clinton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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De Blasio Endorses Sanders In 2020 Primary: ‘He Stands With Working Families’

(Talking Points Memo) – New York City mayor and former 2020 candidate Bill de Blasio endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the Democratic primary on Friday.

“I am standing with Bernie because he stands with working families, and always has,” de Blasio said in his endorsement. “New Yorkers know all too well the damage caused by Donald Trump’s xenophobia, bigotry and recklessness, and Bernie is the candidate to take him on and take him down.”

Sanders, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, said he was “so proud to have the support of a New York City Mayor fighting every day to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”

“Bill is a leading example of what bringing the Democratic Party together around so-called ‘radical ideas’ like universal pre-K, paid family and sick leave, and defending our immigrant neighbors can do for our country,” the senator said.

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Rockets Hit U.S. Coalition Base in Baghdad

(Reuters) – Rockets hit a U.S.-led military coalition’s Baghdad headquarters early on Sunday but caused no casualties, a coalition spokesman said, in the latest attack to target U.S. facilities in Iraq.

Washington has blamed Iran-backed paramilitary groups for increasingly regular rocketing and shelling of bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq and of the area around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

An attack last month hit the U.S. Embassy compound itself, and a rocket attack on a military base in the north in December killed a U.S. civilian contractor.

There have been no claims for the attacks.

Tension between Iran and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has mostly played out on Iraqi soil in recent months.

The United States killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike in Baghdad last month, after which the region braced for a full-scale conflict. Iran launched its first direct missile attack on two bases hosting U.S. forces in response.

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Trump’s Daytona 500 Appearance Could Include Lap in Presidential Limo

(Fox Business) – President Trump’s appearance at the Daytona 500 on Sunday may feature a guest appearance from the presidential limousine known as “The Beast.”

Trump is planning to take a lap around the track at Daytona International Speedway prior to the venerable NASCAR event, Fox News chief White House correspondent John Roberts reported on Friday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. Plans have not yet been finalized.

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