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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

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The Hill's 12:30 Report: What to watch as Super Tuesday unfolds | Five key states | What each candidate needs | Biden gets bounce in new polls | Sanders poised to win most delegates | Bloomberg's spending, organization put to the test | Fed cuts rates amid coronavirus fears | Trump says it's not enough | Trump to visit NIH | Lawmakers face crunch on surveillance reforms, coronavirus funding

HAPPENING TODAY

SUPER-califragilisticexpiali-TUESDAY:

As voters in 14 states and a U.S. territory head to the polls today, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden National postal mail handlers union endorses Biden MORE got a bump with Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharEPA delivers win for ethanol industry angered by waivers to refiners It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates Biden marks anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, knocks Trump and McConnell MORE (D-Minn.) and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq A socially and environmentally just way to fight climate change MORE both dropping out and endorsing his bid.

Yikes, what a difference of a few weeks can make: "All of this was stupendous news for Biden, whose campaign was all but left for dead after he performed poorly in Iowa and New Hampshire. He's now emerging as the clear rival to Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (I-Vt.) for the Democratic nomination." (Via The Hill's Amie Parnes) http://bit.ly/2uQhusf

A likely outcome tonight: Sanders is expected to win the most delegates tonight. Why -- well, because of California and Texas: "[Sanders] should win California in blowout fashion, and he's maintained a healthy lead in polls of Texas throughout the early voting period, when more than 1 million people cast ballots in the Democratic primary." (Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley) http://bit.ly/39lRns1

When the polls close: Between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST. Here's a list by state: https://cbsn.ws/2VGKEFh

NEW POLL -- BIDEN GOT A BOUNCE:

The final FiveThirtyEight Super Tuesday forecast shows Biden and Sanders each likely to win seven states today. http://bit.ly/2uQxE4T

It's Tuesday. I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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Tidbit -- A CNN team ended up at the same restaurant as Biden and Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE:

WHAT EACH CANDIDATE NEEDS TO ACCOMPLISH:

Sanders: "Sanders goes into Super Tuesday as the front-runner. But he needs to solidify his advantage in key ways."

Biden: "His main goals are notching some wins and stopping Sanders from opening up a huge delegate lead."

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg: "Bloomberg needs to somehow get past Biden on Super Tuesday -- an objective that has been greatly complicated by the former vice president's South Carolina victory."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenNo new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (D-Mass.): "Survival is the name of the game for Warren."

Reasoning for each from The Hill's Niall Stanage: http://bit.ly/38ixRvj

FIVE STATES TO WATCH:

California -- With 415 delegates, the most of any state

Texas -- With 228 delegates up for grabs, the second most of any state

Massachusetts -- Warren's home state. If she doesn't perform well there, she will likely be done.

Virginia -- Because of Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support MORE. "Bloomberg has visited Virginia seven times, more than any other Super Tuesday state. The campaign has eight offices across the commonwealth, including in the Republican-leaning strongholds of Danville and Roanoke. More than 80 Bloomberg staffers are dispersed throughout Virginia."

Alabama -- "African American voters make up a large share of the Democratic vote in Alabama, making the state critical for candidates looking to appeal to a voting group that is widely considered the backbone of the Democratic Party."

Reasoning for each from The Hill's Julia Manchester: http://bit.ly/2Ic8Ze6

LATEST WITH THE CORONAVIRUS

Fed cuts interest rates:

The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates this morning amid fears of economic turmoil around the coronavirus. http://bit.ly/2PFjxq8

The interest rate cut: The Fed cut rates by 0.5 percentage points.

From The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC): "The fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain strong. However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage point, to 1 to 1‑1/4 percent."

REACTION FROM President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE -- NOT ENOUGH!:

The president tweeted, "The Federal Reserve is cutting but must further ease and, most importantly, come into line with other countries/competitors. We are not playing on a level field. Not fair to USA. It is finally time for the Federal Reserve to LEAD. More easing and cutting!" http://bit.ly/3asQLRp

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/3amsk8m

IN CONGRESS

On the docket before spring break:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, Congress has less than 10 working days to reauthorize surveillance programs and pass emergency funding to deal with the coronavirus before leaving for a mid-March break. http://bit.ly/2IcpE10

When Congress is leaving town: March 13

Where legislation stands: "Despite the urgency, there is no clear path for legislation to get through both chambers and to President Trump's desk. Sen. Roy Blunt Roy Dean BluntOn The Money: Trump undercuts GOP, calls for bigger COVID-19 relief package | Communities of color hit hardest financially by COVID-19 | Businesses, states pass on Trump payroll tax deferral Trump undercuts GOP, calls for bigger COVID-19 relief package Businesses, states pass on Trump payroll tax deferral MORE (R-Mo.), a member of leadership, said senators did not get clarity in a closed-door leadership meeting about how they would move the two forthcoming bills by next Friday."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Awww:

Smithsonian scientists & @ColumbusZoo have successfully transferred cheetah embryos produced by in vitro fertilization to a surrogate cheetah mom for the first time! Two cubs were born Feb. 19. https://t.co/NK6WkI8YGF @people — National Zoo (@NationalZoo) February 28, 2020





ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

11 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence met with members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

12:30 – 2:15 p.m. EST: Senators meet for weekly caucus luncheons. Vice President Pence attends both luncheons. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2x9AzGJ

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. EST: First and last votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2PJM8e2

3:15 p.m. EST: President Trump and Vice President Pence tour the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory in Bethesda, Md.

4:15 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence leads a White House Coronavirus Task Force meeting.

WHAT TO WATCH

11 a.m. EST: President Trump spoke at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2VGHe56

2:30 p.m. EST: President Trump and Vice President Pence participate in a roundtable briefing at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2x7CHyz

5:30 p.m. EST: Members of the Coronavirus Task Force hold a press briefing.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Mulled Wine Day!

And because you made it this far, here's a wombat chomping on some grass: http://bit.ly/2TgM0Vo