To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw

To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN

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

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump to speak on coronavirus, rips media coverage | Lawmakers alarmed over Trump response | Azar downplays odds of Trump tapping virus 'czar' | Winners, losers from fiery South Carolina Dem debate | Five key takeaways | Pelosi comfortable with Sanders atop ticket | Clyburn endorses Biden ahead of Saturday primary | National Pistachio Day

NEWS THIS MORNING

Let's get down to business,

To defeat,

The Trump:

Seven presidential candidates fought for attention on the Charleston, S.C., debate stage last night, four days before the state's primary and seven days before Super Tuesday.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:

Winners: Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll GOP set to release controversial Biden report Can Donald Trump maintain new momentum until this November? MORE, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE (I-Vt.)

Mixed: Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharBattle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates Klobuchar: GOP can't use 'raw political power right in middle of an election' MORE (D-Minn.) and Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D)

Losers: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergTop Democratic super PAC launches Florida ad blitz after Bloomberg donation The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE, businessman Tom Steyer Tom SteyerTV ads favored Biden 2-1 in past month Inslee calls Biden climate plan 'perfect for the moment' OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump administration finalizes plan to open up Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling | California finalizes fuel efficiency deal with five automakers, undercutting Trump | Democrats use vulnerable GOP senators to get rare win on environment MORE and CBS News.

Reasoning for each: http://bit.ly/2HXUZEx

It's Ash Wednesday. 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.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

FIVE TAKEAWAYS:

1. Rivals desperate to stop Sanders http://bit.ly/2TkontM

2. Warren is hellbent on sinking Bloomberg

3. Candidates are battling to win over black voters

4. Candidates frantically searching for attention, votes before Super Tuesday

5. Debate will raise fears about negativity among the candidates http://bit.ly/2PtfE7w

Context and details for each: http://bit.ly/2T1LWJ4

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

The most awkward line of the night: Bloomberg tried to make a joke, but it fell flat. "I am surprised that all of my fellow contestants up here ... showed up ... I would've thought after I did such a good job beating them last week, they would've been afraid to do that." http://bit.ly/2wazCgt



Yeah, come on: "lol The candidates were really and truly asked what their personal motto is? And no-one answered 'To Infinity--And Beyond!' or 'Semper Ubi Sub Ubi' or even just 'I Can't Believe This Is Happening'?" (From Duke University Professor Kieran Healy) http://bit.ly/2HZNFIF

Commentary on the ties: The Government Affairs Institute's Matt Glassman tweeted, "Year in which I owned/wore each male candidate's tie:

Buttigieg: 1983, Kindergarten graduation

Steyer: 1992, 8th grade dance

Bernie: 1997, college semi-formal

Bloomberg: 2002, poli sci conference, trying too hard

Biden: 2006, new on Hill, trying too hard" http://bit.ly/2wcegiP

The audience was very involved: "The crowd at this debate is coming off with a real 'in front of a live studio audience' feel." (Via The Atlantic's Edward-Isaac Dovere) http://bit.ly/393dx2f

Buttigieg's poker face isn't the greatest: Here's a look at Buttigieg's facial expression as Warren slammed Bloomberg. Photo: http://bit.ly/32u6tZT

Just in case the debate wasn't enough face time: Here's a Bloomberg ad running during the debate's commercial break. Photo: http://bit.ly/2w2TnGV

Lol!:

Every woman everywhere all the time. pic.twitter.com/n4VrlCJCiZ — Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) February 26, 2020

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Happening at 6 p.m. -- 'now let me tell you what's really going on':

This morning, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE lashed out at media coverage of the coronavirus and announced a 6 p.m. EST press conference to discuss his administration's response. http://bit.ly/2wPh85K

Trump tweeted: "Low Ratings Fake News MSDNC (Comcast) & @CNN are doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible. Likewise their incompetent Do Nothing Democrat comrades are all talk, no action. USA in great shape! @CDCgov....." http://bit.ly/2wP6uMl

And added: "I will be having a News Conference at the White House, on this subject, today at 6:00 P.M. CDC representatives, and others, will be there. Thank you!" http://bit.ly/2Psmavj

Livestream of Trump's 6 p.m. press conference: https://cs.pn/3cazqPa

AND TRUMP PRAISED HIS ADMINISTRATION'S HANDLING OF THE VIRUS:

"Just landed. India was great, trip very successful," President Trump tweeted. "Heading to the White House. Meetings and calls scheduled today. [the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)], [Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar] and all doing a great job with respect to Coronavirus! Briefing this afternoon." http://bit.ly/2TcrUdO

MEANWHILE -- LAWMAKERS ARE EXPRESSING GROWING ALARMS OVER CORONAVIRUS:

http://bit.ly/2PtfCfU

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2w5e70I

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

A poorly kept secret:

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn James (Jim) Enos ClyburnAzar to testify before House coronavirus subcommittee Attacks against the police are organized and violent Clark rolls out endorsements in assistant Speaker race MORE (D-S.C.) endorsed Biden's presidential campaign this morning, three days before Clyburn's state of South Carolina votes. http://bit.ly/3a2DWwY

Clyburn tweeted: "I know Joe Biden. I know his character, his heart, and his record. Joe Biden has stood for the hard-working people of South Carolina. We know Joe. But more importantly, he knows us. In South Carolina, we choose presidents. I'm calling on you to stand with @JoeBiden." Read his announcement on Twitter: http://bit.ly/3a835qm

Why this is an important endorsement: "Clyburn, a 27-year veteran of the House, is among the most influential Democrats in South Carolina. Biden has been courting the congressman's endorsement for months, and the announcement on Wednesday is likely to help cement the former vice president's strong support among many of the black voters that will play an outsize role in the Palmetto State's nominating contest on Saturday."

Second impressions:

The Boston Globe announced its endorsement of Warren's presidential bid. http://bit.ly/2w3HC38

Why this is particularly interesting: Shortly after announcing her presidential bid in 2018, the Globe wrote a scathing review, calling her a "divisive figure." http://bit.ly/32uOjHw

From the Globe's endorsement: "Fearless and brilliant on her feet, Warren has the greatest potential among the candidates to lay bare Trump's weaknesses on a debate stage. The Senator gets the most mileage when she brings her fight not to caricatures of billionaires in wine caves but to the real people in the room with her -- whether businessmen or bureaucrats -- who have failed to fulfill the responsibilities of public service or whose plans for the country are half-baked or ill-conceived. (She'd also be wise to lay off commenting on competitors' physical attributes.)"

Read the full endorsement from The Boston Globe's editorial board: http://bit.ly/2w3HC38

BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF THE PAPER'S ENDORSEMENT:

The Globe posted a short video of the process. Watch: http://bit.ly/38XvizQ

IN CONGRESS

Mama Nancy: I'll allow it:

This morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiAs families deal with coronavirus, new federal dollars should follow the student Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates Hypocrisy rules on both sides over replacing Justice Ginsburg MORE (D-Calif.) said she would be comfortable with Sanders as the Democratic presidential nominee. http://bit.ly/3caAq5L

Asked if she was comfortable with Sanders, she responded with one word: "Yes."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Because you can't not smile while watching this:

FIRST SNOW: A dad in North Carolina captured the sweetest moment, as his 14-month-old son marveled at snow for the first time! https://t.co/uC433VjUo1 pic.twitter.com/Z1Anc9D23U — ABC News (@ABC) February 25, 2020

Watch: http://bit.ly/3caaU0i

ON TAP

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

6:50 a.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpMelania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now Warning label added to Trump tweet over potential mail-in voting disinformation MORE get back to the White House.

11 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence meets with the president's Intelligence Advisory Board.

1 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence participates in the Senate GOP retreat.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. EST: Votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2VmsGYe

3:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at the presentation of the trophy for the First Annual President's Cup Cybersecurity Competition.

1:45 p.m. EST Thursday: The Senate holds a roll call vote. The Senate's full schedule: http://bit.ly/2T4jwhL

WHAT TO WATCH

1:30 p.m. EST: House Republican leaders hold a press conference. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2VqMAkP

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Pistachio Day.

And because you made it this far, here's a puppy at brunch: http://bit.ly/3c9qPMl