<em>The Atlantic</em> Politics Daily: That Time Sanders Nearly Primaried Obama

Obama himself isn’t expected to chime in until the convention this summer. That calculated silence is especially tough for one particular candidate … Obama’s own vice president. Joe Biden’s candidacy is largely predicated on his closeness to Obama, but in 2016, when Biden had pondered running for president, Obama had talked him out of it. What one Obama adviser told the then-veep:

“Do you really want it to end in a hotel room in Des Moines, coming in third to Bernie Sanders?”

—Saahil Desai

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« DEBATE REFRESHER »

(PATRICK SEMANSKY / AP)

Six candidates take the stage tonight for the ninth (yes, ninth) Democratic primary debate. Here’s where we left them:

‣ Mike Bloomberg: He’s the Democratic debate stage’s newest face, but progressives can’t wait to rain on his parade.

‣ Joe Biden: After two disappointing primary performances for the VP, was the Ukraine scandal more damaging for him than for Trump?

‣ Pete Buttigieg: It was everybody vs. Pete on the last debate stage. Another round in Vegas?

‣ Amy Klobuchar: After a New Hampshire surge, will the so-called “Klomentum” continue tonight?

‣ Bernie Sanders: Nevada will be his biggest test among Latino voters.

‣ Elizabeth Warren: New Hampshire might’ve been her last stand. Maybe?

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« EVENING READ »

(DOUG MILLS / THE NEW YORK TIMES / REDUX)

The First Days of the Trump Regime

The signs that President Trump feels emboldened after his GOP-led acquittal in the Senate earlier this month. He’s retaliated against impeachment weaknesses, pressured his attorney general on Twitter, and claimed an “absolute right” to determine who the Justice Department prosecutes.

Those are the first steps toward an authoritarian government takeover, Adam Serwer writes:

These recent events are not the only evidence that the United States has entered a process of authoritarianization. Aside from Trump’s claim, effectively uncontested by Senate Republicans, that he can unilaterally direct the Justice Department to prosecute anyone he wants, Trump has asserted blanket authority to block congressional oversight. His office has claimed that he can blithely ignore congressional appropriations as he sees fit. The Republican-controlled Senate has ratified Trump’s authority to interfere in American elections, while helping install judges who understand that their paramount obligation is to shield Trump from accountability.

Read the full essay.

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Today’s newsletter was written by Saahil Desai, an associate editor on the Politics desk and Christian Paz, a Politics fellow. It was edited by Shan Wang, who oversees newsletters.

You can reply directly to this newsletter with questions or comments, or send a note to politicsdaily@theatlantic.com.

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Saahil Desai is an associate editor at The Atlantic, where he covers politics and policy.

Christian Paz is an editorial fellow at The Atlantic.