Ballotpedia's Daily Presidential News Briefing - February 20, 2019

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February 20, 2019

Sanders raises $4 million in first 24 hours of campaign   February 20, 2019: President Donald Trump (R) brought on five new communications and finance staffers. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) raised $4 million in the first 24 hours of his presidential campaign. Share the latest from the campaign trail.         Notable Quote of the Day “Could we have our first four-party election in 2020 — with candidates from the Donald Trump far right, the old G.O.P. center right, the Joe Biden center left and the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez far left all squaring off, as the deepening divides within our two big parties simply can’t be papered over any longer? It’s not impossible.” – Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times Democrats Sen. Cory Booker shared a video clip of him discussing research for neurological diseases and how his mother cared for his father when he was ill with Parkinson’s onset dementia. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg was interviewed on radio program 1A, where he discussed spending billions to address climate change. Former Rep. John Delaney released the following statement shortly after Sanders announced his candidacy: “This primary is going to be a choice between socialism and a more just form of capitalism. I believe in capitalism, the free markets, and the private economy. I don’t believe socialism is the answer and I don’t believe it’s what the American people want.” In her second campaign trip to Iowa, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand met with state legislators. “Gillibrand said her main goal was to ensure the group knows who she is and that she’s won in a ‘very red’ part of New York,” Radio Iowa reported. Sen. Kamala Harris finished her first trip to New Hampshire Tuesday, including speaking at the Politics & Eggs breakfast at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. Sen. Bernie Sanders raised $4 million in the first 24 hours of his campaign. He was also endorsed by fellow Vermont congressional delegation members Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch. Sen. Elizabeth Warren appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, where she said climate change, gun violence, and student loan debt would constitute national emergencies. The Washington Post profiled author Marianne Williamson and her message of spiritually healing the country. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang is campaigning in Ohio this weekend. Republicans President Donald Trump added five new members to his 2020 reelection campaign, including Republican campaign veteran Tim Murtaugh as communications director, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany as national press secretary, and former Mike Pence aide Mark Lotter as director of strategic communications. Former White House staffer Cole Blocker and former NASA press secretary Megan Powers are also joining the team as the director of finance and director of administrative operations, respectively. On the Cusp: Tracking Potential Candidates Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) commented on Trump’s re-election chances, saying, “The issue I'm concerned about is he has a very low re-elect number, I think in the 30s, high 30s, low 40s. So the chance of him losing a general election are pretty good. I'm not saying he couldn't win but he's pretty weak in the general election.” Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke said that he was open to running as a vice presidential candidate. He added, “I won't be limited by the end of this month, but I expect to be able to get to a decision by the end of this month.” What We’re Reading Dallas Morning News: Voters' silent support for Donald Trump makes him a formidable candidate in 2020 New York Magazine: Will Age Be An Issue in the 2020 Presidential Race? Vox: The big divide among 2020 Democrats over trade — and why it matters Flashback: February 20, 2015 Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation to move Michigan’s primary up to March 8, one week earlier than the previously planned March 15 election.