Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing - February 18, 2020

Newsletters Daily Brew Weekly Brew Hall Pass

Specialty

Ballot Measure Monthly The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Robe & Gavel

Previous edition

Next edition

February 18, 2020

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott endorses Weld   February 18, 2020: Michael Bloomberg qualified for the Las Vegas primary debate on Tuesday morning. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott endorsed Bill Weld. Share the latest from the campaign trail.         Poll Spotlight  Notable Quote of the Day “So achieving victory through a boost in turnout is far more complicated than whether a presidential candidate is inspiring. There are procedural impediments, widespread disaffection among some natural Democratic constituencies and the likelihood that Republicans will be just as enthusiastic about defending Trump as Democrats are about getting rid of him. Just as important, boosting turnout is a practical problem that has to be solved with time-consuming and labor-intensive work. What Democrats would love to duplicate is the election of Barack Obama in 2008, when turnout rose to 61.6 percent, higher than it had been in four decades. Unfortunately, they likely won’t have a new, exciting, charismatic candidate in 2020, nor will they benefit from a less-inspiring Republican or a catastrophic economy. They’ll have to pound it out, voter by voter. It’s not going to be easy, no matter who their nominee is.” – Paul Waldman, The Washington Post Democrats Nevada Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall endorsed Joe Biden on Sunday. Biden attended a fundraiser in Denver on Monday night. Michael Bloomberg released two new ads nationwide and in 28 states focused on economic investments in black communities, “Greenwood” and “Justice.” Bloomberg qualified for the Las Vegas primary debate on Tuesday morning, receiving 19 percent support in a national poll from NPR, PBS NewsHour, and Marist. Pete Buttigieg held Nevada town halls in Reno, Carson City, and Elko, and a rally in Utah on Monday. He also began airing a statewide ad in Nevada titled “Our Chance.” Tulsi Gabbard held a town hall in Fairfax, Virginia, on Monday. She will continue to campaign in the state with another town hall in Richmond on Tuesday. The Houston Chronicle, the second-largest newspaper in Texas, endorsed Amy Klobuchar on Sunday. Klobuchar announced she had raised $12 million in less than two weeks since the Feb. 7 debate. Her campaign also released a Spanish-language television and radio ad airing in Nevada between Feb. 15 and 22. A new super PAC, Kitchen Table Conversations, was formed on Friday to support Klobuchar’s presidential bid. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed Bernie Sanders on Friday. The campaign launched its final two ads in Nevada, “Nevada First” and “Belong to Us,” on Monday. Sanders held a rally in Washington with Rep. Pramila Jayapal on Monday night with more than 17,000 attendees. The Latino activist group, Mijente, backed Sanders on Tuesday, marking the group’s first presidential endorsement. Tom Steyer campaigned in Greenville, South Carolina, on Monday. He is hosting a Black History Month concert in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero endorsed Elizabeth Warren. Warren spoke at the College of Southern Nevada on Monday. Republicans Donald Trump ran a television ad during the broadcast of the Daytona 500 called “New Heights.” He is meeting with 2028 Olympic Games organizers and attending a fundraising event in Beverly Hills Tuesday. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott endorsed Bill Weld on Saturday, making him the first Republican governor to endorse a challenger to Trump. What We’re Reading FiveThirtyEight: Who Will Win The 2020 Democratic Primary? Texas Tribune: Presidential candidates turn their focus to Texas, as early voting begins The Washington Post: Why boosting turnout in November may be tougher than Democrats hope Flashback: February 18, 2016 Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders participated in town halls hosted by MSNBC and Telemundo.