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WikiLeaks founder and editor-in-chief Julian Assange said on Tuesday, without offering any proof, that Hillary Clinton and intelligence officials "close to" Vice President Mike Pence are working to undermine Donald Trump's presidency in an effort to replace him with his vice president.

In the first of a pair of tweets from an account WikiLeaks said was activated by its founder, Assange claimed that Trump's 2016 presidential election opponent Hillary Clinton stated privately this month that she is "pushing for a Pence takeover." He claimed Clinton views Pence as "predictable hence defeatable."

The second tweet alleges two unnamed intelligence community officials "close to Pence" stated privately this month that they are planning on a "Pence takeover." Assange did not say whether that means they are behind the plans or if they are simply expecting a takeover. He also said the two intelligence officials didn't state whether Pence agrees with the takeover.

The Washington Examiner has reached out to both Pence's and Clinton's offices for comment.

In a radio interview with Laura Ingraham, Pence said Assange's tweets are "absurd" and "frankly offensive."

"I would find all of that dialogue to be absurd and frankly offensive," Pence said. "It is the greatest honor of my life to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with the 45th president of the United States. To see his leadership every day, to see the compassion that he has for the American people every day. I would dismiss that out of hand and tell you that I'm just, I'm so excited about the progress that we've been made strengthening this country, protecting this country, reviving this country's economy and all credit goes to President Donald Trump."

Also from the Washington Examiner

Democrats are blaming the recent decline in Obamacare enrollments to "sabotage" by the Trump administration.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Trump's executive actions since taking office, including scaling back advertising for the law, have caused the drop in enrollments in 2017. Pelosi, D-Calif., called the moves part of "a cynical ad willful campaign" to depress enrollment.

Obamacare enrollments have dropped by about half a million people in 2017 compared to 2016, the Trump administration reported Wednesday.

"As of December 24, 11.5 million Americans had signed up for coverage in the marketplaces about 300,000 more than at the same time in the previous year," Pelosi said.

03/15/17 3:44 PM

After the interview, Assange noted that the plan that his sources talked about was impeachment, and not any other kind of action.

The intelligence community published a report in January concluding that Russia worked to tip the 2016 election in Trump's favor through a series of hacks of Democratic officials' emails. The report said that Russian operatives chose websites like WikiLeaks to publish the material a claim that WikiLeaks denies.

WikiLeaks published last week the first in a series of what it claims are documents stolen from the CIA's secret hacking program, calling it the "Vault 7" leak, which shows the agency's capability to break into a number of devices.

Several right-wing news outlets, like Breitbart News and the Federalist, have run stories in recent days alleging that former President Barack Obama is developing a "shadow government" to take down Trump's administration. These articles follow a number of leaks from unnamed officials that have raised questions about the Trump team's ties to Russia and Trump's assertion, without proof, that Obama ordered a wiretap of Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.

Also from the Washington Examiner

Comey to brief senators but Graham not invited.

03/15/17 3:39 PM

See original here:
Assange claims Hillary Clinton 'pushing' for a Pence takeover - Washington Examiner

Mr Putin, he said, was pleased that Mr Trump defeated Mrs Clinton,but he insisted that Russia did not intervene.

The candidate Hillary Clinton was quite negative declaring Russia the main evil, the main threat, he said.

Whom would you like better the one that says Russia is evil? Or the one that says yes, we disagree, but lets find points of agreement?

He said his initial contact with Mr Trump was quite promising, but Russia was increasingly disappointed with the response from the Trump administration.

We dont have a proper understanding of the future, he said. We certainly would expect our contacts to be more frequent, more in depth, because we had quite a significant pause.

We were losing potential by blaming everything on Earth on each other.

We do worry. Public opinion if you load with a huge burden of fake news, fake blaming on Russia, repeat every day numerous times that Russia is interfering, guilty of trying to hack, that everything that goes wrong in the country is the fault of Russia.

We want to see this hysteria coming to its logic end. Better sooner than later.

Read the rest here:
Hillary Clinton's team met with Russian ambassador, says Kremlin spokesman, as he warns against 'hysteria' - Telegraph.co.uk

West Scranton residents Mary Clare Kingsley and her younger sister, Jane Duffy Shrive, grew up in a large Irish Catholic family that instilled values of resilience, determination and love for family first.

Kingsley, the eldest of nine children of Clarence Duffy and the late Mary C. Duffy, and Shrive, the middle child, said they developed a bond closer than most siblings because their clan always was in it together to get by.

So it made sense that the longtime members of the Society of Irish Women stepped up to be co-presidents together this year. Theyll celebrate this milestone theyre the first pair of sisters to helm the group of about 100 in a year during the societys 19th annual St. Patricks Day dinner celebration Friday.

Kingsley and Shrive also revel in how the group lined up Hillary Clinton as keynote speaker. The sisters hoped to bring in the former Secretary of State and presidential candidate for the event, which they always attended with their mother before she died in 2011. They believe the former first lady embodies many of the qualities they learned at their parents knees, not least of all because Clintons father, the late Hugh Rodham, also grew up in Scranton.

I just think it was wonderful growing up in a big family. We didnt have a lot, but we valued everything we had. We shared a lot, but it never mattered to us, because we were happy, Shrive said. Thats why we wanted a woman who would portray giving, being a good person and being all about her family. Every time I think about it, I think about my mom smiling down on us and how proud shed be.

Were hoping (Clinton is) going to inspire ... and unite us. After all, our group is an organization that tries to bring women to the forefront, Kingsley agreed. She made me believe that a woman can do anything. I think she can bring a lot back to our area to make women feel important, do what they need to do and be proud of it.

Evie Rafalko McNulty, mistress of ceremonies for Fridays event, is a founding member of the society and sent a letter to Clinton every year inviting her to the dinner. The Lackawanna County recorder of deeds said she feels psyched to finally have Clinton there, an accomplishment McNulty attributed to Shrive and Kingsleys dedicated work.

They secured the appearance in large part through the efforts of Scranton resident Virginia McGregor, an ardent Clinton supporter who hosted fundraisers in her Green Ridge home during Clintons presidential campaign. McGregor will offer a few remarks and introduce Clinton at the dinner.

Im thrilled and so honored that Mary Clare and Jane included me on this important, historic night, McGregor said. Im very much looking forward to it. It is important to note that no one else with NEPA roots has achieved what (Clinton) has (being) first lady, a U.S. senator, Secretary of State and nominee of a major party for president. During all that, she advocated for peace in Ireland and women and children throughout the world. All of those accomplishments are worth celebrating. She has made us all very proud.

A formal invitation went to Clinton in December, and she accepted in late January, though it remained secret among just a handful of society members until Feb. 22 while they worked out the logistics to handle what they correctly foresaw as the greatest call for tickets the group ever had.

We wanted to have (Clinton) share her courage and resilience and dedication to women and this country, Kingsley said. Women have had to fight for everything theyve gotten: for positions, for salaries, everything.

Past dinners have drawn presidential candidates, sitting vice presidents and other national speakers, McNulty noted, and things happen for a reason. We could use a boost of (Clinton). Like the co-presidents, she expects to Clintons remarks to dazzle dinner guests.

(Clinton) is what most women and young women aspire to be: a strong, determined woman, McNulty said. Shes just the epitome of grace. She has taken a blow that is being felt worldwide and still risen above and shined above (it) and taught us to move on.

Nov. 8 (Election Day) wasnt the end of the world. Shes got a couple thousand friends here to have dinner with. I just want her to feel at home. Shell give an inspiring speech, there is no doubt of that. Im hoping in the middle of it all, we can have a couple laughs, and in the next journey of her life, Scranton will be on her mind.

And while Clinton certainly marks a highlight of the night, society members and guests look forward to the celebration year after year for the networking opportunities and memories it provides. Music by Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band and soloists and chorale singers from Valley View High School set the scene for Irish revelry.

The energy is ecstatic, Kingsley said. You dont have to be Irish to be there, but youll feel like you are by the end of the night.

Her sister called it such a special night.

You leave your worries at home, theres wonderful Irish music, and everybodys happy to see each other, Shrive said. Its so uplifting.

This group is not just about meeting once a year at dinner, though, she added. We are all about giving. We do lots of fundraisers, donate and help prepare hot meals at St. Stanislaus kitchen and St. Francis (of Assisi) Kitchen. We sing at the nursing homes at Christmas and bring cookies, give socks, hats and gloves to schools, and gave out valentines for every patient at five different nursing homes.

Its a spirit of generosity and kindness Shrive and Kingsley said they owe to their dad, who always worked at least two jobs and walked both ways to each, and their mom, who stayed at home to raise their three sons and six daughters.

I was brought up in an Irish home and always celebrated St. Patricks Day, Kingsley said. Im proud to be doing this with my sister. We always went to this (dinner) with our mom, so we cherish this.

Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com, @pwildingTT on Twitter

If you go

What: 19th annual Society of Irish Women St. Patricks Day dinner celebration featuring keynote speaker Hillary Clinton

When: Friday; cocktails start at 5:30 p.m., and dinner follows at 7

Where: Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave.

Meet the co-presidents

Mary Clare Kingsley

At home: She is the oldest of nine children of Clarence Duffy and the late Mary C. Duffy and has been married to Gerald for 41 years. She has three children, Brian and wife, Marilyn; Kelly and husband, Luqman; and Kim, plus four grandchildren, Elias, Logan, Aidan and Sahmira.

At work: Retired after 25 years as a confidential payroll secretary in Scranton School District

Jane Duffy Shrive

At home: She is the middle of nine children of Clarence Duffy and the late Mary C. Duffy and has been married to Dennis for 34 years. She has three children, attorney Jason and wife, Jennifer; Jeff and wife, Stacey; and Eric and wife, Karlie, plus four grandchildren, Duffy, Connor, Tanner and Sophia.

At work: Special-education paraprofessional for 19 years in Scranton School District

2017 honoree

During Fridays dinner, Jefferson Twp. resident Mary Ellen Coleman also will give brief remarks after the Society of Irish Women honors her for her charitable efforts with numerous groups, including St. Josephs Center, Scranton Tomorrow, United Way of Lackawanna County and Scranton Area Foundation. In particular, Coleman focuses her energies on serving children and adults with special needs, single moms, the lonely and the less fortunate.

We honor (individuals) for their contributions to the people of this area, and she volunteers and supports so many nonprofits, society co-president Mary Clare Kingsley said. Shes a wonderful woman.

Read the original here:
Society of Irish Women ready to celebrate with Hillary Clinton as speaker - Scranton Times-Tribune

Street vendors selling anti-Trump buttons stand on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.

Tamara Beckwith

TAMPA The 2015 Opening Day lineup for Double-A Trenton...

While campaigning to be president of the United States, Donald Trump promised to create jobs. But this is probably not what he had in mind.

Liberal New Yorkers are making bank selling anti-Trump merchandise at protests. And theyre suddenly not as upset over Hillarys Clintons loss.

I voted for Hillary, but Im almost happy that Trump won, said Manhattanite Paul Rossen, 55, Its given me a new economic opportunity.

Rossen is a player in the citys new protest economy one of several vendors who show up at marches and demonstrations hawking hats, shirts, flags and other resistance-chic accoutrements. He even sells his self-made buttons, which depict the president as a pile of feces and Adolf Hitler, on Fifth Avenue across from Trump Tower.

And it can be a lucrative hustle. Rossen said that he has grossed $1,000 during a single day. He began selling the buttons before the election and admitted, I thought it would end once Hillary won.

Another self-employed vendor, Sharon John, told The Post, I sold 500 anti-Trump buttons in just one day at the Womens March [in January]. This past Wednesday the 60-year-old set up a table peddling flags, pussy hats and Not My President badges at the International Womens Day strike in Washington Square Park.

Six months ago, however, John was making money off the candidate she voted for: Hillary Clinton. The Harlem resident hopped on a Greyhound bus and followed [Clinton] to towns in Virginia and Chapel Hill and Charlotte [in North Carolina] selling merch.

Still, neither politician has proven as lucrative a bet as Johns top mover. I made $7,000 selling [Pope Francis] things in three days, she said of the pontiffs 2015 visit to New York City.

During Januarys Womens March, chain stores even got in on the political action, with electronics retailer Best Buy selling portable phone chargers outside of its Fifth Avenue store, located on the march route.

Also reaping the benefits of the Trump administration is John Carney, 59, of Manhattan. An out-of-work media consultant, he makes ends meet by engaging in what he calls entrepreneurial activism. Carney uses Photoshop and the Face Swap app to create high-concept anti-Trump buttons. One, riffing on a Stalin-era Soviet propaganda poster, shows Trump as a baby being hoisted up by Putin.

Generally, the merchants spend about 50 cents per button then sell them for $5 a pop.

Theres nothing wrong with capitalism, said Rossen.

And hes not above selling his soul, should the opportunity arise: If Trumps supporters wanted to buy buttons favoring him, I would sell those.

Go here to read the rest:
These Hillary fans are suddenly thrilled with the Trump bump - New York Post

Director James Comey is sworn in before testifying at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the "Oversight of the State Department" in Washington U.S. July 7, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

Do you remember how you felt last October after you heard that FBI Director James Comey was reopening the FBIs investigation into Hillary Clintons possible illegal handling of classified communiqus while Secretary of Statejust 11 days before the presidential election?

That news, which left me with a sinking feeling that all but erased the confidence I had in Clintons prospects after the three presidential debates, was the moment that Donald Trump won the election, according to an analysis released this week by a data firm that tracks the psychological elements below patterns of consumer behavior, moods and sentiment.

Many Americansand particularly those of us working in data-driven businesseswould like to see a credible, fact-based explanation for why the polls seemed to indicate a Clinton victory, but the election instead produced President Trump, wrote Brad Fay, an executive with Engagement Labs, in the Huffington Post. Fay notes that pollsters were not all wrong, as Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes. But I do believe it was possible to show that the possibility of a Trump victory was rising more rapidly in the final week than opinion pollsand related prediction modelsshowed.

Fay said his firms behavior-tracking model found what many voters and analysts have suspected, that Comeys October surprise was the tipping point that turned voter sentiment away from Clintonbecause people inclined to give Clinton the benefit of the doubt lost their enthusiasm, just as Comeys announcement buoyed Trump voters.

We are using a survey to measure behavior rather than opinion data, Fay explained. Although it is not our main line of business, every four years since 2008, we have added a few special questions to pick up the daily conversation about presidential candidates during the General Election campaign. Only after Election Day last year did we go back to see what the data showed, and it was startling. The first thing to know is that people were talking very negatively about both Trump and Clinton, in contrast to the mostly positive conversations we see for products and brands.

While both candidates were always firmly in negative territory, Clinton nevertheless enjoyed a persistent lead over Trump that opened up after the first debate, he said. Both candidates experienced significant drops in the immediate aftermath of the infamous audio recording of Billy Bush and Donald Trump [boasting of sexual assaults], although Clinton still had the advantage.

But then came Comeys unprecedented interference in the election, which registered on a much deeper level than the political polls were probing, Fay said.

Immediately afterward, there was a 17-point drop in net sentiment for Clinton, and an 11-point rise for Trump, enough for the two candidates to switch places in the rankings, with Clinton in more negative territory than Trump, he said. At a time when opinion polling showed perhaps a 2-point decline in the margin for Clinton, this conversation data suggests a 28-point change in the word of mouth standings. The change in word of mouth favorability metric was stunning, and much greater than the traditional opinion polling revealed.

Based on this finding, it is our conclusion that the Comey letter, 11 days before the election, was the precipitating event behind Clintons loss, despite the letter being effectively retracted less than a week later, Fay continued. In such a close election, there may have been dozens of factors whose absence would have reversed the outcome, such as the influence campaign of the Russian government as detailed by U.S. intelligence services. But the sudden change in the political conversation after the Comey letter suggests it was the single, most indispensable factor in the surprise election result.

His analysis noted that traditional polling does not take into account how people often react en masse: behavior predicts behavior, the invisible offline conversation matters and humans are a herding species.

Its not that traditional political polls arent to be trusted, but rather that they expect people to act more rationally than is the case in reality; in other words, they put too much stock in believing what those polled say and too little stock in tracing what those polled may do.

Political consultants and commercial marketers alike have relied on a model that presumes voters and consumers act according to rational, individual choices that they can express and explain, Fay said. What we are learning is that emotion and peer influence play much bigger roles in influencing behavior than previously understood.

Fays takeaway is not just that the FBI directors interference single-handedly tipped the election away from Clinton and to Trump, but also that if you experienced that announcement as a gut-punch moment, you werent aloneand your political instincts were correct.

See the rest here:
FBI Director James Comey's 'October Surprise' doomed Hillary Clinton's candidacy: analysis - Raw Story