Europe is experiencing the largest movement of people across its borders since World War II , and it is struggling . It ’ s not just wrestling with capacity and enforcement , as the crush of Middle Easterners and Africans take to the Mediterranean and trek across frontiers , but also testing the limits of its humanitarianism .\nThe human tide has weighed heavily on some countries and inundated swaths of European countryside or urban space – eliciting fortitude and generosity of spirit , which has been undercovered . It has also revealed a dark side to the continent : fences , tear gas , riots , and hate speech .\nToday ’ s migrants are as poor or traumatized as those refugees during World War II , but many are also black or Muslim . They stand out in communities that have long known nothing but homogeneity . And they are entering at a time when EU citizens question what it really means to live in the 28-member union .\nThese questions have been brewing for years , but the sheer scale of migration has thrust them suddenly from abstract scenarios into a situation demanding answers now . Through July of this year , some 340,000 have attempted to reach Europe ’ s doorstep according to EU statistics , nearly three times the same period of last year . And so far nearly 2,440 have died trying .\nIn an ongoing series called Seeking Refuge , the Monitor has searched for themes and lessons learned in the midst of one of the European Union 's greatest modern tests .\nWhen a boat capsized in April off of Libya , killing nearly 800 migrants on board , the argument that the EU should scale back patrols to deter migration – as they were doing at the time of the tragedy – was flipped on its head .\nRescue patrols and walls factor into a migrant ’ s choices to attempt the trip , but it doesn ’ t deter his or her decision to leave war or poverty . Life is still better in Europe .\nThat has been put in sharp focus in Greece . We kicked off the series on the island of Kos , where migrants were steadily streaming in amid an economic crisis that sapped the Greek state 's capacity – or appetite – to house and care for thousands of newcomers . Since then tens of thousands have arrived anyway , with 21,000 showing up in one week in August alone .\n2 . Much of Europe see the migrants as 'the other guy 's ' problem\nGreece and Italy face the physical crush of arrivals , while Germany , Sweden , and Britain are where most migrants want to go . Germany announced this week that it expects 750,000 asylum claims this year , four times more than last year .\nYet in between are nearly two dozen countries that do not see migration as their problem . An EU plan to relocate and resettle some 60,000 migrants has sent much of Europe into an emotional tailspin . One of the countries feeling the brunt of criticism for not doing its part is Britain .\nCentral and Eastern Europe , meanwhile , which have almost no experience with this type of migration , condemned Brussels for placing a burden on their shoulders where they say it doesn ’ t belong – even though emigration has long been that region 's only escape valve . In the end , a broad , mandatory relocation plan was torpedoed in favor of a smaller , voluntary one – which nonetheless continues to rile .\n`` There is no incentive for central European countries to accept relocation . They don ’ t see it as their problem , ” said Elizabeth Collett , director of the Migration Policy Institute Europe in Brussels .\nFor all of the anger directed at Brussels , critics make a valid point too . Europe 's system for accepting migrants doesn ’ t work . The policy that ’ s been most tested is the Dublin Regulation , the European treaty that stipulates that refugees must have their asylum applications processed by the EU country they first set foot in . Though the convention is meant to be mandatory , overloaded periphery countries are turning a blind eye to the migrants who wish to move on , as virtually all do .\nSo the migrants easily leave , and take advantage of another European rule that applies to most countries in the bloc : the passport-free Schengen zone .\nEarlier in the summer , France started checking passports at its frontier with Italy to dissuade migrants from entering – a violation of Schengen rules , particularly as it happened just as Europeans kicked off the summer vacation season .\n“ This is a much wider problem than Schengen , but Schengen is the victim because it becomes a symbol of all the fears , that we are defenseless , ” explained Marc Pierini , a visiting scholar on European policy at Carnegie Europe in Brussels .\nNow many of those same migrants who crossed the Italian-French border are amassing in Calais , at France ’ s northern edge . This time they face a harder task moving onto their final destination , Britain , both because of geography and because Britain is not part of Schengen . Thousands have stormed the Eurotunnel this summer , leaving at least nine dead .\nThis migration crisis has given a high-profile platform to xenophobia . It has led Hungary , where numbers of migrants entering has dramatically spiked , to start building a wall . The Slovakian government said it would accept refugees from Syria but only Christian ones , not Muslims .\nRich Clabaugh/Staff Europe 's migration crisis : The eastern Mediterranean and western Baltic routes\nAnd yet , there are European citizens who are trying to rise above the fear . As the newest flashpoint has appeared in the Balkans , at Greece ’ s border with Macedonia , authorities have tried to keep them back with batons . Meanwhile , one group waits for their arrival – with supplies .\n“ I ’ ve never seen anything like this , ” said Gabriela Andreevska , a young Macedonian who spends most nights at the border , helping the migrants trying to reach the EU . “ So many people sleeping on concrete . They ’ re there , and you can ’ t turn a blind eye . ”\nIn the heated discussion about Europe ’ s migration crisis , which can bleed into the wider debate over security and terrorism , it ’ s easy to forget the most important lesson of all . Each migrant is a person , with families back home and a lifetime of aspiration and regret behind him or her .\nGet the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox . By signing up , you agree to our Privacy Policy\nThe Monitor captured the human element by following the path of two Syrians through Europe ’ s borders until they finally reached northern Europe . Living in a tidy apartment in Germany , well-housed and fed and nearly guaranteed to be granted refugee status , one of them was still anxious ; his mother and sister were still in war-ravaged Syria .\n“ I want to bring my family , and I ’ m just wasting time , ” he said . “ I don ’ t want to see one of them in [ the news ] someday . ”


( CNN ) President Donald Trump will now wait until next week to unveil his new attempt to impose a temporary travel ban on citizens of states he says pose a high risk of terrorism .\nAn administration official said the order , which represents a do-over after Trump 's first attempt was blocked by federal courts , would come by the middle of the week . The order had been expected to emerge sometime this week .\nThe order will form the second thrust of a new administration push to significantly overhaul the shape of the American immigration system , following the release of new memos Tuesday empowering state and local authorities to enforce laws that could eventually lead to mass deportations .\nIt also marks an important moment for Trump 's vision of an expansive executive presidency as he contemplates other areas of sweeping policy action .\nThe significance of this new attempt -- the language of which is expected as soon as Wednesday -- is reflected in the participation of White House Counsel Don McGahn .\nMcGahn 's office had only a cursory look at Trump 's original order , which was written by transition and policy staff . Significantly , Trump 's key political aide Stephen Miller has had much less to do with the second executive order , sources familiar with the matter said , and the Trump administration was communicating with Republicans on Capitol Hill about the legislation .\nAnother administration official disputed the notion that Miller is less involved now , saying he is in fact more involved in this process than the first one .\nTrump 's initial attempt to install a travel ban -- one of his fundamental campaign promises -- was a disaster , halting the administration 's fast start in its tracks .\nJUST WATCHED Iran : Travel ban an affront to the entire nation Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Iran : Travel ban an affront to the entire nation 10:54\nThe move temporarily blocking citizens of Syria , Sudan , Yemen , Iran , Iraq , Somalia and Libya from entering the US unleashed a weekend of chaos at the nation 's airports , after the hurriedly drafted and poorly implemented order caused confusion among border and customs officials about what it actually meant and which classes of travelers were included .\nHis order was quickly halted by the federal courts in a first showdown between his strong-arm executive powers and the judiciary -- leading Trump to belittle judges on Twitter .\nThe showdown inflicted an early blow on the reputation of the new White House and claims that Trump 's expertise as a master dealmaker and businessman would make up for his inexperience in Washington and governance as he set about fundamentally transforming America .\nStung by the scorn of the courts and the political world , the White House eventually retreated to plot a new approach -- one that is likely to be considerably narrower than the initial version . Permanent US residents , or green card holders , for instance , are expected to be exempted from the ban .\nTrump rarely admits an error or apologizes for a misstep . But even he realizes that there is not much he can do but frame a new executive order to satisfy the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ' decision upholding a stay on the order imposed by a federal judge in Seattle .\nHis spokesman Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that the administration would tailor the new order to the ruling of the 9th Circuit and that the new plan was `` basically completed . ''\n`` I think what we 're now doing is working with the various agencies and departments to make sure that the implementation of that is done in an extremely smooth way , '' Spicer said .\nIt is vital for the credibility of the President and a White House that things do indeed go smoothly this time around .\nThis may be the best , last chance for the administration to establish whether it can write an executive order that can honor Trump 's goals but at the same time not fall foul of constitutional due process rights of travelers trying to get into the United States who might be covered by the ban .\nThe White House faces a high bar in drafting the new order because its constitutional interpretation has already proven open to being challenged . The 9th Circuit , for instance , rejected the administration 's argument that the judiciary lacked the authority to block the travel ban as `` contrary to the fundamental structure of our constitutional democracy . ''\nApart from the legal minefield the new order must traverse , the Trump White House has huge political credibility tied up in the travel ban .\nA repeat of angry demonstrations at airports , with tales of travelers being turned back after getting on planes with what they thought were valid visas , would deal another blow to the new administration .\nBy Tuesday , there were initial signs that the administration had started to conduct the widespread consultation among its allies in the House and the Senate that was missing with the initial travel ban .\nA top House Republican aide said the Department of Homeland Security had been in touch with House Speaker Paul Ryan 's office about the new executive order . But it is unclear whether the White House has been engaging with the committees with jurisdiction over immigration and national security .\nKeeping allies in the loop is important because the refashioned executive order is likely to be viewed elsewhere in Washington as an omen for whether the administration is able to pull off the technical , legislative and political lifts needed to implement the promises for fundamental changes in America that Trump vowed as a candidate .\nOf course , there is certain to be anger and controversy once the new order is released -- its opponents will brand it unconstitutional and un-American and the affected nations are likely to vocally protest and may take counter-measures . Lawsuits are already promised .\nBut a smooth implementation process could at least preserve the administration political space to press ahead with a scheme that does garner support from many Americans , especially Trump supporters .\nIt would also spare Capitol Hill Republicans from media interrogations about the White House 's ham-handed unveiling of the original order .\nThere is intense interest in Washington and around the world about how the second executive order will differ from Trump 's initial attempt .\nGoing forward , a new order could also only apply to people who are not yet in the visa process . The new order may apply to all seven nations originally named and could retain a ban on the entry of Syrian refugees , a source on Capitol Hill said .\nThis story has been updated to reflect the latest reporting .


While advocates of immigration reform are eternally optimistic that Congress will pass a bill in 2013 -- even though two influential House Republicans have already poured cold water over hopes of such legislation leaving the chamber -- some opponents of the overhaul are being more cautious in declaring the measure dead .\n“ We can ’ t sign the death certificate just yet , ” said Kristen Williamson , a spokeswoman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform , which favors immigration restrtictions .\nHere ’ s why Williamson said her organization is cautious about declaring comprehensive immigration reform dead .\n“ It ’ s clear that establishment Republicans -- [ Speaker John ] Boehner , [ Majority Whip Kevin ] McCarthy -- aren ’ t ready to commit to no amnesty , ” she said , adding that the speaker hasn ’ t said he will not go to conference with the Senate . “ Republicans are unable to commit to no conference and no amnesty on immigration because they are being pushed by special interest corporations who are trying to be the go-between the White House and Republicans . Until that happens the door is left open . ”\nRepublicans have a series of piecemeal reform bills that satisfy the conservatives ' call for more enforcement , improvements to border security , and an E-verify system to make it impossible for companies to employ undocumented immigrants . Those bills largely avoid the issue of citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. , but some Republicans are flirting with the idea of legal status for immigrants .\nThe Democratic-led Senate passed its vision of immigration reform in June . That measure includes doubling the number of border patrol agents along the Mexican border to about 40,000 and providing a 13-year pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million in the country without papers . Republicans see this pathway as “ amnesty. ” However , the bill has been lingering in the House of Representatives for months now because of Boehner ’ s promise to not put a bill on the floor without a `` majority of the majority '' support .\nIn an attempt to break the impasse and keep the issue at the forefront , House Democrats , led by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California , introduced their own legislation , removing the “ border surge ” in the Senate ’ s bill and replacing it with a bipartisan amendment that passed the House Homeland Security Committee in May . The border security bill from Rep. Michael McCaul requires that the administration draft a border plan for 90 percent apprehension of illegal border crossers in five years .\nBut from FAIR ’ s perspective , any of the House bills can be used a “ vehicle to get amnesty ” via a conference with the Senate legislation .\n“ It ’ s clear that moving forward any new immigration law that tries to improve our legal immigration system and also prevent illegal immigration will not be enforced , ” Williamson said .\nWhile FAIR waits for a commitment from the establishment , Alex Nowrasteh , an immigration policy analyst at libertarian think tank Cato Institute , is a bit more confident that it ’ s likely a no-go this year for immigration reform .\nNowrasteh said that timing is the reason , as there aren ’ t enough legislative days left on the calendar to pass it . There are just 15 legislative days left this year . The momentum the issue had earlier this year among lawmakers was quickly derailed by the Syrian chemical weapons crisis , NSA spying , and the recent government shutdown . Currently , the broken health-care websites and the fact that millions of Americans are losing insurance plans they would like to keep remain the focus of President Barack Obama and his administration . This , after Obama said immigration was among his top priorities , following the reopening of the federal government last month .\n“ Just because it doesn ’ t pass in 2013 does not mean it is dead in 2014 , ” Nowrasteh said . “ I think it will definitely have some legs in 2014 , especially in the early part of the year . ”\nLast week , Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida , one of the key Republican players in the immigration debate , said if lawmakers didn ’ t tackle the issue early next year then “ it flatlines ” because of the 2014 midterm election cycle .\nBut the Cato analyst said anything is possible in 2014 , especially when history shows that the 1990 Immigration Act passed the House in October ( during an election year ) and President Ronald Reagan ’ s 1986 “ amnesty ” act also became law in an election year .\n“ The notion that it ’ s dead because of an election year is a talking point to try and delay reform , rather than serious analysis , ” Nowrasteh said . “ A lot of Republicans are still skeptical about a path to citizenship . ”\nInstead , he added the House is at a point where close to half or a majority of Republicans are in favor of at least legal status for undocumented immigrants . But the leadership needs time to rally the troops and draft the language .\n“ They also need to figure out how much legalization they are going to do , ” Nowrasteh said . “ We expect it to be imperfect so we can debate it . ”\nBut according to Steven Camarota , director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies , reform is dead , whether this year or the next .\nHe , too , thinks that unless Congress schedules more legislative days such a mammoth undertaking is doomed to fail . However , Camarota believes the House will not take up immigration because they just don ’ t have a “ real appetite to do it . ”\n“ Republicans aren ’ t convinced that this is a politically good idea for them , ” he said .\nThough the polls would differ , as they show a majority of Americans favoring reform , Camarota said “ polling is always difficult because it depends on the questions ’ wording . ”\nAnd if polls are anything to go by , then perhaps Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida ’ s popularity decline this summer is a sign for Republicans to stay away from reform .\nAccording to a survey from Rasmussen , Rubio ’ s popularity among Republican voters dropped 10 percentage points in June to 58 percent , after his efforts to pass comprehensive immigration reform .\n“ Republicans know their members don ’ t like it and that the public will fight against them [ if they block it ] , ” Camarota said . “ So there is just no appetite for it . The bottom line is , from Republicans ’ point of view , is focus on Obamacare . The politics is that this thing won ’ t pass this year or next year either . ”\nThat ’ s unless the president decides to exercise his use of executive action to stop deportations of the undocumented . Obama has already said ‘ no ’ to expanding deferred action to unauthorized immigrants .\nEven if Obama changes his mind on that , Camarota said , the president will likely get pushback . Just whether it will be strong enough to stop him is another matter .\n“ I don ’ t know , ” Camarota said . “ As his popularity drops his ability to maneuver on these issues drops too . ”\nFrank Sharry , executive director of advocacy group America ’ s Voice , said he isn ’ t buying into the idea that there aren ’ t enough days left for Congress to act on immigration reform .\n“ We just find it ridiculous that House leadership is saying they have no time when they have nothing else to do , ” he said in a phone interview on Tuesday . “ It just doesn ’ t strike us as credible that they don ’ t have enough time . ”\nRather , Sharry said action on comprehensive immigration reform is a matter of Republicans ’ will versus the number of days on their calendar .\n“ Maybe they don ’ t have enough time for whatever they are cooking up in the back room , ” he said . “ We want them to take floor votes before the end of the year . They have time . There is broad public support in favor of reform . It ’ s in the economic interest of the country . It ’ s in the political interest of the party . They just need to act rationally . At some point the Republican Party has to decide if they are going to let the minority in the party be the tail that wags the dog . ”


But to most of the rest of the world , she 's Marie Yovanovitch , the career diplomat caught up in the blizzard of headlines about Ukraine and President Donald Trump 's possible impeachment .\nUntil a few months ago , she was the tough-minded U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , living in the embassy in Kyiv with her mother Nadia and her dog Scout , she said in a 2017 interview .\nNow , she 's telling her story about being smeared and threatened to millions of Americans watching the House impeachment hearings on television .\nYovanovitch has served under the past six administrations -- both Republican and Democrat -- and won high praise , including the Senior Foreign Service Performance Award six times and the State Department 's Superior Honor Award five times . She was nominated to be U.S. ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and Armenia by George W. Bush and to Ukraine by Barack Obama .\nBut earlier this year , Yovanovitch was attacked in conservative media and by Ukraine 's former public prosecutor , who accused her of giving him a `` do not prosecute '' list and blocking him from traveling to the U.S. to investigate Democrats after she publicly criticized the country 's lack of progress in tackling corruption .\n( MORE : Former Ukraine ambassador felt threatened , told to 'watch my back ' : Deposition )\nThe State Department and U.S. embassy went on record to deny the allegations , and the prosecutor later recanted them . But Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani have repeated them , and they may have influenced Trump 's decision to recall Yovanovitch early from her post in May .\nShe learned only in late September , when the White House released a memo of Trump 's now infamous July 25 with Ukraine 's president , that the president called her `` bad news , '' saying she was `` going to go through some things . ''\nSince then , Yovanovitch , who just turned 61 , indeed , has been going through `` some things . ''\nStill an active Foreign Service officer , she 's been teaching at Georgetown University while the scandal unfolded across Washington -- her name , her photo , and the accusations , coming up repeatedly in news accounts and on television .\nShe was heralded as a hero when she complied with a House subpoena in defiance of the White House -- the first current administration official to do so -- marching to Capitol Hill on Oct. 11 to speak to House impeachment investigators behind closed doors .\nShe learned about being a survivor from her parents , whom she credits as teaching her the values of `` freedom and democracy the U.S . represents . ''\nThey emigrated to North America in the 1940s -- fleeing Nazi and communist regimes in Europe . Young Masha grew up in Kent , Connecticut , according to The Middletown Press , where her parents taught foreign languages at a private boarding school .\n`` My parents survived poverty , war , and displacement , '' she said at her confirmation hearing in 2016 . `` They finally arrived in the United States with me in tow in search of freedom , accountability , and opportunity , the very values that Ukrainians demanded in the revolution of dignity . ''\n( MORE : Former ambassador to Ukraine says Trump had her removed based on 'false claims ' )\nShe told a Connecticut newspaper in 2005 that she first thought about working abroad when she was in school but did n't pursue it until years later , after studying in Moscow and working in advertising in New York . She joined the Foreign Service in 1986 .


Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn ’ t want to impeach President Donald Trump , but a growing number of her members are trying to drag her there .\nDespite repeated pronouncements from the California Democrat that she doesn ’ t want to try to remove Trump from office — including taking a hard line in a series of tense leadership meetings Monday night — Pelosi faces increasing calls from her rank and file to trigger an impeachment inquiry .\n`` It 's time to start , '' said Rep. Joaquin Castro ( D-Texas ) , a member of the House Intelligence Committee .\nIn an effort to mollify the growing pro-impeachment faction , Pelosi will hold a special members-only meeting Wednesday morning to fully brief lawmakers on House Democrats ’ sprawling oversight efforts and investigations .\n`` Speaker Pelosi strongly encourages your boss to attend , '' read a notice sent to members from her office late Tuesday , adding that the meeting would focus on `` the great '' victory Democrats won Monday regarding Trump 's financial records and `` other litigation . ''\nThe members-only huddle is Pelosi 's latest attempt to keep her caucus in line as the White House continues to fuel the conflict with the new House majority over its investigations and more Democrats speak out in favor of impeachment .\nTrump on Tuesday blocked his former White House counsel from testifying in a highly anticipated House Judiciary Committee hearing . Lawmakers on the panel , which has jurisdiction over impeachment proceedings , said former White House counsel Don McGahn 's no-show was an `` inflection point '' in their thinking about what should happen next .\n`` I ’ m not saying this as the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus , '' said Rep. Pramila Jayapal ( D-Wash. ) , a member of the Judiciary Committee backing the push to open an impeachment inquiry .\n`` There are actually a lot of frontline members who are coming up to me and saying ... ' A situation in which the president and the administration can completely , not just undermine , but actually destroy the foundations of checks and balances is something we can ’ t live with . ' ''\nStill , there were some signs late Tuesday that Pelosi 's attempt to buttress leadership 's posture against impeachment was working .\nRep. Steve Cohen , a member of the Judiciary Committee , said he has drafted articles of impeachment and they 're `` ready to go . '' But the Tennessee Democrat later said that without Pelosi 's backing , `` it 's not going to happen . ''\nAnd Rep. David Cicilline ( D-R.I. ) , one of the members of Pelosi ’ s own leadership team who pressed her on impeachment Monday night , was also taking a much more subdued approach on Tuesday .\n“ This isn ’ t a decision that gets to be made by me , ” Cicilline said . “ We recognize that the speaker will make that judgment , and I fully support her , obviously . ”\nThe shift in tone comes after a remarkable few hours on Monday night when Pelosi and other top Democrats clashed with fellow members of the Democratic leadership team — including Cicilline — who pushed to begin impeachment proceedings . And the relative calm may be short-lived as House Democrats and the White House both opened new fronts in their ongoing war Tuesday .\nThe Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas for two former administration aides — Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson — likely setting up another legal battle with Trump . House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff received a last-ditch attempt from the Justice Department to stave off a likely vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for a second time .\nTrump also moved to appeal a Monday court ruling requiring his accounting firm to turn over eight years ' worth of his financial records to the House Oversight Committee .\n`` I don ’ t know what the president ’ s lawyers have up their sleeve . I don ’ t know what ’ s going to happen . I ’ m just going to play it day by day , '' Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings ( D-Md . ) , said . `` I have not been running around declaring victory . I just want to do my job . I don ’ t know what ’ s going to happen . ''\nAnd Democrats are increasingly frustrated with their inability to secure testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller , who is so far wary of testifying .\nCalls for moving toward impeachment surfaced in multiple closed-door meetings Monday , as frustrated members of the Judiciary Committee and other rank-and-file Democrats vented about the White House ’ s repeated stonewalling of their investigations and urged Pelosi to begin the impeachment process .\n“ Yes , we do need to start an inquiry , ” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon ( D-Pa. ) , one of several members of Judiciary who sharpened her stance his week .\n“ I think we ’ re at an inflection point . We ’ re no longer dealing with a president who obstructed the Mueller inquiry . He ’ s now obstructing Congress at every turn including telling witnesses who no longer work for the government that they can not speak about public documents , ” Scanlon said .\nBut at an emergency private meeting later Monday night , Pelosi rejected calls from House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler to move ahead with an impeachment inquiry , according to multiple sources . Nadler was also instructed to tell members of the panel not to bring up the notion of an impeachment inquiry at the panel ’ s high-profile hearing Tuesday , which McGahn skipped , defying a Democratic subpoena .\nAnd not all Judiciary members are on board with opening an impeachment inquiry . Rep. Lucy McBath ( D-Ga. ) hails from a Republican-leaning district and said she worries about the politics of the committee 's Trump investigation every day .\n`` I don ’ t take joy in this process at all , and I ’ m in great angst over this , '' McBath said . `` Nobody wants to see that we ’ re thinking about impeaching the leader of the free world . I don ’ t want to have to do that. ``\nMcBath said the committee should stay focused on efforts to win subpoena fights in court — a push that got a boost Monday when a federal judge ruled that Congress has broad latitude to investigate the president , even without opening an impeachment inquiry .\nReps. Lou Correa ( D-Calif. ) and Zoe Lofgren ( D-Calif. ) similarly suggested that Congress should stay its current course and not immediately pursue impeachment .\nThe issue did not come up at the caucus ’ hour-long meeting Tuesday morning , which focused on the Trump administration ’ s heightened tensions with Iran .\nBut with McGahn defying Democrats , impeachment was on the minds of many rank-and-file members — several of whom said they were warming to the idea of moving toward impeachment .\n“ A couple of more moves like that latest is probably going to push me over . And I don ’ t celebrate it , it ’ s not something that makes me happy , ” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver ( D-Mo . ) said .\nNadler stopped short of endorsing an impeachment push at Tuesday 's empty-chair hearing with McGahn . But he vowed to take action in response .\n“ We will hold this president accountable , one way or the other , ” Nadler said .\nKey members of leadership are also backing the speaker , who worries any impeachment push would distract from the party ’ s agenda and could backfire politically .\n“ It ’ s clear to anybody who ’ s paying attention . We ’ re in the majority because of ... [ members ] who did not run on impeachment , did not run on collusion , did not run on obstruction of justice , ” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries ( D-N.Y. ) said .\n“ That remains the North Star for the overwhelming majority of the House Democratic Caucus , ” he said .\nOther Pelosi allies insisted any movement toward impeachment was mostly contained to the Judiciary Committee .\n“ Judiciary members may be intense . But I fully support Nancy Pelosi where she is right now , ” Rep. Debbie Dingell ( D-Mich. ) said . “ We also have to deliver on prescription drugs and infrastructure , and a partisan impeachment would tear this country apart . ”\nCORRECTION : This story is updated to correct Rep. Lou Correa 's home state ,


House Democrats hoping that former special counsel Robert Mueller Robert ( Bob ) Swan MuellerSchiff : Trump acquittal in Senate trial would not signal a 'failure ' Jeffries blasts Trump for attack on Thunberg at impeachment hearing Live coverage : House Judiciary to vote on impeachment after surprise delay MORE would trigger momentum for impeaching President Trump Donald John TrumpDem lawmaker says Nunes threatened to sue him over criticism Parnas : U.S. ambassador to Ukraine removed to clear path for investigations into Bidens Five takeaways from Parnas 's Maddow interview MORE were met with resistance Wednesday from a witness who often wouldn ’ t even answer lawmakers ’ questions .\nUnlike Mueller ’ s May remarks on his report on Russia ’ s election meddling , his testimony Wednesday did not spark any new major wave behind the movement to oust the president .\nAnd some of the most vocal impeachment proponents said they don ’ t expect Mueller ’ s halting testimony — in which he asked legislators to repeat their questions on multiple occasions and often declined to answer questions at all — to lend any significant new power to the effort .\n“ I think that there were some persons who were hoping for a seminal moment , a wild moment — a wild , gotcha moment , ” said Rep. Al Green Alexander ( Al ) N. GreenThe Memo : Will Iran crisis sideline impeachment process ? Green says House should n't hold impeachment articles indefinitely GOP set to make life difficult for Democrats on impeachment MORE ( D-Texas ) . “ It didn ’ t happen . ”\nGreen , who forced a vote to impeach Trump last week , predicted Mueller ’ s testimony won ’ t prompt any meaningful change in public support for ousting the president . Only launching the process , he argued , would bring more people on board .\n“ I think public sentiment will change significantly once you start the process of impeachment , ” he said .\nRep. Jared Huffman Jared William HuffmanDemocrats reach cusp of impeachment Democrats gear up for high-stakes Judiciary hearing Pelosi heading to Madrid for UN climate change convention MORE ( D-Calif. ) , another impeachment supporter , delivered a similar assessment early in Mueller ’ s testimony .\n“ I did not have super high expectations for this testimony , and I would say it ’ s living up to my low expectations , ” Huffman said . “ He ’ s made it clear in every possible way that he ’ s just not going beyond the words he wrote in his report . ”\nTrump and Republican lawmakers took a victory lap Wednesday after the hearings , ripping Democrats for refusing to move on from the Mueller investigation .\nStill , impeachment backers say they are optimistic that Mueller ’ s testimony will help sway members of the public who aren ’ t familiar with the findings of the special counsel ’ s report . Most Americans , they argue , haven ’ t read the full 448-page report but may have found it easier to watch Wednesday ’ s hearings .\n“ There was no new information relayed today , ” acknowledged Rep. Jamie Raskin Jamin ( Jamie ) Ben RaskinThe Hill 's Morning Report - Trump trial questions ; civil Democratic debate House poised to hand impeachment articles to Senate House to vote Wednesday on sending articles of impeachment to Senate MORE ( D-Md . ) , a House Judiciary Committee member who supports an impeachment inquiry . “ But it was new to about 99 percent of the American people . So it wasn ’ t new to anybody who read it . But most people have not read it . ”\nMueller did offer Democrats some sound bites . He confirmed that Trump “ was not exculpated ” by the report ’ s findings on whether he obstructed justice over the course of the investigation into Russia ’ s election meddling , despite the president ’ s claims to the contrary .\nMueller also confirmed , in response to questioning from a GOP lawmaker , that the president could be charged with obstruction of justice after leaving office .\nAnd Mueller testified that Trump ’ s repeated embrace of WikiLeaks and its distribution of Clinton campaign emails was “ problematic . ”\n“ Problematic is an understatement in terms of what it displays in terms of giving some , I don ’ t know , hope or some boost to what is and should be illegal activity , ” Mueller said .\nBut Mueller declined or deflected dozens of other questions from lawmakers over the course of his testimony .\nRep. Pramila Jayapal Pramila JayapalHouse to investigate Trump 'Remain in Mexico ' policy Democrats do n't expect to do 2020 budget House to vote Thursday on war powers resolution after Iran attacks MORE ( D-Wash. ) , a Congressional Progressive Caucus ( CPC ) co-chairwoman who also serves on the Judiciary Committee , said Democrats needed Mueller to simply state his findings to counter Trump and Attorney General William Barr William Pelham BarrHillicon Valley : Trump turns up heat on Apple over gunman 's phone | Mnuchin says Huawei wo n't be 'chess piece ' in trade talks | Dems seek briefing on Iranian cyber threats | Buttigieg loses cyber chief Appeals court appears wary of letting Trump reinstate death sentences Apple v. Attorney General Barr : Giving feds access to smartphones is a bad call MORE ’ s framing of the report , even if it was largely Democrats reading from the report with Mueller offering terse affirmative responses .\n“ We knew what was in the report , but we needed Mueller to say it because we needed Mueller to agree this was in the findings of this report , ” Jayapal said . “ We really needed to reset the table and reeducate people about what was actually in there , which I think happened . ”\nSpeaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiOn The Money — Presented by Wells Fargo — Trump signs first phase of US-China trade deal | Senate to vote Thursday on Canada , Mexico deal | IRS provides relief for those with discharged student loans House delivers impeachment articles to Senate Senate begins preparations for Trump trial MORE ( D-Calif. ) maintained her position that the House still needs to make a case for impeachment .\n“ My position has always been : whatever decision we make in that regard would have to be done with our strongest possible hand , and we still have some outstanding matters in the courts , ” Pelosi said at a press conference in the Capitol with three top committee chairmen after Mueller ’ s testimony .\nAt least one House Democrat came out in favor of an impeachment inquiry on Wednesday following Mueller ’ s testimony : Rep. Lori Trahan Lori A. Trahan'Minor league cities ' need new federal partnership Ethics panel reviewing freshman Democrat over campaign finance complaint House Democrats inch toward majority support for impeachment MORE ( Mass. ) . Trahan voted in favor of Green ’ s impeachment resolution a week earlier .\n“ Mueller ’ s message to the American people today was clear : his report did not exonerate the president , and that there is ample evidence that the president broke the law by repeatedly engaging in efforts to obstruct the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election , ” Trahan said in a statement .\nMore than 90 House Democrats have come out in favor of an impeachment inquiry , according to a tally kept by ███ . But impeachment backers are still mostly progressives and amount to less than half of the 235-member caucus . Only a half-dozen Democrats representing swing districts have joined the push — and even they all hail from districts carried by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWarren-Sanders fight raises alarm on the left Poll : Trump trails 2020 Democratic contenders in Michigan US company offers free cybersecurity assistance to campaigns MORE in 2016 .\nSome of the most liberal impeachment backers said they ’ re confident Mueller ’ s appearance will build support for the effort , particularly after lawmakers return home this week for the long August recess and hear the voters ’ reaction to the former FBI director ’ s testimony .\n“ This was a pretty critical [ hearing ] for a lot of members who were waiting to see what came out of today . And … going back home this is going to [ be ] brought up to everybody a lot , ” said Rep. Mark Pocan Mark William PocanDemocrats do n't expect to do 2020 budget Rep. Collins says Democrats are 'in love with terrorists , ' 'mourn Soleimani ' Democrats ramp up calls for war powers vote after Iran strike MORE ( D-Wis. ) , a co-chairman of the CPC . “ This is elevating the discussion considerably . ”\nJayapal also sounded bullish that more lawmakers would support an impeachment inquiry after hearing from Mueller .\n“ I just believe that it ’ s hard to listen to all of that and not believe that that ’ s not where we should be , ” Jayapal said .\nHowever , Huffman suggested that Democrats simply haven ’ t been aggressive enough in the first place since Mueller ’ s report was released three months ago to win over public opinion .\n“ So much of this is baked in , and frankly our caucus hasn ’ t tried very hard to move public opinion on these issues . We ’ ve been passive . And we allowed [ Attorney General ] Bill Barr to seize the narrative in a very effective but cynical and I believe disgusting way . And now we ’ re trying to play catch-up , as we try to do this Hamlet act about what to do on impeachment . And we just haven ’ t been very bold or very assertive in any of this , ” Huffman said .


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) speaks during a press briefing in Washington , D.C. , January 17 , 2019 . ( Joshua Roberts/REUTERS )\nIt ’ s only Tuesday , and it feels like a full week already . The biggest obstacle to the U.S. House of Representatives impeaching President Trump is Speaker Nancy Pelosi , and she ’ s refusing to budge ; the Russians cooked up even more ambitious plans to stir up racial hostility in the United States ; and another account from an Obama administration official that suggests Jim Comey exaggerates and stretches the truth when he wants to make himself look good .\nThe Rampart Blocking the Impeachment of Trump Is . . . Nancy Pelosi ?\nAt this rate , Nancy Pelosi is going to regret winning the House of Representatives in 2018 :\nReps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island , Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Joe Neguse of Colorado — all members of Democratic leadership — pushed to begin impeachment proceedings during a leadership meeting in Pelosi ’ s office , said the sources . Pelosi and Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut , Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico , Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Cheri Bustos of Illinois — some of her key allies — rejected their calls , saying Democrats ’ message is being drowned out by the fight over possibly impeaching Trump . Raskin — a former law professor — said he wasn ’ t advocating impeaching Trump but suggested that opening an impeachment inquiry would strengthen their legal position while allowing Democrats to move forward with their legislative agenda . Pelosi dismissed this argument , asking Raskin whether he wanted to shut down the other five committees working on Trump investigations in favor of the Judiciary Committee . “ You want to tell Elijah Cummings to go home ? ” Pelosi quipped , referring to the chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee .\nThese little anecdotes are reassuring , because they indicate to those of us on the right that Democrats don ’ t keep all of their condescension , self-righteousness , sneers , disdain , and contempt stored up to use on us . No , this is just how they talk to everyone , including each other . According to Politico , Steve Cohen basically called Pelosi a coward to her face .\nDuring the Steering and Policy Committee meeting , Cohen said President Bill Clinton faced impeachment proceedings “ over sex ” while Trump is “ raping the country , ” according to two sources in the room . Cohen later confirmed his remarks . Pelosi pushed back on Cohen during the meeting and his assertion that she was simply afraid impeachment would cost her the House majority . “ This isn ’ t about politics at all . It ’ s about patriotism . It ’ s about the strength we need to have to see things through , ” Pelosi said , according to an aide in the room .\nCohen ’ s not alone . One of President Obama ’ s old HUD guys , Brandon Friedman , is out there proclaiming , “ Democrats were sold a bill of goods by Pelosi : Vote for us so we can become the majority and hold Trump accountable . When voters did that , the argument became , ‘ We can ’ t hold Trump accountable because it could jeopardize our majority ! ’ ”\nWhat happens to Pelosi when she ’ s opposed by the pro-impeachment Left and the anti-impeachment Right ?\nNew Papers : Russians Wanted to Create African-American Separatist Group for Sabotage\nThis month turned out a good time to be focus on Russian disinformation . NBC News offers a new look at some of the ambitions of the Russians at the Internet Research Agency , beyond the 2016 U.S. elections :\nThe documents — communications between associates of Yevgeny Prigozhin , a Kremlin-linked oligarch indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller for previous influence operations against the U.S. — laid out a new plot to manipulate and radicalize African-Americans . The documents contained proposals for several ways to further exacerbate racial discord in the future , including a suggestion to recruit African-Americans and transport them to camps in Africa “ for combat prep and training in sabotage. ” Those recruits would then be sent back to America to foment violence and work to establish a pan-African state in the Southern U.S. , including South Carolina , Georgia , Alabama , Mississippi and Louisiana . There is no indication that the plan — which is light on details — was ever put into action , but it offers a fresh example of the mindset around Russian efforts to sow discord in the U.S .\nOne aspect of the mindset it reveals is that ethno-nationalists think everyone else sees the world in ethno-nationalist terms .\nThere are roughly 47 million African-Americans in the United States . No doubt somewhere in that mix you could find some who be attracted to the idea of a pan-African state spread across five southern states . I ’ m not African-American and shouldn ’ t presume to know how every member of this group would react . But I suspect quite a few would think , “ Wait , why would I want that ? I already have a country . I ’ ve already put a lot into building my life in this country . We put a lot of blood , sweat and tears into ending separate but equal , particularly in those five states ! Why would I want to create my own separate country through violence instead of trying to change and improve the one I ’ m in ? ”\nAlso note that while the Russians were discussing this idea , they were also promoting the secession of Texas and other Southern states through the Facebook group “ Heart of Texas. ” No doubt , they would love to see the United States paralyzed by warring internal factions , each refusing to compromise and attempting to break away .\nA key point in my talk is that when you ’ re trying to differentiate between foreign disinformation or propaganda efforts and genuine homegrown political activism , foreign disinformation rarely focuses on any solutions , and when they do , it ’ s the most extreme option .\nA significant portion of the IRA ’ s efforts targeted African-Americans and focused on the issue of police brutality and shootings . The examples of Philando Castile , Eric Garner , and Walter Scott make clear that when African Americans face an encounter with the police , they have reason to fear that even the smallest misunderstanding or misstep could have unjust and deadly consequences . But most African-Americans deeply upset about this are thinking about the best way to address it . More African-American police officers ? A country where every cop wears a body camera ? Federal civil-rights prosecutions , as seen in South Carolina ? More police training ? Some mix of all of these ?\nWhat you haven ’ t heard is African-Americans declaring that the appropriate response is to form their own country .\nOne of my big points in my talk last week was that the Russians at the Internet Research Agency had only studied American culture from a distance . They ’ re trying to manipulate us , but they don ’ t really understand us — and as a result , their efforts are going to be a little clumsy , heavy-handed , and not quite sound right to American ears .\nOne last point : In addition to his ties to the Internet Research Agency , Yevgeny Prigozhin is also tied to the Wagner Group . Depending upon who you ask , the Wagner group is a private military contractor like Blackwater , or an off-the-books army of Vladimir Putin , deploying to places like Ukraine , Syria , Libya , Sudan , and perhaps Venezuela .\nA murky aura persists around Wagner and the man who is thought to own it . A balding 57-year-old who often manages to be photographed scowling , Yevgeny Prigozhin is an example of how people close to Putin build their wealth — and then are deployed as useful tools . He was a little-known restaurateur until he appeared in Putin ’ s orbit in the early 2000s and began serving the autocrat during visits by foreign dignitaries . Prigozhin became a powerful businessman as he received a steady stream of catering contracts from the state . Often referred to in the local press as “ Putin ’ s chef , ” he is now seen as a key member of Putin ’ s inner circle .\nThese perks come with strings attached , according to Stephen Blank , a Russia expert who has been researching the Wagner Group for the U.S , Army War College . He sees Prigozhin as an example of how Putin has weaponized Russia ’ s wealthy elites . “ They ’ re subordinate to the state , and they keep their money and their positions on the condition that they serve the state , ” he said .\nLoretta Lynch : I Never Wanted to Create the Federal Bureau of Matters\nRemember Jim Comey ’ s anecdote of attorney general Loretta Lynch telling him to refer the investigation of Hillary Clinton as a “ matter ” and not as and “ investigation ” ?\nFor what it ’ s worth , Lynch says it didn ’ t happen the way Comey described :\nQ : Are you familiar with his — I think he ’ s testified to this — that you instructed , I believe in September of 2015 , Director Comey to call the Midyear Exam investigation a matter ? Lynch : I heard his testimony on it and that was the first time that he had ever indicated to me , in my understanding — he may have told 17 others — that he had that impression of our conversation . Q : So you do not believe you ever instructed him to call it a matter ? Lynch : I did not . I have never instructed a witness as to what to say specifically . Never have , never will… I didn ’ t direct anyone to use specific phraseology . When the Director asked me how to best to handle that , I said : What I have been saying is we have received a referral and we are working on the matter , working on the issue , or we have all the resources we need to handle the matter , handle the issue . So that was the suggestion that I made to him .\nOh , come on . What are the odds that Jim Comey would exaggerate or stretch the truth a little to create a story that paints him as the last honest man in Washington ?\nADDENDUM : In case you missed it late yesterday , ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro , who took over running the network in March 2018 , told the Los Angeles Times , “ Without question our data tells us our fans do not want us to cover politics . My job is to provide clarity . I really believe that some of our talent was confused on what was expected of them . If you fast-forward to today , I don ’ t believe they are confused . ”


House Democratic leaders on Wednesday said they were not in a rush to hand off impeachment to the Senate , demanding a fair process .\n“ The question is now whether Senator McConnell will allow a fair trial in the Senate , ” House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Adam B. Schiff said . “ A trial that should be fair to the president , yes , but should be fair also to the American people . ”\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the next step for the House — naming impeachment managers — can not occur until they know what the process will look like in the next chamber . It ’ s unclear how long Democrats will hold the articles in the House .\n“ We can not name managers until we see what the process is on the Senate side . … So far , we haven ’ t seen anything that looks fair to us , ” the California Democrat said .\nA delay in sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate raises a host of questions .\nThe House has the power to impeach , but it takes a Senate trial to convict and remove a president from office .\nIt was unclear how , or even whether , a delay would pressure the Senate to adopt Democrat-friendly procedures for a trial .\nThe move also appeared to run afoul of the Constitution that Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , said she was protecting when pushing through the impeachment of Mr. Trump .\nThe Constitution says the Senate “ shall have the sole power to try all impeachments . ”\nWhile House Democrats wouldn ’ t detail all of their criteria for how the Senate proceedings should unfold , Mrs. Pelosi said it ’ s not a fair process right now as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is coordinating and “ in cahoots ” with the White House .\nBoth President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer have called for an extended trial with witnesses called to testify , but Mr. McConnell and Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey Graham prefer to have a streamlined process .\nThe comments from Mrs. Pelosi and her committee chairs came immediately after Democrats voted to impeach the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .\n“ I could not be more proud or more inspired by the moral courage of House Democrats . We never asked one of them how they were going to vote . We never whipped this vote , ” the speaker said .


“ I think Kamala Harris will compete well . But a lot will depend on whether Democrats think it ’ s less risky to nominate an old white guy instead of a younger woman of color , ” says Dianne Bystrom , a longtime observer of presidential campaigns and women in politics . “ It may come down to that . ”\nThe California senator ’ s struggles reflect the unwieldy nature of this historically large Democratic field . With 24 hopefuls traipsing around the early voting states and showing up at cattle calls , making an impression – even for the most promising contenders – is proving to be a real challenge . Senator Harris has also been faulted for “ pandering ” to the left and failing to communicate a core message . But for many Democratic voters , it may come down to the bottom line : Who can beat President Donald Trump ?\nKamala Harris connects well in person and on camera . At a campaign swing through California , she hugged , sashayed , and smiled her way through events . Her delivery is crisp and on point . Yet since launching her presidential campaign to great fanfare and an enormous crowd of 20,000 in Oakland , California , in January , she has been stuck in the lower tier of candidates . Recent polls show her support at or below 10 % .\nKamala Harris has always been a trailblazer . As the daughter of immigrant parents – her mother came from India and her father from Jamaica – she was the first woman elected ( twice ) as California ’ s attorney general , and the second African American woman elected to the United States Senate , which she entered two years ago . From the moment she got there , the chattering classes began speculating about White House ambitions .\nThose lofty expectations seemed justified when she launched her presidential campaign in Oakland , California , in January , drawing an enormous crowd of about 20,000 people . She ’ s since brought in some big endorsements , including California Gov . Gavin Newsom , and an impressive fundraising haul .\nWhat Senator Harris hasn ’ t been able to do of late is break past 10 % in national polls .\nThe California senator ’ s struggle to gain momentum reflects the unwieldy nature of this historically large Democratic field . With 24 hopefuls traipsing around the early voting states and giving back-to-back speeches at cattle calls like the recent Democratic Hall of Fame dinner in Iowa and the party convention in California , making an impression – even for the most promising contenders – is proving to be a real challenge .\nSenator Harris has also been faulted for “ pandering ” to the left and appearing overly cautious on the trail . In a field with relatively few big policy differences between them , observers say it ’ s vital for candidates to communicate core beliefs and a clear sense of identity . But ultimately , for many Democratic voters , it all may come down to the same bottom line : Who can beat President Donald Trump ?\n“ You have to have a message that resonates , ” says Dianne Bystrom , a longtime observer of presidential campaigns and women in politics .\n“ She ’ s got great communication skills , ” Dr. Bystrom says of Senator Harris , but “ I don ’ t think she ’ s as specific about her message as [ Massachusetts Sen. ] Elizabeth Warren is. ” She adds that Senator Harris needs to “ further define herself . ”\nOf course , it ’ s early yet , and the upcoming debates – the first of which will take place at the end of this month – could offer many second- or third-tier candidates a chance to break out of the pack . Former Vice President Joe Biden is widely regarded as a weak front-runner , and most political observers believe the landscape could shift substantially before Democratic voters start casting ballots early next year .\nJim Messina , former President Barack Obama ’ s campaign manager , famously commented on MSNBC in April that if Senator Harris were a stock , he ’ d “ buy her ” – in other words , seeing a future rise as a good bet .\nIn Iowa , the latest Des Moines Register/CNN poll has Senator Harris well behind Vice President Biden , as well as behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , Senator Warren , and South Bend , Ind. , Mayor Pete Buttigieg . Yet it also found her tied with Senator Warren as the top second choice of Iowa Democrats . Heading into the caucuses , that can be a sign of hidden strength .\nStill , being voters ’ second choice is not the same as being their first choice .\nElijah Nouvelage/Reuters Young women react to meeting Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris at a meet-and-greet for women voters in Birmingham , Alabama , June 7 , 2019 .\nAt the recent California Democratic convention in San Francisco , James Smith , a firefighter from Long Beach , says Senator Harris is “ great ” but “ not for 2020. ” He ’ s standing behind the International Association of Firefighters endorsement of Vice President Biden . “ He ’ s a friend of labor , ” says Mr. Smith . “ Joe ’ s our guy . ”\nAlex Núñez , of Mountain View , raves about Senator Harris ’ performance interrogating Attorney General William Barr at a Senate hearing last month , an exchange that went viral on social media . As a former prosecutor , “ she has a unique skill set , ” he says . But he doesn ’ t envision her as president – more like a future attorney general who might someday prosecute President Trump .\n“ She ’ s forceful , ” agrees Roberta , a retiree from New York who says she does not want her last name used for fear of becoming the target of a Trump tweet . Coming out of an event for Senator Sanders in Pasadena , California , she says she ’ s a fan of Senator Harris and finds her “ very believable. ” Still , she can ’ t commit to backing her . “ I ’ m in a quandary . I don ’ t know who to vote for . ”\nSenator Harris connects well in person and on camera . At a recent campaign swing through California , she hugged , sashayed , and smiled her way through events , continually throwing the praise back at her supporters – whether they were immigrant activists or union members . Her delivery is crisp and on point .\nWhen a man jumped onstage at a MoveOn forum in San Francisco and grabbed the microphone from her , the former district attorney kept her cool , calmly walking away as others – including her husband – hustled the man offstage .\nIn her stump speeches , she focuses on pocketbook and equality issues , particularly for women and women of color . She proposes a monthly tax credit of $ 500 for families earning less than $ 100,000 a year ; a big boost for teacher salaries ; and equal pay for women – with companies on the hook to prove they comply or else pay a fine .\nYet having detailed policy positions is not the same as having a message , warns Bill Carrick , a Democratic strategist in Los Angeles . “ The message has to be part of who you are , what you stand for , what you believe in , what your values are . ”\nMr. Carrick describes the revolutionary Senator Sanders as a “ classic stand-up-for-the-little-guy , a lefty , with policy underneath it all. ” Similarly , Senator Warren has the “ total package ” – someone who belongs in the hall of fame of policy wonks in her fight against corporations and who is also emotionally driven by this fight .\nFormer Vice President Biden is another strong persona , “ somebody who can bring us together , get things done , and most importantly , win . ”\nWhen asked about Senator Harris , Mr. Carrick pauses . “ I ’ m not sure what her message actually is . And that ’ s really a challenge . ”\nLately , she has been trying some new approaches . At the California Democratic convention , she leaned much more into an anti-Trump message , built around a series of “ truths ” about President Trump ’ s “ lies ” and calling for the start of impeachment proceedings .\nAt the Iowa dinner last weekend , she furthered this line of attack – emphasizing her prosecutorial chops and portraying President Trump as having “ defrauded ” the American people when it comes to health care , taxes , and national security .\n“ I am prepared to make the case for America and to prosecute the case against Donald Trump , ” the former district attorney said .\nThe rhetorical shift may be in response to critics who ’ ve been arguing she ought to present herself as a pragmatist . Her main competitor in the race is not Senator Sanders , these critics say , but Vice President Biden . They argue that she made a serious error in pandering to the left , pulled there in part by her sister , Maya Harris , her progressive campaign chairwoman .\nSenator Harris has supported liberal causes such as Medicare for All , the Green New Deal , and the decriminalization of sex work , and she has indicated an openness to reparations for slavery , as well as having a “ conversation ” about voting rights for violent felons . In several cases , she ’ s later had to walk back her comments or try to clarify .\nIt is a pattern similar to her record on some issues in California , when she changed positions on the death penalty and stepped back from her controversial policy to punish parents for their children ’ s truancy , which resulted in a few parents going to jail .\nDavid Axelrod , a former top adviser to President Obama , has criticized Senator Harris for being overly cautious in answering questions – trying to have things both ways . He told the Los Angeles Times that “ she ’ s a brilliant person , ” but “ what we ’ ve learned so far is that she ’ s great at asking questions but timid at answering them . ”\nGet the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox . By signing up , you agree to our Privacy Policy\nSenator Harris ’ fans are fervent in their support , and say she is facing strong winds of sexism and racism – a point that Dr. Bystrom , who ’ s now retired from Iowa State University in Ames , also makes . After Hillary Clinton lost to President Trump in the Electoral College , the possibility of losing again is making some Democrats “ very nervous ” about nominating a woman , and a woman of color , Dr. Bystrom believes .\n“ I think Kamala Harris will compete well . But a lot will depend on whether Democrats think it ’ s less risky to nominate an old white guy instead of a younger woman of color , ” she says . “ I think it may come down to that . ”


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani defended the nuclear deal with Western powers Saturday and said that U.S. President Donald Trump could not undermine it .\nUnder the 2015 deal , Iran agreed to limit its disputed nuclear programme in return for the easing of economic sanctions .\nHowever , Trump is expected to announce soon that he will decertify the deal , a senior administration official has said , in a step that potentially could cause the accord to unravel .\n`` In the nuclear negotiations and agreement we reached issues and benefits that are not reversible . No one can turn that back , not Mr. Trump or anyone else , '' Rouhani said at a ceremony at Tehran University marking the start of the university academic year , according to state media .\n`` Even if 10 other Trumps are created in the world , these are not reversible . ''\nTrump , who has called the pact an `` embarrassment '' and `` the worst deal ever negotiated '' , has been weighing whether the deal serves U.S. security interests as he faces the Oct. 15 deadline for certifying that Iran is complying with its terms .\nThe prospect of Washington reneging on the deal has worried some of the U.S. allies that helped negotiate it , especially as the world grapples with another nuclear crisis , North Korea 's nuclear and ballistic missile development .\nIf Trump does not certify that Iran is in compliance , the U.S. Congress will have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions waived under the deal . U.N. inspectors have verified Iranian compliance with the terms .\nRouhani said Saturday that if the United States violated the deal then it would hurt its own reputation in the international community .\n`` If America carries out any violations today , the whole world will condemn America . They will not condemn Iran , '' Rouhani said , according to state media . `` Then they will say why did you trust America and sign an agreement with them ? ''\nSeparately , former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami has been forbidden from attending `` public political , cultural and promotional ceremonies '' , for a period of three months , two of his lawyers told the Iranian Labour News Agency ( ILNA ) on Saturday .\nKhatami has long been a lightning rod of criticism for hardliners who accuse him of fomenting unrest in the protests that followed the disputed election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009 . Local media are forbidden from quoting Khatami in articles or publishing his image .\nThe new restrictions were issued by Iranian security forces , Khatami 's lawyers told ILNA , and there does not appear to be any judicial mechanism to dispute the restrictions .\nIn the lead-up to the presidential election last May , Khatami posted a message online encouraging his supporters to vote for Rouhani .\nRouhani made a reference to the new restrictions placed on Khatami during his speech Saturday but did not name him .\n`` If anybody repeats that people should come to the ballot box , they should be punished ? '' he said , according to ILNA .\nKhatami 's lawyers told ILNA that the restrictions began on the first day of the Iranian month of Mehr , which is Sept. 23 . ( Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh ; Editing by Alison Williams )


Egypt 's new president has backed away from an announcement that pro-reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei would be the interim prime minister .\nA spokesman for interim President Adly Mansour , Ahmed el-Musilamani , told reporters on Saturday that consultations were continuing , denying that the appointment of the Nobel Peace laureate was ever certain .\nHowever , reporters gathered at the presidential palace were ushered in to a room where they were told by official to wait for the president who would arrive shortly to announce ElBaradei 's appointment .\nA senior opposition official , Munir Fakhry Abdelnur , tells The Associated Press that the reversal was because the ultraconservative Salafi el-Nour party objected to ElBardei 's appointment and mediation was underway .\nEarlier Mansour held crisis talks with security officials on efforts to reclaim control of the streets .\nMore On This ... Key events in Egypt ’ s uprising and unrest\nAfter a night of clashes that claimed at least 36 lives and injured more than 200 , both sides appeared to be preparing for the possibility of more violence as Egypt 's political unraveling increasingly left little room for middle ground or dialogue . Only a fraction of Cairo 's normally heavy traffic was on the streets amid worries that violence could flare up again .\nSecurity forces stepped up their presence near the largest concentration of Morsi supporters on the streets : A sit-in outside a mosque in Cairo 's eastern Nasr City district , a traditionally Muslim Brotherhood stronghold .\nIn Nasr City lines of fighters brandished homemade weapons and body armor at road blocks affixed with Morsi 's picture .\nNext door in the relatively upscale Heliopolis district , people chanted against Morsi and honked car horns in appreciation of roadblocks manned by Egypt 's military -- whose snub of Morsi 's authority earlier this week tipped the scales against Egypt 's first elected leader .\nIn a further sign of the concern the unrest could spin out of control , Mansour , held talks with the army chief and Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi as well as Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim .\nIt was the first time Mansour has worked out of the president 's main offices since he was sworn-in Thursday as the country 's interim leader .\nMansour also met with leaders of Tamrod , or Rebel , the youth movement that organized the mass anti-Morsi demonstrations , according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity .\nGunmen shot dead a Christian priest Saturday while he shopped for food in an outdoor market in the northern Sinai Peninsula Saturday .\nIt was not immediately clear if the shooting was linked to the political crisis , but there has been a backlash against Christians since just before and after Morsi 's ouster . Attacks have occurred on members of the minority by Islamists in at least three provinces south of Egypt . Morsi 's Brotherhood and hard-line allies claim the Christians played a big part in inciting against the ousted leader .\nOfficials have briefly detained top figures from Morsi 's Muslim Brotherhood and have kept him from the public eye , under detention in an undisclosed location .\nMorsi 's supporters have vowed to take to the streets until he is reinstated . His opponents , meanwhile , have called for more mass rallies to defend what they call the `` gains of June 30 , '' a reference to the start of massive protests to call for the ouster of the president .\nThere were no reports of major clashes after dawn Saturday , following a night of street battles that added to an overall death toll of at least 75 in the past week .\nThe Interior Ministry reported that at least eight policemen have been killed since June 30 .\nThe Health Ministry official ’ s deputy , Khairat el-Shater , considered the most powerful figure in the organization , was arrested in a Cairo apartment along with his brother on allegations of inciting violence , Interior Ministry spokesman Hani Abdel-Latif told The Associated Press .\nEgyptian troops reportedly opened fire on Morsi supporters Friday outside Republican Guard headquarters near Cairo , where Morsi was believed held . There were initially conflicting reports on casualties , but an army spokesman denied troops shot at Morsi supporters , saying only blanks and teargas were used .\nCrowds of Islamists gathered to cross a bridge over the Nile River after nightfall and clashed with Morsi opponents near Tahrir Square and outside the state TV building . TV images showed groups of youths running and fireworks going off near the bridge . One witness reported stone throwing and gunfire .\nIn a dramatic appearance -- his first since Morsi 's ouster -- the supreme leader of the Muslim Brotherhood defiantly vowed the president would return . `` God make Morsi victorious and bring him back to the palace , '' Mohammed Badie proclaimed from a stage before a crowd of cheering supporters at a Cairo mosque . `` We are his soldiers we defend him with our lives . ''\nBadie , who was taken into custody shortly after Morsi was ousted , addressed the military , saying it was a matter of honor for it to abide by its pledge of loyalty to the president , in what appeared to be an attempt to pull it away from its leadership that removed Morsi . `` Your leader is Morsi ... Return to the people of Egypt , '' he said . `` Your bullets are not to be fired on your sons and your own people . ''\nState prosecutors said that Morsi would face an investigation next week into claims that he `` insulted the presidency . ''\nMorsi was ousted in what was described by the presidential palace as a `` complete military coup . '' The White House has not labeled Morsi ouster a coup . Doing so would have U.S. aid implications .\nMorsi said on his presidential Facebook page that the military 's action `` presents a military coup and it is unacceptable . ''\nThe U.S. State Department condemned the violence and called on all Egyptian leaders to denounce the use of force and prevent further bloodshed among their supporters .


On Thursday , the United States revealed that it now has `` high confidence '' that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons against rebel forces .\nThis is a significant development because President Obama has often said that such a finding would cross a `` red line '' in the civil war that has killed at least 93,000 .\nThe big , looming question today is : Now what ? We 'll keep trying to answer that question throughout the day . But we 'll start with a rundown of the latest developments :\n-- Small Arms ? : During a press conference with reporters on Thursday , Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes would not give details as to the type of `` military support '' the United States would now provide rebels .\nQuoting `` American officials , '' The New York Times reports today that the Obama administration has decided to supply the rebels with `` small arms and ammunition . '' For now , the Times reports , the administration has not decided whether it will supply rebels with antitank weapons . The paper adds that anti-aircraft weapons are `` not under consideration . ''\n-- Less Than Expected : NPR 's Deborah Amos , who has been covering the conflict , tells Morning Edition that for the rebels , the new U.S. position is `` less than expected . ''\nThe rebels have been asking for heavy weaponry that could take on the kind of fire power Bashar Assad has .\n`` For them it 's an incremental shift , '' Deb said . They are much more focused on the upcoming battle for Aleppo .\n-- U.K. Support : Rhodes also said the United States would begin to work with the international community . Today , British Prime Minister David Cameron said they share the `` candid assessment '' by the United States .\n`` I think it , rightly , puts back center stage the question , the very difficult question to answer but nonetheless one we have got to address : what are we going to do about the fact that in our world today there is a dictatorial and brutal leader who is using chemical weapons under our noses against his own people . ''\n-- Questioning Intelligence : U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he opposes military aid to the rebels . Not only that , but he cast some doubt on the U.S. intelligence assessment that found the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons .\n`` The validity of any information on the alleged use of chemical weapons can not be ensured without convincing evidence of the chain-of-custody , '' Ban said , while calling for the on-the-ground investigation to continue .\n-- The Question Of Russia : Russia has been Assad 's most ardent supporter — on several occasions thwarting attempts by the United Nations to step into the situation . As The Telegraph reports , the Kremlin has maintained there should be no foreign intervention in Syria .\nThe paper reports that MP Alexei Pushkov , the chairman of the Russian State Duma 's international affairs committee , was unconvinced by the evidence of chemical weapons use . Pushkov said on Twitter , according to The Telegraph :\n`` Information about the use by Assad of chemical weapons has been fabricated in the same place as the lies about ( Saddam ) Hussein 's weapons of mass destruction ... Obama is taking the same path as George Bush . `` Why would Assad use ' a small quantity ' of sarin against the fighters ? What would be the point ? ! In order to give a reason for outside intervention ? There 's no logic in that . ''\n-- Diplomacy Still An Option : NPR 's Michele Kelemen reports that Secretary of State John Kerry has not given up on Russia . Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Obama are set to meet next week .\nNPR 's Deb Amos adds that this announcement by the United States comes just after the rebels suffered a significant defeat in the city of Qusair . Some worried , Deb said , that such a victory would embolden the Assad regime to walk away from the peace talks they had agreed to .\n`` This announcement appears to be an attempt to recalibrate the balance of power on the ground , but still in the service of a negotiated settlement , '' she said .\n-- A No Fly Zone : The Wall Street Journal reports that among the options for the United States is setting up a no-fly zone over Syria . The paper says :\n`` Asked by the White House to develop options for Syria , military planners have said that creating an area to train and equip rebel forces would require keeping Syrian aircraft well away from the Jordanian border . `` To do that , the military envisages creating a no-fly zone stretching up to 25 miles into Syria which would be enforced using aircraft flown from Jordanian bases and flying inside the kingdom , according to U.S . officials . ''\n-- 'Caravan Of Lies ' : Reuters reports that the Syrian Foreign Ministry called the White House statement about the use of chemical weapons a `` caravan of lies . '' The ministry also said the decision by the United States to provide military support for the rebeles reveals a `` flagrant double standard '' when it comes to how it deals with terrorism .


New Leader Of Iraq Is Nominated , But Maliki Insists He 'll Stay In Office\nIraq 's president has asked the parliament 's deputy speaker to form a new government , after members of the Shiite coalition that had backed Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki nominated the deputy , Haider al-Abadi , to the post Monday .\nThe move adds more uncertainty to a country beset by extremist militants in the north and sectarian divisions elsewhere . Maliki , who wants to serve a third term , has said he wo n't step down . In the U.S. , officials say it 's time for a leader to govern Iraq by consensus .\nThe White House has issued this description of a call made today :\n`` Vice President Joe Biden called Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi to congratulate him on his nomination to form a new government and develop a national program pursuant to Iraq 's constitutional process . The Prime Minister-designate expressed his intent to move expeditiously to form a broad-based , inclusive government capable of countering the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant , and building a better future for Iraqis from all communities . The Vice President relayed President Obama 's congratulations and restated his commitment to fully support a new and inclusive Iraqi government , particularly in its fight against ISIL . The two leaders also discussed practical steps towards fully activating the bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement in all of its fields , including economic , diplomatic , and security cooperation . Prime Minister-designate Abadi thanked Vice President Biden for the call , and they agreed to stay in regular communication as the government formation process proceeds . ''\nEarlier Monday , Maliki filed a complaint against President Fuad Masum , accusing him of not asking Maliki to form a government by Sunday 's constitutional deadline . A court ruled in Maliki 's favor today — but Masum , who is Kurdish , then asked the parliament 's deputy speaker , al-Abadi , to form a government , after Abadi was nominated by other Shiite politicians to replace Maliki .\nAbadi has the support of Iraq 's National Shiite Alliance — a group that would normally include Maliki 's State of Law party , the AP reports . But Maliki is insisting that his party should decide who leads the country .\n`` Troops loyal to Maliki redeployed overnight throughout Baghdad , '' Alison Meuse reports for NPR 's Newscast unit . `` An eyewitness says there are now tanks near the president 's residence . Maliki has assumed control of most branches of the armed forces during eight years in power . ''\n`` A State Department spokesperson says the U.S. is closely watching the political situation in Iraq – and supports the country 's president , Fuad Masum , as the guarantor of the Iraqi constitution . `` Prime Minister Malaki accuses Masoum of violating the constitution and is vowing to seek another term despite pressure from Kurds , Sunnis and some fellow Shi ' a to step aside . The U.S. and many others accuse Maliki of pursing a sectarian agenda that has alienated Sunnis and emboldened the extremist group the Islamic State . `` In her statement , U.S. spokesperson Marie Harf says the U.S. would support a new and inclusive government . She calls that the best way to unify the country against the Islamic State . ''\nThe fight against the Islamic State has included U.S. airstrikes that continued over the weekend , giving new momentum to Kurdish fighters who say they 've taken two cities back from the Sunni extremists .\nToday , Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said the airstrikes in northern Iraq have been `` very effective . '' Currently on a visit to Australia , Hagel told reporters that the Islamic State is `` a threat to the civilized world , to , certainly to the United States , to our interests — it is to Europe , it is to Australia . ''\nThe U.S. has also airdropped humanitarian aid to thousands of Iraqi religious minorities who were trapped in a mountain range after fleeing the Islamic State 's advance . The U.S. says it has conducted at least four airdrops of more than 74,000 meals and 15,000 gallons of drinking water .


Story highlights Official says the powerful explosion was caused by a car bomb -- state media\nThe blast hit central Benghazi on the anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Consulate\nThe explosion damaged a Foreign Ministry building and a bank branch , a witness says\nThe Central Bank of Libya says one of its security guards was slightly injured\nA car bomb exploded outside a Foreign Ministry building in the Libyan city of Benghazi Wednesday , state media said , on the anniversary of an assault on the U.S. Consulate there that killed four Americans , including Ambassador Christopher Stevens .\nThe blast did not cause any casualties but blew away large parts of the building 's facade , said Col. Abdullah Al Zaydi , spokesman for the Joint Security Task Force in Benghazi , according to Libya 's state news agency , LANA .\nAl Zaydi said the explosion was very powerful and destroyed the vehicle used for the bombing , which contained a large quantity of explosives , the news agency said .\nThe blast also damaged a branch of the Central Bank of Libya and slightly injured one of its security guards , the bank said .\nThe branch director , Abdel Qader Mohammed , said the explosion caused `` material damage '' to the building , but its computer systems were not affected .\nJUST WATCHED Video wrongly blamed for Benghazi attack Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Video wrongly blamed for Benghazi attack 04:54\nJUST WATCHED Paying the political price for Benghazi Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Paying the political price for Benghazi 02:53\nBenghazi resident Sami Berriwen told CNN he heard the blast in the eastern city at about 7 a.m .\nBerriwen , a university student , said that if the explosion had happened just an hour later , the street would have been full of people . He said most Benghazi residents walk the street to get to school and to work , but because it was early , no one was out yet .\nBerriwen said he saw a fire truck but no casualties or ambulances at the scene .\nDiplomatic missions and security officials have repeatedly been the targets of attacks in Benghazi , leading most Westerners to leave .\nIn January , gunmen targeted the car of the Italian consul general in Benghazi , but no one was injured . Bomb attacks also occurred last year on a U.N. convoy , as well as on a convoy carrying the British ambassador . In November , unknown gunmen assassinated the city 's temporary security director .\nOther towns and cities , including the capital , Tripoli , have also seen frequent attacks .\nIn recent days , scores of U.S. Marines were moved closer to Libya to help beef up security before of the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States and the first anniversary of the attack on the Benghazi consulate .\nTwo U.S. officials told CNN on Monday that 250 combat-ready Marines had moved from their base in Moron , Spain , to the U.S. naval installation at Sigonella , Italy . That would enable them to reach Tripoli in three to four hours in the event of a crisis .\nOther U.S. forces are helping boost security at various embassies in the region , since the period around September 11 is seen as a time of greater threat to U.S. interests .\nThe attack at the Benghazi compound has been a political flashpoint in a long-running battle between the administration and Republicans , who accuse it of not bolstering security before the attack , of botching the response to it and of misleading the public for political gain before the November 2012 election .\nA report by the U.N. secretary-general on the U.N. Support Mission in Libya , released this month , highlights the continuing security concerns and political polarization in Libya following the overthrow of strongman leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 .\nThe status of the revolutionary fighters who helped to oust Gadhafi remains unclear , the process of transitional justice is almost stalled , the country 's borders are leaky and there are many unsecured weapons , adding to the instability , it said .\n`` The continuing volatile security situation in Libya in general , and in the eastern and southern parts of the country in particular , is a source of grave concern , '' it said .\n`` Targeted political assassinations , criminal activity and attacks and threats against the diplomatic community continue to plague the country , including Tripoli . The protection of the civilian population and the enforcement of law need to be reaffirmed as a national priority . ''


Story highlights New York Times site still experiencing problems following Tuesday outage\nSyrian Electronic Army takes credit for New York Times attack\nTwitter also experienced problems on Tuesday due to a similar attack\nThe New York Times website was still experiencing some issues late Wednesday and early Thursday following a widespread outage . Evidence continued to mount that it was the result of an attack by the Syrian Electronic Army .\nThe group , loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad , has been behind multiple attacks on media websites in recent months and , on Twitter , took credit for a sophisticated hack that had hobbled the Times ' news site for roughly 20 hours .\n`` The @ nytimes attack was going to deliver an anti-war message but our server could n't last for 3 minutes , '' the group posted on its Twitter feed at about 9:40 Wednesday morning .\nThe attack came as governments in several countries considered military action in light of reports that Al-Assad has used chemical weapons against his own people in an effort to quell an uprising calling for his ouster .\n`` Our website and domain are now down , but it was worth the attempt , for # Syria and world peace , '' the group wrote later .\nJUST WATCHED U.S. makes case against Syria Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH U.S. makes case against Syria 02:14\nJUST WATCHED Horror stories coming out of Syria Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Horror stories coming out of Syria 02:18\nJUST WATCHED Biden : 'There is no doubt ' about Syria Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Biden : 'There is no doubt ' about Syria 02:09\nThe group said their site was taken down because they violated their registration agreement .\nThe newspaper posted a message on its Facebook page about 5 p.m . ET that said , `` Many users are having difficulty accessing The New York Times online . We are working to fix the problem . Our initial assessment is the outage is most likely the result of a malicious external attack . ''\nNew York Times chief information officer Marc Frons sent the same update internally to employees at 4:20 p.m. and advised them not to send out sensitive emails `` until this situation is resolved , '' according to a statement from the New York Times . The outage was the result of an attack on the company 's domain name registrar , Melbourne IT .\nThe hackers gained access to a Melbourne IT reseller account using a phishing email and proceeded to change the DNS records of multiple domains , including NYTimes.com , according to the company .\n`` We are currently reviewing our logs to see if we can obtain information on the identity of the party that has used the reseller credentials , and we will share this information with the reseller and any relevant law enforcement bodies , '' said Melbourne IT 's Tony Smith in a statement .\nSeveral Twitter users posted screenshots of a `` Hacked by SEA '' message they said they received when they went to the New York Times homepage .\nThe Syrian Electronic Army has frequently targeted the U.S. news media . The group has hacked into the Twitter feeds of the Associated Press and The Washington Post , and on August 15 they briefly hacked the websites of several major news organizations redirecting them to a SEA page . CNN.com has been the target of similar attacks .\nFrons said Tuesday 's attack was more sophisticated than previous SEA hacks .\n`` It 's sort of like breaking into the local savings and loan versus breaking into Fort Knox . A domain registrar should have extremely tight security because they are holding the security to hundreds if not thousands of Web sites , '' said Frons in the New York Times .\nWhile the site was down , the New York Times continued to post articles at its numerical IP address , 170.149.168.130 and at news.nytco.com\nTuesday 's episode was the Times ' second sustained website outage this month . The newspaper 's site also went down August 14 for several hours , an outage the newspaper blamed on `` an internal issue . ''


SHOWS : WASHINGTON , DC , UNITED STATES ( APRIL 30 , 2015 ) ( REUTERS - ACCESS ALL ) 1 . U.S . SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS WALKING TO PODIUM 2 . ( SOUNDBITE ) ( English ) U.S . SENATOR , BERNIE SANDERS , SAYING : “ This country today , in my view , has more serious crises than any time since the Great Depression of the 1930 ’ s . For most Americans , their reality is that they are working longer hours for lower wages and inflation-adjusted income , they are earning less money than they used to years ago despite a great increase in technology and productivity . So , all over this country , I have been talking to people and they say - how does it happen ? I am producing more , but I am working longer hours for lower wages . My kid can ’ t afford to go to college , I am having a hard time affording healthcare . How does that happen ? While at exactly the same time , 99 percent of all new income generated in this country is going to the top one percent . How does it happen ? That the top one percent owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent . And my conclusion is that that type of economics is not only immoral , it is not only wrong , it is unsustainable . It can ’ t continue . We can ’ t continue having a nation in which we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major nation on earth at the same time as we are seeing a proliferation of millionaires and billionaires. ” 3 . WIDE OF SANDER AT MICROPHONE , PAN TO PRESS 4 . ( SOUNDBITE ) ( English ) U.S . SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS , SAYING : “ We now have a political situation where billionaires are literally able to buy elections and candidates . Let ’ s not kid ourselves . That is the reality right now . So you got the Koch brothers and other billionaire families now prepared to spend hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars in elections to buy the candidates of their choice , often extreme right wing candidates . I am the former chairman of the Senate Veterans ( Affairs ) Committee , and I can tell you , I don ’ t believe that the men and women who defended American democracy fought to create a situation where billionaires own the political process . ”


The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday it will hold its 2016 nominating convention in Philadelphia , where it will officially put forward its candidate who will try to succeed President Obama ’ s two terms in office .\nThe City of Brotherly Love beat out Brooklyn , New York and Columbus , Ohio to host the event , to be held the week of July 25 . The DNC signed the final contract with Philadelphia Thursday morning .\n“ There is clearly no better city to have this special event than Philadelphia . The role of Philadelphia in shaping our nation ’ s history is unmatched , ” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , Florida Democrat and chairwoman of the DNC .\nFormer Pennsylvania Gov . Ed Rendell said the convention is expected to cost $ 84 million , and expressed confidence they could raise the funds .\nIn choosing Philadelphia , Democrats bypassed holding their convention in the perennial swing state of Ohio , or New York , where former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton , the presumptive front-runner for the Democratic nomination , could house her campaign .\nNew York Mayor Bill de Blasio had promoted Brooklyn as an ideal spot , but his recent high-profile clashes with the city ’ s police department could have served as a point of tension as Democrats try to unify and rally behind their candidate . Ms. Wasserman Schultz , though , said the decision was based solely on logistics , security , and resources .\nColumbus Mayor Marcus B. Coleman said the city would try to land a political convention in 2020 .\nDemocrats last month announced the timing of their convention , which will be held the week after Republicans hold their in Cleveland .\nRepublicans and Democrats held their conventions in back-to-back weeks in 2012 , but the GOP held theirs in Tampa the last week of August and Democrats held theirs in Charlotte the first week of September . In 2008 , Democrats held their convention the last week of August in Denver and Republicans held theirs the first week of September in Minneapolis .\n• This article is based in part on wire service reports .