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Archives for October 2016

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.

New York Times Names Cafe Milano Among Top Restaurants for DC Power Dining

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Clint Hill, Franco, Nuschese, Marcello Muzzatti and Daniel DeSimone at Cafe Milano, Photo Courtesy of Haddad Media

Clint Hill, Franco, Nuschese, Marcello Muzzatti and Daniel DeSimone at Cafe Milano, Photo Courtesy of Haddad Media

A New York Times story out Wednesday, October 19th named Franco Nuschese’s Cafe Milano among the top restaurants for power dining. According to the Times’ Shivani Vora, “with the presidential election just weeks away, the scene has been heating up throughout town.”

Cafe Milano has hosted numerous celebrities and politicos. Frequenters include President Obama and First Lady Michelle. Vice President Joe Biden celebrated his granddaughter Finnegan’s 18th birthday there.

Also on the list of top power dining include Georgetown’s Fiola Mare, 14th Street institution Le Diplomate, Centrolina, and NoMa newcomer Masseria.

For more on the DC power dining scene, check out Vora’s article here.

Bloomberg Politics’ “Oceans Election” Tackles Election Rigging In New Video

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Bloomberg Politics’ Griffin Hammond, Alexander Trowbridge, and Matt Negrin have created a satirical video based on hit film Ocean’s Eleven. Griffin, Alex, and Matt, devise an elaborate plan to find out whether the presidential election can be rigged, and venture to Las Vegas, Nevada to do some reconnaissance. The video gives viewers interesting factoids about the state of the voting system while refuting some of the claims made by presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The video features cameos from Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson, CBS “This Morning” host Charlie Rose, actor Donny Deutsch, NBC host Kasie Hunt, Vox’s Liz Plank, Bloomberg’s Megan Murphy, Joe Weisenthal, Querry Robinson, Steven Yaccino, Kendall Breitman, TJ Ducklo, and Lauren Spurr.

You can find the latest election updates from Bloomberg Politics here.

Masters in Politics: Ana Navarro Says “Republicans Have Lost the Presidential Race No Matter What Happens”

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On the latest episode of Bloomberg’s Masters in Politics podcast hosts Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin interviewed Neera Tanden, the President of the Center for American Progress, and Ana Navarro, CNN and Telemundo contributor.

Ana Navarro, whom the Miami Herald called “the voice of the outraged Republican women,” says there is no hope for Trump to win the White House. “The Republicans have lost the presidential race no matter what happens. It is a damn shame that somehow we managed to have nominated the only Republican candidate who could lose to Hillary Clinton. But it is what we did and we have to live with the consequences. And now that we know that, if you are a realist, you realize that we have got to focus on the down ballot candidates. We’ve gotta focus on keeping the House, we’ve gotta focus on keeping the Senate, because god only knows what the effect of Trump will be on some of those tight races for the Senate and even the House.”

Neera Tanden, whose emails were also leaked in the Wikileaks data dump, finds it suspicious that the email leaks were so well timed. “I do not think it’s a coincidence that the weekend before the Democratic convention they leaked out these e-mails at the DNC. and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that as their candidate is up against the ropes.Roger Stone said these emails were coming. How does Roger Stone know these emails are coming? He tells us he is directly connected with Wikileaks and Julian Assange. He also says he talks to Donald Trump. I’m not saying that Donald Trump is leaking these things. I think he’s the direct beneficiary and his response is to take a weakened position on a host of issues; for example, on NATO and the United States direct relationship with Russia.”

You can listen to the full interview here.

House of Cards Star Michael Kelly Presents His Mother With the Hero of the Year Award at WISER Celebration

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Michael Kelly with his mother Maureen at the 2016 Samuel J Heyman Service to America Awards

Michael Kelly with his mother Maureen at the 2016 Samuel J Heyman Service to America Awards

House of Cards Star Michael Kelly got a chance to honor his mother Maureen Kelly at this year’s Women’s Institute for Secure Retirement (WISER) Awards Banquet on Tuesday, September 20. Maureen took home the Hero of the Year award for her role in advocating for older people and her 16 years of working with WISER. She is the founder and president of the Thanks Mom and Dad Fund which supports programs and services for people of advanced age. According to Maureen, “There are going to be almost double the number of older adults by the year 2030 and yet public funding and support has not kept pace with the anticipated growth in the population.”

Michael Kelly gave a heartfelt introduction to his mother who he calls “the most selfless and inspirational woman I know, someone who I have always been proud to call my mom.” Kelly also brought his mother along that evening to the Samuel J Heyman Service to America Awards which he emceed along with MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle.

You can find out more about Maureen Kelly’s work and the WISER awards in the video below.

 

Veeples: Jonah Ryan For Congress Limited Edition T-Shirts

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Now you can have a piece of the biggest political battle of the year, Jonah Ryan’s election to Congress, with the purchase of a limited edition Jonah Ryan for Congress T-Shirt.

Jonah Ryan for Congress Exclusive T-Shirts

Jonah Ryan for Congress Exclusive T-Shirts

 

In an exclusive interview with White House Correspondents’ Insider, the star of HBO’s comedy Veep said, “My name is Timothy Simons and I approved this T-shirt. And I am the only candidate with the winning temperament.

You have 4 days to purchase these Tshirts: https://www.omaze.com/made/veep-tim-simons

Volta Insider: Rachel Greenberg Interviews Oscar-winning Writer Graham Moore

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On the latest episode of the Volta Insider podcast, host Rachel Greenberg had a conversation with novelist and screenwriter Graham Moore, one of the most sought after young writers in America. Moore’s latest, the historical novel The Last Days of Night, tells the tale of the early days of electricity in America and the rivalry between Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla that led all the way to the Supreme Court. Moore won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2014 for his Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game and gave an emotional acceptance speech about overcoming self-doubt that has become a viral video hit. He is also the son of Susan Sher, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Moore recently announced that The Last Days of Night is being turned into a feature film which is currently in preproduction. Greenberg asked the admitted perfectionist what it was like to adapt his own novel for the screen. “I’m on draft 12 of the screenplay right now. There will be 30 by the time I’m done.”

Greenberg asked Moore about his inspiration for the new novel and his obsession with scientists and mathematicians. “They’re passionate, they’re driven, and they’re obsessive. They devote their lives to these subjects that the general public might think are arcane and I identify with that.”

Moore also gave some insider tips in case you want to win an Oscar. “Your clock doesn’t start until you step to the podium, so if you need a moment to compose yourself on stage you can take the trophy, pause, then step up to the podium.”

You can watch the full interview with Graham Moore here.