THE LEDE

President Trump’s confrontation with Iran turned the attention of most Americans away, again, from both elections and impeachment. As of last week on the campaign trail, candidates were still talking about health care and other domestic issues, but with a dash of criticism of Trump’s global leadership thrown in. It’s unclear how much of an issue war will be in the primary, but in Brooklyn Tuesday, a surreal split scene unfolded as Elizabeth Warren celebrated Julián Castro as her newest endorser while Iran sent missiles into Iraq aimed at US military bases.

A real contrast on war: You got a glimpse of how different Bernie Sanders (and Andrew Yang, and Tulsi Gabbard) are from the rest of the candidates, and how they might be different as president. Where the others were sure to stress that Iran and its slain general are enemies of the US, Sanders just doesn't — and never did — buy into either liberal or conservative arguments for war. He’d be the closest thing to an anti-war president the country has had in a very long time.

Yang Gang: Yang, by the way, is for real, I think — and I talked to him about it last week. I also asked him about my hobbyhorse: that if he loses, he could run for mayor of New York. He replied, “After eight years as president, we’ll see if I have an appetite for mayor.”

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Nina Turner

Nina Turner is a cochair of Bernie Sanders’ campaign but has become a visible political presence in her own right over the last decade, first in her native Cleveland and as an Ohio state senator and then a talking head on cable. Her staunch loyalty — after initially favoring Hillary Clinton in the lead-up to 2016 — has earned her a place high in the Bernie command. I chatted with her about the state of Bernie 2020 and her own future in politics.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Selfie of Nina Turner. BEN SIMTH: What are you hearing from voters about Iran, and particularly about Bernie's position?

NINA TURNER: Hmmm, good question. I think this is a contrast we are happy to draw especially with VP Biden. Voters appreciate SBS's consistency on this issue (like several other areas). He has sometimes cast lonely votes on foreign policy-- i.e. war in Iraq, NAFTA, PNTR.... Whereas VP Biden's record on these issues have been questionable. *side eye emoji* *wide eye blush emoji* . BEN SMITH: And yet black voters, in particular, seem to be sticking with Biden. What changes that?

NINA TURNER: I hope emojis are allowed *crying laughing emoji* . BEN SMITH: They are encouraged/required *three prayer emojis* NINA TURNER: *three laughing crying emojis*

NINA TURNER: In terms of Black voters, SBS is making great strides - especially among Black voters ages 18-34/ Every candidate should have to EARN their support from voters in every election cycle. What will continue to allow Sen Sanders to gain ground in the AFAM community is his commitment to issues like eradication institutional poverty, Medicare For All, Universal Public Education, Student Debt Relief, Criminal Justice Reform, Min Wage, etc etc...

What really matters here, imho is that the more the Black community gets to interact with him and absorb his vision, the more they will gravitate to our campaign. I've seen this on the road ALL THE TIME and all over the country and it's giving me great joy. As people are paying greater attention, we've seen Sen Sanders rise in the polls (among Black voters and other communities of color). I can for on and on... lol. But I'll stop there.

BEN SMITH: Over to, I guess, mostly white voters: Warren and Sanders speak to some of the same people. Why do you think she appears to be fading a little? NINA TURNER: Hmmmm. BEN SMITH: That all I'm getting on that? NINA TURNER: Give me a minute. Formulating my thoughts here... lol.

They may not necessarily have the same base. It is very apparent (and a lot of data shows) that Sen sanders base is very working class....and that also includes white voters (let's not forget that when we say ''working class'' we mean people from all background). That includes teachers (our number one category of donor profession) as well as Amazon workers, Starbucks, Walmart, Target and USPS workers. Better? Lol.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Excerpt from a BuzzFeed article reading: ''So yeah, there are many copies. But there is only one original. I don't know why you would take the copy, baby, when you could have the original,'' Turner said. ''There is only one Sen. Bernard Sanders.'' ''There's only one. There's only one. There's only one. There's only one. There's only one. There's only one,'' she said six times. BEN SMITH: So you told my colleague Ruby Cramer this the other day. Should this make Democrats nervous that if Bernie doesn't win, his supporters will walk away and let Trump get reelected? NINA TURNER: Not at all.

BEN SMITH: Do you have any advice, based on your experience last time, for the supporters of the losing candidates -- assuming that's not Bernie? Are you worried about how divisive it could get? NINA TURNER: I'd say this primary is a contest. And as with any contest, contrasts need to be made... a candidate's record should be openly discussed. Voters need to be able to look at their history and their VISION *two eyes emojis* . BEN SMITH: I remembered this old tweet, and I have to ask you -- who did you vote for in 2016??

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Screenshot of Nina Turner retweet reply to Neera Tanden accusing Nina Turner of voting for Jill Stein on 8/20/19 reading: You don't know who the hell I voted for. Don't bring it here @neeratanden. You don't want to do this dance. It's because of mean, hateful neo-liberals like you that we have Trump in the White House. Own your sh*t. Don't ever come for me. I only had one momma and she's dead. NINA TURNER: Hmmm. Invoking Neera Tanden is a non starter. Next Question please. *side eye emoji, angry swearing emoji* . BEN SMITH: Cmon!

This election is about more than just defeating Trump. It's about transforming this country and changing the material conditions of the poor and barely middle class. This is what SBS's life's work is about. This is what our campaign is about. *Two lightbulb emojis* . BEN SMITH: Finally enough about Bernie. Henry Gomez tells me there's a lot of chatter about you running for office in Ohio. What's next for Nina Turner??? NINA TURNER: Oh, Henry... *three laughing crying emojis*

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Gif of Will Smith saying, ''oh snap!'' BEN SMITH: Alright. Just let him break the news when you decide. Thanks for doing this.

NINA TURNER: I am honored that there continues to be chatter about what I might do next, especially in my hometown of CLEVELAND, Ohio! My main focus at this point is to help Sen. Bernard Sanders become the 46th POTUS. *Prayer emoji* *fist emoji* I have plenty of time to decide my next steps. Whatever those next steps are, it will be in service to the people and continuing to build a people-powered movement!!!!!!!! BEN SMITH: That's impressively on message, my compliments to Angelo *two eyes emojis*

NINA TURNER: IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Sarah Paulson gif saying, ''I'm done here.'' Wow really? Are you inferring that I *crying laughing emoji* cannot stay on message? Repeat: IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Sarah Paulson gif saying, ''I'm done here.''

BEN SMITH: Well, that's a great place to end it. Thank you for subjecting yourself to this. NINA TURNER: Thank you, Ben. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was fun *crying laughing emoji*. My first time doing a text interview. Appreciate it much. SNT

ON THE TRAIL WITH BUZZFEED NEWS

Rosie and Miriam reported on the reaction from Fox News on Trump’s Iran confrontation, and Trump, a source said, has been watching the network’s analysis with great interest.

Henry had the exclusive on Joe Biden’s new plan to win Iowa voters: gun control.

Also from Henry: Bloomberg is making a big bet in Ohio.

On the Hill, Kadia reports that Republicans seem to be just fine with Trump tweeting his way through any confrontations with Iran.

Trump family instagram accounts were the target of a big pro-Iran campaign, Jane and Jeremy scooped.

📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Ben Smith, Veronica Dulin, and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.

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