The New York Times 2010s: on Technology


Donald Trump: 2016: cheered on WikiLeaks releasing Hillary's stolen emails

Mueller showed a rare flash of indignation regarding WikiLeaks. Mueller called Mr. Trump's encouragement of WikiLeaks "problematic." WikiLeaks published emails stolen by Russian agents during the 2016 campaign, first from the Democratic National Committee, then from Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta. Mr. Trump cheered the group on repeatedly, praised its actions and urged voters to read the purloined communications.

Representative Mike Quigley, Democrat of Illinois, questioned Mueller on Mr. Trump's response to WikiLeaks. Mr. Mueller did not mince words: "It's problematic -- is an understatement, in terms of what it displays in terms of giving some hope or some boost to what is and should be illegal activity," Mr. Mueller responded.

Source: NYTimes on 2019 Congressional Testimony on Mueller Report Jul 24, 2019

Drew Edmondson: Use tobacco settlement to fund school technology

While serving as AG, Edmondson was one of 8 attorneys general to negotiate a settlement with tobacco companies. He then led efforts to establish the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, which protected the settlement money and ensured it can only be spent on public health. He negotiated a settlement in 2001 with then Southwestern Bell to establish the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust. The trust has invested more than $12 million in technology and training into Oklahoma schools.
Source: Sequoyah County Times on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race Mar 7, 2018

Chelsea Manning: Business is collecting data on us, creating a life pattern

The real power of mass data collection lies in the hand-tailored algorithms capable of sifting, sorting and identifying patterns within the data itself. When enough information is collected over time, governments and corporations can use or abuse those patterns to predict future human behavior. Our data establishes a "pattern of life" from seemingly harmless digital residue like cellphone tower pings, credit card transactions and web browsing histories.
Source: N.Y. Times on 2018 Maryland Senate race Sep 13, 2017

Jeb Bush: BlackBerry pictured in official gubernatorial portrait

A spokeswoman for Jeb Bush, said, "from time to time, Governor Bush of course passed along information or requests to the White House, which were routed to appropriate channels. There is nothing odd or inappropriate about that," she added.

Bush's reliance on written communications presages his habits as an elected official. As governor, he was known to spend up to 30 hours a week on email and so adored his BlackBerry that he insisted on featuring the device in his official portrait.

The archives at the Bush and Reagan libraries contain more than 1,200 pages of documents relating to Bush, capturing dozens of exchanges between him and the White House staff. But even that may represent just a fraction of his messages, since the archives are incomplete.

Source: N.Y. Times 2015 profiles of 2016 Presidential hopefuls Feb 15, 2015

Chris Christie: Bridgegate: Staff made some significant mistakes in judgment

Christie seemed determined to reassert himself as a Republican standard-bearer, despite the imbroglio over accusations of political intimidation. After weeks of subdued and somber appearances, at which he spoke of soul-searching and self-flagellation [over Bridgegate], it was the old Chris Christie who emerged: he boasted of his daughter Bridget's aggression on the basketball court ("it's almost embarrassing").

Asked about the bridge controversy, Christie replied that large organizations are "inherently flawed because they are inhabited by human beings."

"Some people who worked for me made some significant mistakes in judgment," he said, leaving it at that.

Former Gov. Ted Strickland (D, OH) was on hand to ensure that the controversy was not cast off so tidily, saying he found it hard to swallow the claim that Christie was unaware of his administration's role in the lane closings: "Either the governor knew & he is lying or he is the most inept, incompetent chief executive imaginable.

Source: NY Times on "NY Region" in 2013, 2016 presidential hopefuls Feb 12, 2014

Elizabeth Warren: Push for spending on infrastructure

When pressed on what kind of formidable legislation she would actually pursue in the Senate, Warren's organization served up a snoozy list of the priorities that Democrats have been talking about for years: she will push for spending on infrastructure, education and renewable energy. She will work to strengthen labor unions and advocate for the reregulation of the big banks while easing regulations that make it difficult for small businesses and community banks to compete with giants.

These are fine notions; there's a reason they've long been the mainstays of an imagined liberal revolution. But they're also the ideas that cause Congress to immediately grind to a halt and that, when packaged in nonspecific campaign-speak, are quickly drained of meaning.

Source: By Rebecca Traister in New York Times on 2012 election Nov 18, 2011

  • The above quotations are from Media coverage of political races in The New York Times, 2010-2019.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Technology:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2021