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Behind the scenes of one of the most powerful clubs in America.

Masters in Politics: Amy Klobuchar Unsure Whether Merrick Garland Will be Nominated to Supreme Court in Clinton Administration

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Senator Amy Klobuchar at at the Washington Womens' Technology Lucheon

Senator Amy Klobuchar at the Washington Women Technology Luncheon

On the latest episode of Bloomberg’s Masters in Politics podcast Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin interviewed Senator Amy Klobuchar and Kevin Cirilli, Bloomberg’s reporter covering the Trump campaign since the day he announced his candidacy.

Klobuchar (D-MN) voiced her concern over Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s claims that the election is being rigged against him. “Of course I’m concerned about that. We’ve always had our share of problems even without Donald Trump’s words. My hope is that on Election Night we’ll make a strong statement about that. You’ve had a lot of Republicans standing up to it. The Republican National Committee had to issue a statement that night saying we do respect the outcome of elections.”

Senator Klobuchar appeared unsure when asked whether Hillary Clinton would nominate Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. “That is going to be entirely up to her and I really couldn’t predict what would happen. She has said that she’s going to make her own decision. I do think he’s someone who’s qualified and would get probably confirmed rather quickly, but that it’s going to be up to her.  I think that he has gained a lot of support from people and my hope is that they just do this in the lame duck instead of waiting. Can you imagine if we wait another six months, or a year, with all of these cases pending it’s gotten to the point where it will be a constitutional crisis.”

She also applauded Bernie Sanders’ assistance with getting Hillary Clinton elected. “First of all, no one has been more loyal to her campaign since he got out than Bernie Sanders. He has been running around the country, he came to my state, and it’s not just because he gives good speeches. He has defended her many times against Donald Trump attacks. I think that’s got to  be clear. I don’t think it’s anyone surprise that he’s going to continue to his work and continue to advocate her positions. Many of which he agrees with, like they came to agreement on the student loan program. I do think you will have some differences with her when you get into the Congress and I think that’s just fine. You don’t want everyone in your political party acting the same or saying the same thing. I think his loyalty to her and the campaign since he left the race is really been extraordinary.”

Bloomberg reporter Kevin Cirilli discussed his experiences following the Trump campaign throughout the election cycle and the direction the conservative movement will take post-Trump.

“Some of the [Trump] advisers that I speak with tell me that this is exactly what the conservative movement has wanted for decades.  This is what Republicans have wanted, to take the case directly against Hillary Clinton in a way that holds her, in many ways, as an indictment.”

You can listen to the latest episode of Masters in Politics here.

Obama Scores With Gridiron Club Dinner

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Obama Waves to Press

Not only was this weekend unseasonably nice compared to the Snowquester,but President Barack Obama attended the 125th Gridiron Club and Foundation Dinner. (Technically the fifth for the combined Club and Foundation, but as if memories go back that far in Washington these days).

Attending for the second time since 2011, President Barack Obama opened up with remarks that brought the Beltway press to be responsible for their pleas about access and Bob Woodward’s recent fear of threats. Or, as scarily brought up by The Reliable Source, “Is it possible he’s beginning to like these dinners?”

“Before I begin, I know some of you have noticed that I’m dressed a little differently from the other gentlemen. Because of sequester, they cut my tails. My joke writers have been placed on furlough,” the president said. That’s what happens when your star speechwriter goes off to Tinseltown. Other politicans that stopped by this year include Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Al Franken (“How do you start off being one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live and end up being the second-funniest Senator in Minnesota? How the mighty have fallen.”)

Some of the choicer cuts with a Favreau–although we can’t imagine he didn’t have at least one pass at this–less Obama:

On Woodward:
“Now I know that some folks think we responded to Woodward too aggressively. But hey, when has — can anybody tell me when an administration has ever regretted picking a fight with Bob Woodward? What’s the worst that could happen?”

On White House Correspondents Dinner Chairman Ed Henry:
“While we’re on this subject, I want to acknowledge Ed Henry, who is here — who is the fearless leader of the Washington press corps now. And at Ed’s request, tonight I will take one question from the press. Jay, do we have a question? Surprisingly, it’s a question from Ed Henry. ‘Mr. President, will you be taking any questions tonight?’ I’m happy to answer that. No, Ed, I will not.”

Proof That Favreau Must’ve Written Something:
“But all these changes to my team are tough to handle, I’ve got to admit. After nine years, I finally said goodbye to my chief speechwriter, Jon Favreau. I watched him grow up. He’s almost like a son to me, he’s been with me so long. And I said to him when he first informed me of his decision, I said, ‘Favs, you can’t leave.’ And he answered with three simple words — ‘yes, I can.’ Fortunately, he did not take the prompter on his way out. That would have been a problem.”

And just to show the President is well aware of his Internet status, he ended his speech on a nerd note:
“So I want to thank everybody for not just a wonderful evening — and, Chuck [Lewis], I want to thank you for your outstanding presidency — but I also just want to thank you for the work that you do each and every day. And in the words of one of my favorite Star Trek characters — Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise — ‘May the force be with you.'”