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Terence Mann once told Ray Kinsella in the 1989 classic movie "Field of Dreams" that baseball "reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again."

That was the sentiment at the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on Thursday, after two days of trauma, both physical and mental, that reminded the Capitol Hill community that there are bigger things at play than partisanship.

A day after House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot and critically wounded Wednesday morning, the charity game had a new meaning for lawmakers taking the field in an annual contest that pits the two parties against each other. It had a new meaning for the record crowd, too.

There was a lot more at stake than the scoreboard Democrats won 11-2 and many people who were there struggled to adjust to what they should expect after the shooting rampage in which lawmakers were targeted and four victims were shot.

"This is what our country needs after such an act," said Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., who was at the practice the day before and witnessed the shooting. "There are a lot of people who don't believe Republicans or Democrats talk to each other. They think we fight about everything, and this game should show em all that we come together in America's pastime, and we have fun, and we compete, and at the end we shake hands.

"The best part of the game is I sit behind home plate, and I jaw with my Democratic counterparts because they're my friends," said Davis, the GOP team's catcher, "and that's a message I want to get out to people."

President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence did not attend the game, but Trump sent a message of unity and many other politicians of every stripe made appearances. The president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and Kellyanne Conway, counsellor to the president, were among those in the stadium to represent the administration. All four congressional leaders, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., led the crowd of nearly 25,000 in a "Play ball!" chant.

Throughout the game, which featured a lack of hitting ability, hordes of stolen bases, and echoes of Bruce Springsteen's 1984 hit "Glory Days," was a sense of togetherness. The two teams took a knee together around second base during the pregame ceremonies. After the game, the Democrats' manager, Mike Doyle, handed the trophy to GOP manager Joe Barton and revealed that it would stand in Scalise's office until he gets out of hospital and returns to the halls of Congress. The event raised a record $1.5 million for charity, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., revealed in a tweet late Thursday.

The main question hanging over the game, however, was whether the newfound amity and mood of sober reflection could last and do anything to douse the flames of rancorous partisanship that have been raging for the past year and throughout Trump's first five months in the White House.

"I just hope this time it lasts longer and people really sit down across the table from each other and try to understand each other," Conway told the Washington Examiner, "because I understand why some people may be skeptical that that will be enduring and not fleeting, but we can at least try."

Congress members shared the sentiment. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said that despite bipartisan work on legislation that brings members together behind the scenes, it is bitter political differences that remain in the foreground.

"Events often mask for a time the underlying problems," Issa added, "but they don't eliminate them."

While baseball was played on the field, most of those in the stands and on the field thought about Scalise, whose name received a roaring ovation during the pregame introductions. As of Thursday night, he remained in critical condition after suffering a gunshot to his hip that tore internal organs, broke bones, and has forced several surgeries.

He was shot by a man authorities identified as James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill., a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. The shooter was killed by police gunfire at the baseball practice field where the attack took place. He also shot and wounded three others Capitol Police Special Agent Crystal Griner, Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika, and congressional staffer Zack Barth, an aide to Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, a team coach. Barth was at the game Thursday and worked at the Capitol earlier in the day.

Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., said, "I was an athlete growing up. If something else was troubling me or bothering me, it's like I didn't think about it for the two or three hours I was playing a game or preparing for it, but that's not going to be possible given how serious and scary that incident was." He added, "You just don't stop thinking about those five individuals and praying for them and their family," also refererring to Capitol Police officer David Bailey, who was injured during the Wednesday attack.

"In the grand scheme of things, the game means absolutely nothing, and it never has," he continued. "But what it represents or is intended to symbolize is that, yeah, Republicans and Democrats may disagree on some things, but we all love baseball. It's America's pastime, and we can be friends. And at the end of the day, we're all human beings who like to compete and respect one another."

Republicans believe that many of the 25 or so members of their conference who were at the baseball practice would be dead if it had not been for the action of Scalise's Capitol Police security detail, who engaged the shooter in a gun battle. Since Wednesday, many suggestions have be offered about how best to respond to the murder attempt directed against lawmakers. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., is proposing a rule to allow lawmakers to carry concealed weapons while in the nation's capital. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is introducing similar legislation for anyone who wishes to carry in Washington, D.C., not just lawmakers.

Beefing up the Capitol Police force is also an idea on the table. Matthew Verderosa, chief of the Capitol Police, recently asked Congress for a $33 million boost to the force's budget in order to hire 72 more officers and increase security.

Pelosi told reporters Thursday morning that there needs to be a "discussion" about tightening security for members of Congress, including those in large groups such as the baseball practice. She also called for more money for Capitol Police.

Despite the broad mood of unity at the game, the minority leader nevertheless took a shot at Republicans, blaming them for increased violence in federal politics. She pointed to Trump's comments on the campaign as proof.

"We have a president who says, 'I could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and nobody would care,'" she said, referring to a comment Trump made during the 2016 campaign. "When you have people saying, 'beat him up and I'll pay your legal fees,'" she went on, "When you have all of the assaults that were made on Hillary Clinton."

"For [Republicans] to be so sanctimonious is something that I really I must," she continued, before catching herself and adding, "Sad for myself that I've gone down this path with you because I don't think it's appropriate for us to have the first discussion of it, and it will be for another day."

In the wake of the shooting, members are speaking about the constant threats and security challenges they face, especially in their constituencies where town hall meetings have boiled over in anger. Lawmakers have been sent threatening messages in recent months, especially in the wake of the House passing the American Health Care Act, a bill to repeal and replace parts of Obamacare.

"I've had more threats this year than any other time," said Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., adding that he recently had to report a threat to Capitol Police after his repeal and replace vote. In a message, a caller said the vote meant he wasn't going to live long, and it was therefore Barletta's "turn to die as well."

"It's just been more of that type of rhetoric than anytime in the past, and it's really got to stop. I think it's just gone too far now," Barletta lamented. "These [lawmakers] are men and women who are trying to serve. You have to worry about doing town hall meetings ... not only for your own safety, but for the safety of people that go, and your staff. I worry about my staff, who take a lot of the abuse from people, and I just think nationally the rhetoric has gone too hateful. People aren't going to want to serve."

There is plenty of work on Capitol Hill likely to erode this week's unity quickly. Senate Republicans are trying to pass healthcare legislation by the July 4th recess and are writing their bill behind closed doors. House Republicans are moving forward with tax reform, led by Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas.

And looming over these efforts are investigations into alleged connections between Russian meddling in the 2016 election and members of the Trump campaign. That scandal has widened with the appointment former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel. The investigation is expected by many to undermine Republicans' ability to put their legislative agenda into action.

On Thursday night, though, people at the ballpark expressed hope for a brighter future.

"Tonight's a good start," Conway said.

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Hardball politics: GOP-Democrat anxiety in aftermath of shooting - Washington Examiner

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosensteins warning about anonymous media reports rightfully calls our attention to a growing crisis: Americans are being overwhelmed by a waterfall of highly questionable leaks about the drama in Washington, D.C.

Some of the gossip is fairly predictable, like the jockeying of power between White House staffers or dueling Congressmen.

But Rosensteins worry is focused on another, more dangerous trend: the unsanctioned release of sensitive or classified information by a group of shadowy sources.

As a former CIA officer, I share Rosensteins concern because I worked with these same types of informants. In the world of espionage, we called them volunteers. In short, these people tracked down intelligence officers to peddle information.

In the vast majority of cases, volunteers turned out to be the equivalent of human garbage. On rare occasion, however, they held credible intelligence that altered the course of history.

Unless the media identifies a source and is honest about their motivations and biases, subsequent reporting is the equivalent of cheap celebrity gossip. Maybe a little truth, but a whole lot of lies.

The challenge, then, was to vet each source to decide whether they were a heap of trash or pot of gold. In espionage as with journalism officers used a five-step process to sort it all out:

Identity: First, spies conducted the equivalent of a background check on the volunteer. Can we confirm their job, title, and related work functions? Can they prove their identity?

Unfortunately, the American people have no way to determine if any of the medias anonymous sources have undergone this basic check. Instead, we have to rely on the integrity of reporters.

Access: Next, spies worked to confirm a volunteers access to the information theyre providing. Do they have reason to have it? Is their access direct (personal) or indirect (through others)? If theyre using subsources, these unnamed figures have to be vetted as well.

Frustratingly, the American people have no window into whether the media has addressed this critical step and, if so, to what degree of professionalism.

Motivations: Spies have to understand why a volunteer is offering their information. If someone is bitter about a job loss, for instance, they might pass along falsehoods or cherry pick intelligence in order to get revenge against a boss.

Indeed, most volunteers are motivated by one of four things: revenge, ego, money, or partisanship. For example, NSAs most recent leaker R. Leigh Winner fits the pattern of partisanship while former FBI Director James Comeys leak may be explained in part by revenge.

Of course, just because volunteers have dubious motivations doesnt mean we ignore their information. Rather, the media must highlight a sources likely bias so that viewers and readers might draw their own conclusions.

Sadly, no media outlets have publically taken these steps in recent months.

Corroboration: In the world of espionage, a volunteers claims have to be checked against 1) other sources that 2) dont know of each others actions yet 3) share the same information. Relying on single-sourced intelligence is dangerous. Thats largely what drove the disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Here again, the media has yet to demonstrate that theyve corroborated any of the information theyve published. Of course, theyve promised that theyve done so but theres simply no proof. Instead, we have to rely on the honesty and integrity of journalists.

And that brings up the final step in asking whether recently leaked reporting is credible.

Bias: In the world of espionage, officials have to consider whether the officer vetting the volunteer might be biased. In other words, its possible that the officer wants the volunteer and their information to be true even if its not.

Why? Officers sometimes think they can get a promotion, receive a bonus, or be honored with an award if they find a great volunteer.

At Langley, this rarely occurs. In Americas media, however, its depressingly common.

Turn on any TV station or read any article and youre bound to consume not just facts but also the political agendas of media owners and editors. For instance, data show that The New York Times and Washington Post have a greater bias than Fox News.

Or consider the 2016 election where journalists directed 96 percent of their political giving to my partys nominee Hillary Clinton.

While I might like that as a Democrat, I hate it as an American. We need to battle over our political differences through honest debate, not biased journalism.

All of this leaves the average person with a great challenge: What should we believe in the media, especially when it comes to the Trump / Russia allegations? And who should we believe?

Heres what Id recommend.

First, Rosenstein is right. Exercise caution when reading stories with anonymous sources and leaked information. Unless the media identifies a source and is honest about their motivations and biases, subsequent reporting is the equivalent of cheap celebrity gossip.

Maybe a little truth, but a whole lot of lies.

Second, be patient with the FBI investigation. The Bureaus Special Agents are aggressively and fairly investigating the Trump allegations. We should have results by early fall.

When we do, have faith in what we learn. If Trump or his associates are guilty of improprieties, America will demand justice. If Trump is cleared, we will take this drama to where it belongs. The ballot box.

Finally, focus on the news thats getting less attention but is equally important, like TrumpCare. If you dont like what youre seeing in Washington, tell the Democrats to come up with a better plan. Demand something like Our American Oath, which is a vision for the country that I helped draft with pragmatic Democrats and Republicans.

Bottom line: No matter what you read or hear from Trump or the New York Times consume your news with a critical eye. Its our job as citizens to ask tough questions and demand more honest answers.

If we dont get it, let them hear you. Cancel your subscription. Turn off the TV.

And if its a deceitful politician spreading lies, vote them out.

Bryan Dean Wright is a former CIA ops officer and member of the Democratic Party. He contributes on issues of politics, national security, and the economy. Follow him on Twitter @BryanDeanWright.

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Democrat (and ex-CIA): Bogus leaks and what to believe. How to vet your news like an agent - Fox News

It's been just 48 hours since Republican lawmakers and their staff members were gunned down on a field in Alexandria by a Bernie Sanders volunteer while practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game. Republican Whip Steve Scalise is still in critical condition at the hospital and has undergone a number of surgeries after being shot in the pelvis.

In reaction to the attack, Nebraska Democrat Chelsey Gentry-Tipton said it was funny to watch Republicans who were on the field get emotional when recalling what happened during media interviews. After calls for a new civility, unity and her resignation, Gentry-Tipton is doubling down.

From the Omaha-World Herald:

The question now is, what does the DNC have to say about this? Will newly minted Chairman Tom Perez, who said at a recent rally that Republicans "don't give a damn about people," step in? Or will he allow her to continue in her position as a representation of the Democrat Party?

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New Civility: Nebraska Democrat Doubles Down on Saying Republicans Getting Shot "Was Funny" - Townhall

James Devine via JamesDevine.org

RAHWAY A longtime Democratic operative from Union County has responded to the Wednesday shooting of a congressman by calling for a hunt of Republicans.

James Devine posted several messages on Facebook and Twitter following the Alexandra, Virginia, shooting of U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and several others by a gunman with a history of violence and of making online rantings against Republican officials and their policies.

We are in a war with selfish, foolish & narcissistic rich people. Why is it a shock when things turn violent? Devine posted on social media, ending the message with the hashtag: #HuntRepublicanCongressmen

Devine used the hashtag #HuntRepublicans in another message about Scalise speaking at a event hosted by a group founded by racist David Duke.

I have little sympathy for the Republican Congressman who got shot today because he viciously opposed President Obamas effort to reduce gun violence and instead, he accepted more gun lobby money than all but 15 other members of the House of Representatives, he said on Facebook.

The comments drew criticism from others who follow Devine on Facebook and Twitter.

But Devine told New Jersey 101.5 that he is not backing down, although he insists his comments were meant to shock but not advocate violence.

It is insensitive and I dont care. You want me to be politically correct? I dont have time for that anymore, he said.

Devine said his tweets were inspired by 2016 tweet by Tea Party-backed U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who repeated a quotation about the 2nd Amendment being about shoot[ing] at the government when it becomes tyrannical!

Devine said Republican policies to take away peoples healthcare, enact voter ID laws, and oppose gun regulations are his idea of tyrannical government.

Im not going to shy away from harsh rhetoric. We have a president elected largely by people who were tired of politicians who shied away from harsh rhetoric. I dont think its appropriate; Id much rather have a rational and reasonable debate. But we cant have that.

Im not apologizing if it offended snowflake Republicans, he added.

But other local Democrats did not agree with Devines attention-seeking tactics.

Union County Democratic Chairman Jerry Green on Thursday condemned the comments after a reporter read them to him.

In this day and age, we have to be very careful in what we say or how we say it, Green said. I do not support the hunting of any people Democrat or Republican.

Ive had Republican friends that I have developed over the 25-plus years in Trenton. I consider them to be good human beings, said Green, who is an assemblyman from Plainfield.

Devine is not an elected committeeman with the citys Democratic committee, nor is he a member of the citys Democratic club, municipal Chairman Kevin OBrien said Thursday.

I abhor all political violence. It has no place in our American democracy, he told New Jersey 101.5. And my prayers go out to the congressman, to the police officers and the other people who were wounded. It was a terrible, terrible tragedy, as are all senseless acts of violence.

Rahway Republican Chairman Patrick Cassio said that what Devine is saying is no different than what the shooter was saying.

This could have been a massacre and this nut is going to say that?

Devines website notes that he has been working on Democratic campaigns for three decades. Among the elected officials he has worked for are Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman, former Rahway Mayor James Kenned, former Hillside Mayor Joseph Menza, and Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz before he had a falling out with her.

In 2014, he ran against now-Mayor Sampson Steinman in his hometown of Rahway.

His partner, Lisa McCormick, this year raised money for an abortive campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but she dropped out before the June primary after not submitting a nominating petition with 1,000 signatures.

Devines website also includes a 2006 photo of him standing with U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. A spokesman for the senator on Thursday forcibly condemned Devines comments, adding that Menendez has absolutely no connection with Mr. Devine.

As for his comments on social media, the senator believes they are irresponsible, reckless, and only serve to fan the flames of division in this country, Steven Sandberg said. The senator is disturbed and appalled by his hateful, dangerous rhetoric.

Don't miss the next big NJ story! Like us on Facebook to stay in the know

Scalise on Thursday remained in critical condition after undergoing a third surgery.

As when U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in 2011 in Tucson, Arizona, Wednesdays shooting has drawn attention to heated and divisive political rhetoric.

The gunman, 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, who was shot and killed by police, left a trail of online comments excoriating Republicans.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi chastised sanctimonious Republicans for suggesting that rhetoric from liberals and progressives in the wake of President Donald Trumps election may have been partially responsible for the shooting.

How dare they say such a thing, how dare they, said Pelosi, who noted that shes been getting calls to her home and has been the target of attack ads in her latest re-election campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Also on New Jersey 101.5:

Subscribe to New Jersey 101.5 FM on

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-359-5348 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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'Hunt' Republicans, says Union County Democrat in response to shooting - New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio

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NICK RAHAIM

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | June 16, 2017, 8:57AM

| Updated 17 minutes ago.

A Santa Rosa man was pulled from his car Tuesday night and beaten by at least four teenagers who then drove off in his vehicle in a gang-related carjacking, Santa Rosa police said.

Around 10:10 p.m. Santa Rosa police found a man, who is not being identified, bleeding with significant injuries to his head and face in the 2300 block of Amethyst Way, police said.

The man claimed to have been pulled from his car and repeatedly punched and kicked by four teens while laying on the ground, police said.

Shortly after, a police officer spotted the mans vehicle at the Renaissance apartment complex on Kawana Springs Road, police said. The driver quickly parked and walked away from the vehicle, leaving the engine running.

The officer detained the 16-year-old Santa Rosa boy, who has known gang ties, police said. Over the next day detectives with the Gang Crime Team identified three additional suspects, two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old.

Police served a search warrant Thursday and arrested the three boys. The four teens, who are not being identified because of their age, were booked at the Juvenile Justice Center for carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury with gang enhancements.

Detectives believe the four boys are active gang participants and committed the carjacking and assault in association with other criminal street gang participants. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Take Back Our Community Program for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

You can reach Staff Writer Nick Rahaim at 707-521-5203 or nick.rahaim@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nrahaim.

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Four teens suspected in beating, Santa Rosa carjacking - Santa Rosa Press Democrat