Subject: The Daily Trail: Sanders gets his first concession from the DNC
From: The Washington Post <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 20:07:09 -0400

The Daily Trail from PowerPost
He's looking for more. A lot more.

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<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy9wYWxvbWEvdGhlLWRhaWx5LXRyYWlsLzIwMTYvMDUvMjAvdGhlLWRhaWx5LXRyYWlsLXNhbmRlcnMtZ2V0cy1oaXMtZmlyc3QtY29uY2Vzc2lvbi1mcm9tLXRoZS1kbmMvNTczZjY4Y2Y5ODFiOTJhMjJkOTBmNjIwLz93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adD1d92d366>

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<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE3MjcxMSZsYXlvdXQ9bWFycXVlZSZsaT0lN0IlN0JhZGhhc2glN0QlN0Qmd3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adBebb67111>

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE3MjcxNCZzej0xMTZ4MTUmbGk9JTdCJTdCYWRoYXNoJTdEJTdEJndwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCa3b79bb9>   <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE3MjcxNSZzej02OXgxNSZsaT0lN0IlN0JhZGhhc2glN0QlN0Qmd3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adD928b57fe>

Sanders gets his first concession from the DNC <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy9wYWxvbWEvdGhlLWRhaWx5LXRyYWlsLzIwMTYvMDUvMjAvdGhlLWRhaWx5LXRyYWlsLXNhbmRlcnMtZ2V0cy1oaXMtZmlyc3QtY29uY2Vzc2lvbi1mcm9tLXRoZS1kbmMvNTczZjY4Y2Y5ODFiOTJhMjJkOTBmNjIwLz93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adE1d92d366>

It's crunch time. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Democrats are trying to figure out What Bernie Sanders Wants — or at least, what they can convince him to accept. Two months from Philadelphia, the peace offerings have already begun.

"In an attempt to head off an ugly conflict at its convention this summer, the Democratic National Committee plans to offer a concession to Sen. Bernie Sanders — seats on a key convention platform committee — but it may not be enough to stop Sanders from picking a fight over the party’s policy positions," reported <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL2RuYy10by1vZmZlci1zYW5kZXJzLWEtY29udmVudGlvbi1jb25jZXNzaW9uLzIwMTYvMDUvMTkvOTk3MDZiNTQtMWRmNC0xMWU2LThjN2ItNjkzMWU2NjMzM2U3X3N0b3J5Lmh0bWw_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC68654d53> Abby Phillip and Anne Gearan.

"Allies of both Clinton and Sanders have urged Democratic leaders to meet some of Sanders’s more mundane demands for greater inclusion at the Philadelphia convention. Their decision to do so is expected to be finalized by the end of the week, according to two people familiar with the discussions. But growing mistrust between Sanders supporters and party leaders have threatened to undermine that effort.

Even without a nomination fight, you'll still probably need a scorecard to track the various convention fights. Despite the concessions, "Sanders plans an aggressive effort to extract platform concessions on key policies that could prompt divisive battles at a moment when front-runner Hillary Clinton will be trying to unify the party. Among other issues, he plans to push for a $15 national minimum wage and argue that the party needs a more balanced position regarding Israel and Palestinians, according to a Sanders campaign aide who requested anonymity to speak candidly.

"Much like their view that the economy has been 'rigged' to benefit the wealthy more than the middle and working classes, Sanders supporters have become increasingly convinced that national Democrats have stacked the political deck with rules that have made it difficult for Sanders to win enough delegates to threaten Clinton’s nomination.

"Party leaders, meanwhile, have grown more frustrated with Sanders, who they say has unfairly fueled that perception.

'I don’t think they’ve handled it very well and I think they’ve lost the moral high ground on this,' said Ken Martin, chairman of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer Labor Party. 'It’s very clear now that the longer they stay in this race the more damage they’re doing.'"

For now, Sanders needs supporters to feel a little bit angry. And generous. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) 

Right now, Sanders might not be able to afford to tone down the angry talk: he needs supporters to get extra-motivated to send in more cash — and fast — heading into pricey California.

"Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton nearly match each other in fundraising, but the Sanders campaign continues to spend money at a rapid rate, leaving him with little in reserves to carry through the remainder of the Democratic primary, according to financial disclosures filed Friday," reported <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3NhbmRlcnMtcnVucy1sb3ctb24tY2FzaC13aGlsZS1jbGludG9uLXN0b2NrcGlsZXMtMzAtbWlsbGlvbi8_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC0b939409> Abby Phillip and Anu Narayanswamy.

"Sanders was down to $5.8 million in the bank by the end of April, showing the heavy toll that Wisconsin, New York and other April primaries took on the campaign's finances. Clinton, by contrast, closed the month with $30 million on hand.

"Sanders and Clinton raised roughly similar amounts for the month — $26.2 million and $26.6 million respectively, according to Federal Election Commission filings and the campaigns.

"Sanders spent heavily to contest April primaries against Clinton. He won a significant victory in Wisconsin but lost in New York, which his campaign had set up as a critical test of strength. The New York primary was particularly costly for both campaigns, but Sanders outspent Clinton in expensive television advertising."

DEMOCRATIC TRAIL MIX:

L.A. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

—Here's a closer look <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3doeS1wcm8taXNyYWVsLWRlbW9jcmF0cy1iZXJuaWUtc2FuZGVycy1hbmQtaGlsbGFyeS1jbGludG9uLWNvdWxkLWhhdmUtYS1maWdodC1hYm91dC1pc3JhZWwvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCa5334d78> at one of the battles Sanders is currently planning: those Israel-related changes he'll seek include "elevating Palestinian rights as a U.S. priority. People involved in discussions over potential changes to the Democratic Party's platform said Sanders would demand revisions in wording about U.S. relations with Israel and commitment to seeking peace between the U.S. ally and the Palestinians."

—There'll be plenty of action beyond the convention floor too: pro-Sanders demonstrators have already secured permits for four demonstrations <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2Jsb2dzLndzai5jb20vd2FzaHdpcmUvMjAxNi8wNS8yMC9zYW5kZXJzLXN1cHBvcnRlcnMtc2VjdXJlLXJhbGx5LXBlcm1pdC1uZWFyLWRlbW9jcmF0aWMtY29udmVudGlvbi1pbi1waGlsYWRlbHBoaWEvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCf0a73a49> that week, including one at which the city expects upwards of 30,000 people (organizers say they're hoping for even more.)

—More reporters are tracking down the individuals claiming responsibility for threats to Nevada Democratic officials. NPR's Graham Smith had a fascinating conversation with someone <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpdW0uY29tL0BncmFoYW1zbWl0aF8xMDQ2OC9iZXJuaW5nLWZvci1hLW5ldy1kYXktNzY2ODQyMTNhMjQwP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWwjLmdka3Fvb284aw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adDd037f8a3> who appears to be one of the same individuals Jezebel tracked down <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3RoZXNsb3QuamV6ZWJlbC5jb20vd2UtY2FsbGVkLXVwLWJlcm5pZS1mYW5zLXdoby10aHJlYXRlbmVkLW5ldmFkYS1kZW0tc3RhdC0xNzc3MTc3OTg1P3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC8e1ae984> with earlier this week (or, if not: many of these threats were made by a very, very specific demographic). It's worth the read <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRpdW0uY29tL0BncmFoYW1zbWl0aF8xMDQ2OC9iZXJuaW5nLWZvci1hLW5ldy1kYXktNzY2ODQyMTNhMjQwP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWwjLmdka3Fvb284aw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adEd037f8a3>, as a 2016 snapshot. ("He told me that he has terrible seizures that make it hard for him to get a job. There was a deep well of desperation and hurt in his voice. He came close to crying, maybe he was crying, when he gasped, 'and it’s not my fault!'")

—No, the Democratic divide isn't as bad as it was in 2008. That doesn't mean it can't get worse <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3RoZS1kZW1vY3JhdGljLXBhcnR5cy1kaXZpZGUtaXNudC1hcy1iaWctYXMtaXQtd2FzLWluLTIwMDgvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC295ed7cd> (Obama had young supporters. So does Sanders. They aren't necessarily the same ones.) 

—We hate being this person. We really do. But there are a few things in life we care about deeply, and one of them happens to be Venn diagrams. This, released by the Clinton campaign as Trump took the stage at the NRA convention, is not a Venn diagram:

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9IaWxsYXJ5Q2xpbnRvbi9zdGF0dXMvNzMzNjk0MDc2OTYxMzI5MTUyLz93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC44900980>

This is a Venn diagram:

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE3MjcwMSZzej0zMDB4MjUwJmxpPSU3QiU3QmFkaGFzaCU3RCU3RCZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adE9fd43b0c>

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE5MDkmc3o9MTE2eDE1JmxpPSU3QiU3QmFkaGFzaCU3RCU3RCZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adF10671a23>   <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTk1OTE5JnN6PTY5eDE1JmxpPSU3QiU3QmFkaGFzaCU3RCU3RCZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adGef2be797>

(Philip Bump reminds us why the first graphic doesn't work, and fixes it here <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3dlLWZpeGVkLWhpbGxhcnktY2xpbnRvbnMtdGVycmlibGUtdmVubi1kaWFncmFtLW9uLWd1bi1jb250cm9sLz93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC3625714a>.)

AT THE NRA CONVENTION, TRUMP HAD CLINTON IN HIS SIGHTS

He got the nod. REUTERS/John Sommers II

Today, Donald Trump — "who just a few years ago praised President Obama’s appeal for stronger gun control following the Newtown mass shootings — was endorsed and embraced by the National Rifle Association, completing his rapid transformation into a fierce pro-gun advocate," reported <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL2F0LXRoZS1ucmEtdHJ1bXAtY29tcGxldGVzLWhpcy1yYXBpZC10cmFuc2Zvcm1hdGlvbi1pbnRvLWEtcHJvLWd1bi12b2ljZS8yMDE2LzA1LzIwLzZhNmFjYzcwLTFlYTEtMTFlNi1iNmUwLWM1M2I3ZWY2M2I0NV9zdG9yeS5odG1sP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adDa57c7f3b> Jenna Johnson.

"Instead of detailing his own positions on gun-rights issues at a political forum attended by thousands of NRA members, Trump told the crowd that Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton would 'abolish the 2nd Amendment' and then release violent criminals from prison, not caring that innocent citizens would be unable to protect themselves.

"'Hillary wants to disarm vulnerable Americans in high-crime neighborhoods,' Trump said. 'Whether it’s a young single mom in Florida or a grandmother in Ohio, Hillary wants them to be defenseless, wants to take away any chance they have of survival... And that’s why we’re going to call her Heartless Hillary.'"

Clinton fired back on Twitter: 

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9IaWxsYXJ5Q2xpbnRvbi9zdGF0dXMvNzMzNzU3MDQ1ODA4MjM0NTAwP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC652dd32d>

Maya Harris, Clinton’s senior policy adviser, called Trump’s remarks "conspiracy theories" that "distract from his radical and dangerous ideas."

Gun control has already been a flash point in the race (even in the Democratic primary, where Clinton has used the issue to hammer Bernie Sanders.) But as Jenna notes: the gulf between Trump and Clinton wasn't always so wide <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL2F0LXRoZS1ucmEtdHJ1bXAtY29tcGxldGVzLWhpcy1yYXBpZC10cmFuc2Zvcm1hdGlvbi1pbnRvLWEtcHJvLWd1bi12b2ljZS8yMDE2LzA1LzIwLzZhNmFjYzcwLTFlYTEtMTFlNi1iNmUwLWM1M2I3ZWY2M2I0NV9zdG9yeS5odG1sP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adEa57c7f3b>...

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9yZWFsZG9uYWxkdHJ1bXAvc3RhdHVzLzI4MDc1NDYzMDA0NzE5OTIzMj93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCfa21d3ca>

Trump also told the NRA crowd Friday he wanted to eliminate gun-free zones — although the presence of a presidential candidate meant the temporary creation of another, per Secret Service guidelines:

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS93cGplbm5hL3N0YXR1cy83MzM2ODMxMTk4OTU3NzcyODA_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC14780e88>

On the other hand, if he really wanted to, Trump might be able to eliminate at least one gun-free zone right now:

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9zYW1zdGVpbmhwL3N0YXR1cy83MzM3MzE5MjY2NDU4NzQ2ODk_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC91795cdb>

PARTY HEALING UPDATE: IT'S HAPPENING

The primary season is definitely over. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

The good news for Republicans is that polling confirms their party is rallying around Donald Trump <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3RoZS1yZXB1YmxpY2FuLXBhcnR5LWlzLWdldHRpbmctYmVoaW5kLWRvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1qdXN0LWxpa2Utd2UtdGhvdWdodC8_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adD6e467a12>. It also appears to shows a tightening race — but as we noted earlier this week: maybe not so much. "With their nominee settled, Republicans are rallying around him," says <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3RoZS1yZXB1YmxpY2FuLXBhcnR5LWlzLWdldHRpbmctYmVoaW5kLWRvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1qdXN0LWxpa2Utd2UtdGhvdWdodC8_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adE6e467a12> Philip Bump. But "the coin has another side to it: When the Democrats finally have only one candidate left, the same effect should be expected to apply." 

Sometimes, #math is hard. One number this week is particularly tough for the presumptive GOP nominee: seven in 10 likely voters in the new New York Times/CBS <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3VzL3BvbGl0aWNzL2RvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1oaWxsYXJ5LWNsaW50b24tcG9sbC5odG1sP19yPTAmd3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC3c1441d4> poll said they think Trump doesn't have <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL2RvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1oYXMtYS1tYWpvci10ZW1wZXJhbWVudC1wcm9ibGVtLWRvZXMtaGUtd2FudC10by1maXgtaXQvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC2775dc25> the right temperament to serve as president. (The worse news, for down-ballot Republicans: split ticket voting isn't really a thing anymore <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3RoZS1zdHJpa2luZy1ldmFwb3JhdGlvbi1vZi1zcGxpdC10aWNrZXQtdm90aW5nLz93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC4d0600c6>.)

At the Trump-Christie fundraiser. REUTERS/Mike Segar

On other fronts, the healing remains...a work in progress. 

—Last month, Donald Trump tangled with conservative Wisconsin radio host (and #NeverTrump supporter) Charlie Sykes. This Wednesday, he included the host's ex-wife on a list of potential Supreme Court nominees. That same day, says Sykes <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5yaWdodHdpc2NvbnNpbi5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9wZXJzcGVjdGl2ZXMvdGhlLWRvbmFsZC1yZWFjaGVzLW91dD93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adDdc18e2a0>, Trump's assistant reached out and told him the mogul wanted to send him a message, which turned out to be the Monday A section of the New York Times that featured a front-page story about the GOP warming up to Trump's candidacy, with a note added in Sharpie: "Charlie -- I Hope you can change your mind. Look forward to doing your show. Donald Trump... I WILL WIN!" Sykes was....surprised. "Despite the fact that Trump has publicly called me a 'lowlife' and a "dummy," I do appreciate the outreach," he said <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5yaWdodHdpc2NvbnNpbi5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9wZXJzcGVjdGl2ZXMvdGhlLWRvbmFsZC1yZWFjaGVzLW91dD93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adEdc18e2a0>. "But, still #NeverTrump."

—Speaking of conservative #NeverTrump radio hosts: Erick Erickson — who opposed Mitt Romney in 2008 and 2012, and said his nomination would mean "conservatism dies <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5yZWRzdGF0ZS5jb20vZGlhcnkvRXJpY2svMjAxMS8xMS8wOC9taXR0LXJvbW5leS1hcy10aGUtbm9taW5lZS1jb25zZXJ2YXRpc20tZGllcy1hbmQtYmFyYWNrLW9iYW1hLXdpbnMvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCe051c675>" — said he would like him to reconsider <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3RoZXJlc3VyZ2VudC5jb20vbWl0dC1yb21uZXktc2hvdWxkLXJlY29uc2lkZXItYS10aGlyZC1wYXJ0eS1iaWQvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC5b425fff> the idea of mounting a third-party bid. Trump himself has enlisted Romney confidant Mike Leavitt to oversee his <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2FiY25ld3MuZ28uY29tL1BvbGl0aWNzL2RvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1jYW1wLWVubGlzdHMtcm9tbmV5LWFpZGUtbWlrZS1sZWF2aXR0L3N0b3J5P2lkPTM5MjU3NzI2JndwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCfe9b659e> presidential transition plans.

—Trump is having better luck with Joe Scarborough, largely because he and the MSNBC host seem to be embracing what we like to think of as the Neuralizer Rule <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvTmV1cmFseXplcj93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC11d742ab>: when everyone gets together after a big fight, sometimes the best approach is just to smile and act as though the previous few days/weeks/months never happened <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3doYXQtZmV1ZC1kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXAtcmVqb2lucy1tb3JuaW5nLWpvZS1hcy1pZi1ub3RoaW5nLWV2ZXItaGFwcGVuZWQvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC0e6a43e7>. (That's how the two handled Trump's "Morning Joe" hit <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vbmV3cy90aGUtZml4L3dwLzIwMTYvMDUvMjAvd2hhdC1mZXVkLWRvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1yZWpvaW5zLW1vcm5pbmctam9lLWFzLWlmLW5vdGhpbmctZXZlci1oYXBwZW5lZC8_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCac9b7107> today.)

TOMORROW'S ATTACK AD, TODAY:

How much does the money matter? (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

April 15 is past, but tax headaches may have just begun for Donald Trump. 

"The last time information from Donald Trump’s income-tax returns was made public, the bottom line was striking: He had paid the federal government $0 in income taxes,"  reported <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL3RydW1wcy1pbmNvbWUtdGF4LXJldHVybnMtb25jZS1iZWNhbWUtcHVibGljLXRoZXktc2hvd2VkLWhlLWRpZG50LXBheS1hLWNlbnQvMjAxNi8wNS8yMC9mZmEyZjYzYy0xYjdjLTExZTYtYjZlMC1jNTNiN2VmNjNiNDVfc3RvcnkuaHRtbD93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX2ZpeA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC43189b24> Drew Harwell. (If you live in a swing state, and you hadn't heard about this story before: get ready to hear more about it. A lot more.)

"The disclosure, in a 1981 report by New Jersey gambling regulators, revealed that the wealthy Manhattan investor had for at least two years in the late 1970s taken advantage of a tax-code provision popular with developers that allowed him to report negative income.

"Today, as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Trump regularly denounces corporate executives for using loopholes and false deductions to 'get away with murder' when it comes to avoiding taxes.

"'They make a fortune. They pay no tax,' Trump said last year on CBS. 'It’s ridiculous, okay?'

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vdmlkZW8vcG9saXRpY3Mvd2lsbC1kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXAtZXZlci1yZWxlYXNlLWhpcy10YXgtcmV0dXJucy8yMDE2LzA1LzExL2Y2MzNhZjQ2LTE3YjgtMTFlNi05NzFhLWRhZGY5YWIxODg2OV92aWRlby5odG1sP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC843066e3>

Donald Trump's evolution on candidate tax returns

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE3MjcwNCZzej0zMDB4MjUwJmxpPSU3QiU3QmFkaGFzaCU3RCU3RCZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adH3490a7e0>

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTE5MDkmc3o9MTE2eDE1JmxpPSU3QiU3QmFkaGFzaCU3RCU3RCZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adI10671a23>   <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2xpLndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9jbGljaz9zPTk1OTE5JnN6PTY5eDE1JmxpPSU3QiU3QmFkaGFzaCU3RCU3RCZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adJef2be797>

"The contrast highlights a potentially awkward challenge for Trump.

"He has built a political identity around his reputation as a financial whiz, even bragging about his ability to game the tax code to pay as little as possible to the government — a practice he has called the 'American way.' Moreover, he has aggressively pursued tax breaks and other government supports to bolster his real estate empire. But that history threatens to collide with his efforts to woo working-class voters who resent that they often pay higher tax rates than the wealthy who benefit from special loopholes.

And a reminder: we still don't know what we don't know. "Trump’s personal taxes are a mystery. He has refused to release any recent returns, meaning the public cannot see how much money he makes, how much he gives to charity and how aggressively he uses deductions, shelters and other tactics to shrink his tax bill.

"Trump, who said last week on ABC that his tax rate is 'none of your business,' would be the first major party nominee in 40 years to not release his returns.

"In an interview this week, Trump said that he has paid 'substantial' taxes but declined to provide specifics.

"He reiterated that he fights 'very hard to pay as little tax as possible.'" It's an approach that might draw applause from many Trump supporters; people should be able to hold on to as much of their own money as possible, they say."

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vdmlkZW8vcG9saXRpY3MvZm91ci10aW1lcy1kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXAtdG9sZC1yZXBvcnRlcnMtaXRzLW5vbmUtb2YteW91ci1idXNpbmVzcy8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL2FjNzlmYmFjLTFlYTgtMTFlNi04MmMyLWE3ZGNiMzEzMjg3ZF92aWRlby5odG1sP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC3e72dcd1>

Four times Donald Trump told reporters, 'It's none of your business'

(His taxes are "none of your business," says Trump. So are a few other things.)

And here's what that approach looks like: "In Ossining, N.Y., home to a Trump National Golf Club, town officials say that a tax break being sought by the company would cost their coffers more than $200,000 a year.

"In seeking the reduction, Trump’s lawyers have claimed that the club is worth far less than the roughly $15 million value assessed by the city.

"Trump’s lawyers have filed papers with the state claiming that the 'full market value' of the property is $1.4 million. The same golf course appears on Trump’s new financial disclosure form released this week as part of his presidential campaign — valued by him at more than $50 million.

"Trump lawyer Alan Garten did not respond to questions about the discrepancy.

"Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg, a Democrat, expressed frustration that Trump seemed to be gaining 'at other people’s loss.'

"'It’s hard to look at someone who talks about their wealth frequently and think they got that successful on other people’s backs,' she said." That's the Democratic message on Trump taxes. The question is how much that message might (or might not) resonate with working-class voters who aren't already in the Clinton column. "

TRUMP TRAIL MIX:

New Jersey. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

—Here's something else you may or may not have heard, last night but will definitely hear this fall: Donald Trump, in a Trump University audiobook, saying in 2006 <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jbm4uY29tLzIwMTYvMDUvMTkvcG9saXRpY3MvZG9uYWxkLXRydW1wLTIwMDYtaG9wZXMtcmVhbC1lc3RhdGUtbWFya2V0LWNyYXNoZXMvaW5kZXguaHRtbD93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCe105b082> that he "sort of hope[s]" the real estate market crashes, because then people like him "could go in and buy" low. "If there is a bubble burst, as they call it, you know you can make a lot of money," he added. "If you're in a good cash position -- which I'm in a good cash position today -- then people like me would go in and buy like crazy."

—As long as we're talking Things Trump Says: His remarks at last night's Chris Christie fundraiser made shockwaves on social media, which is what tends to happen when a speech includes lines like "Who the hell cares if there's a trade war <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3RydW1wLXdoby10aGUtaGVsbC1jYXJlcy1pZi10aGVyZXMtYS10cmFkZS13YXIvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC87825763> [with China]?" (Apparently, some people do <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy52b3guY29tLzIwMTYvNS8yMC8xMTcxOTU5NC9kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXAtdHJhZGUtd2Fycz93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC0d092d6a>.)

—Many Republicans consider Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) a contender to be Donald Trump’s running mate; on Monday, the two plan to meet at Trump Tower in New York, reported <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL2RvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1wbGFucy10by1tZWV0LXdpdGgtYm9iLWNvcmtlci1hcy12LXAtZGVjaXNpb24tbG9vbXMvP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC183ab9db> Robert Costa. In other VP news, former Texas governor Rick Perry told CNN's Jeremy Diamond he'd help Trump any way he could "within reason" — and that, yes, the vice presidency is "within reason." <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jbm4uY29tLzIwMTYvMDUvMjAvcG9saXRpY3Mvcmljay1wZXJyeS1kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXAtdmljZS1wcmVzaWRlbnQvaW5kZXguaHRtbD93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC9b28296f> He's already shown his support in a tangible way: it's been months since he referred to the presumptive nominee <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9zdC1wb2xpdGljcy93cC8yMDE1LzA3LzIyL3JpY2stcGVycnktZG9uYWxkLXRydW1wcy1jYW1wYWlnbi1hLWJhcmtpbmctY2Fybml2YWwtYWN0LWFuZC1hLWNhbmNlci1vbi1jb25zZXJ2YXRpc20vP3dwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC9ac8dfa1> as a "barking carnival act" or a "cancer on conservatism." So.

—As the Trump fundraising machine whirs to life, Great America PAC — the main super PAC backing Trump — is reporting roughly $65,000 <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL2RvY3F1ZXJ5LmZlYy5nb3YvY2dpLWJpbi9mb3Jtcy9DMDA2MDg0ODkvMTA3Mzc4Ny8_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCd0d6cefa> cash on hand. (No, that figure isn't missing any zeroes.) For some perspective: the Clinton-supporting Priorities USA Action super PAC is saying it has $47 million <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8yMDE2LzA1LzIxL3VzL3BvbGl0aWNzL3N1cGVyLXBhYy1mdW5kcmFpc2luZy1oaWxsYXJ5LWNsaW50b24uaHRtbD9fcj0wJnNtaWQ9dHctbnl0cG9saXRpY3Mmc210eXA9Y3VyJndwbW09MSZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHJhaWw/5728a16715dd9659088b55adCfc8fc655>  on hand to fund anti-Trump attack ads. 

—Speaking of Trump fundraising: The mogul said that his veterans fundraiser earlier this year had brought in $6 million. Now his advisers say it's more like $4.5 million <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL3RydW1wLXNhaWQtaGUtcmFpc2VkLTYtbWlsbGlvbi1mb3ItdmV0cy1ub3ctaGlzLWNhbXBhaWduLXNheXMtaXQtd2FzLWxlc3MvMjAxNi8wNS8yMC84NzExMjdhOC0xZDFmLTExZTYtYjZlMC1jNTNiN2VmNjNiNDVfc3RvcnkuaHRtbD93cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC777fedda>. (On a related note: there's been no documentation so far that the $1 million personal donation Trump promised has yet been made.)

YOUR DAILY TRAIL PIT STOP: This week's Donald Trump/Megyn Kelly interview, songified <http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvdGhlLWZpeC93cC8yMDE2LzA1LzIwL3RoZS1kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXAtbWVneW4ta2VsbHktaW50ZXJ2aWV3LXNvbmdpZmllZC8_d3BtbT0xJndwaXNyYz1ubF90cmFpbA/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC4b982257>.

<http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/6769019.6966/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g_dj1ZY0dQU25zd3pqYyZ3cG1tPTEmd3Bpc3JjPW5sX3RyYWls/5728a16715dd9659088b55adC12c2e15d>

Trump Goes Hard - Songify 2016

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