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--> 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: Democrats set for pivotal debate tonight | New frontrunner Sanders certain to face attacks | Biden, Bloomberg look to regain footing | Dem rivals have seven days to stop Sanders | CDC official says coronavirus inevitable in US | Trump faces criticism over funding request for virus | How Twitter is falling short on verifying primary candidates | Trump, first lady returning from India | Track team buys plane ticket to order from airport Chick-fil-A | National Pancake Day

HAPPENING TONIGHT

Be sure to have your popcorn ready:

Less than a week after the last raucous debate, seven presidential candidates are taking the stage tonight in Charleston, S.C., ahead of the state's presidential primary and Super Tuesday.

Who is debating tonight: Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Bogeymen 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 MORE, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill EPA delivers win for ethanol industry angered by waivers to refiners It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (D-Minn.), 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.), billionaire 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 Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenBiden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon MORE (D-Mass.).

How to watch: On CBS News and CBSN. Livestream: https://cbsn.ws/2TdGodx

What time: 8 p.m. EST

HOW BLOOMBERG IS PREPARING -- ALL I'M PICTURING IS A MOCK DEBATE STAGE WITH MICKEY MOUSE, DONALD DUCK AND ELSA:

Bloomberg has been at the Four Seasons hotel in Walt Disney World with aides to prepare for tonight's debate. (Via Politico's Sally Goldenberg) https://politi.co/39aL2iU

SEVEN THINGS TO WATCH TONIGHT:

Via CNN's Dan Merica, Gregory Krieg and Eric Bradner:

1. Is Bernie Sanders ready for what's coming his way?

2. Can Mike Bloomberg find his footing?

3. Biden's priority: Beat Sanders and Bloomberg

4. Can Warren dominate the debate stage... again?

5. Will Buttigieg keep the focus on Sanders?

6. Can Klobuchar break through the crowded middle?

7. It's Steyer's Super Bowl

Context and details for each: https://cnn.it/2HWjUsg

INTERESTING GRAPHIC:

Here are the dynamics to watch tonight between each of the candidates, via The New York Times's Shane Goldmacher and Adriana Ramic: https://nyti.ms/2HQIdro

It's Tuesday -- today is Mardi Gras! 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

Accurate:

This Tuesday: Fat

Next Tuesday: Super — Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) February 25, 2020

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

You have seven days. Act wisely, young grasshoppers:

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage, Democratic rival candidates have exactly one week to stop Sanders from becoming from party's presidential nominee. http://bit.ly/32uqNdB

After Saturday's win in Nevada: "His current trajectory is set to carry him to at least a top-two finish in South Carolina's primary Saturday. From there, he looks likely to roll through Super Tuesday on March 3, harvesting huge numbers of delegates from California and other large states."

I.e. -- by next Tuesday: "It is eminently plausible that, by the end of that night, Sanders will have jumped out to a delegate lead that none of his rivals can reel in -- especially given the likelihood that more than a half-dozen other major candidates remain in the race."

PARTICULARLY YOU, JOE:

Via The Hill's Amie Parnes, Biden faces a do-or-die in South Carolina to stand a chance at becoming Bernie Sanders's rival. http://bit.ly/39XGBIm

REPUBLICANS CAST BERNIE AS THE BOOGEYMAN:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, "GOP lawmakers and strategists believe Sanders, who identifies as a democratic socialist, is not only beatable in November but could have a disastrous down-ballot impact for Democrats in key congressional races." http://bit.ly/32xL5TK

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Coronavirus is fine. Totally fine. Great, even.:

Via The Hill's Peter Sullivan, "President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE faces a growing challenge from the coronavirus as it spreads to more countries around the world." http://bit.ly/2uu58pv

It may be reaching a new level: "Some experts said that as outbreaks pop up on different continents, the virus is on the verge of becoming a global pandemic."

For example: The World Health Organization called the increase of cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea "deeply concerning."

Trump's reaction so far: "The president has sought to downplay the virus's effects on the U.S. But given his history of questioning the actions of public health officials during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, it's possible his response could soon change in tone ... There is already one sign that the administration is stepping up its response: It is submitting a request to Congress for emergency funding to fight the virus, something Democrats first called for weeks ago."

Funding request: The Trump administration on Monday night did request $2.5 billion to fight the virus, including $1 billion for vaccine development and funding for supplies like masks. But Democrats blasted the request saying was too low.

NEW TIDBIT ON CORONAVIRUS IN THE UNITED STATES:

Nancy Messonnier, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the spread of coronavirus in the country appears to be inevitable. tk link

She told reporters: "It’s not a question of if this will happen but when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses. Disruption to everyday life might be severe." http://bit.ly/3c7R9qs

A GOP CHAIRMAN ALSO THINKS TRUMP'S FUNDING REQUEST IS LOW:

Sen. Richard Shelby Richard Craig ShelbySenate GOP eyes early exit Dems discussing government funding bill into February GOP short of votes on Trump's controversial Fed pick MORE (R-Ala.), the GOP chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he is concerned the Trump administration is "lowballing" its request for emergency coronavirus funding. http://bit.ly/2w6ILXq

Shelby told HHS Secretary Alex Azar this morning: "It seems to me at the outset that this request for the money, the supplemental, is lowballing it, possibly, and you can't afford to do that."

INTERESTING READ

All about that blue checkmark:

Via The Hill's Emily Birnbaum and Chris Mills Rodrigo, Twitter has fallen short of verifying candidates' accounts after pledging to proactively do so. http://bit.ly/39W8UqK

The numbers: "In the 130 House, Senate and gubernatorial primaries scheduled for March 3 in Alabama, Arkansas, California, North Carolina and Texas, The Hill found 89 candidates on official ballots with Twitter accounts that are not verified."

Why it matters so much: "Twitter verification can be a vital asset to upstart political candidates seeking to oust established politicians, many of whom come into the race with significant social media followings and treasure troves of funding. Those who are verified receive a blue checkmark on their profiles and receive better visibility on Twitter, a powerful network with 330 million users."

IN OTHER NEWS

You may need a new ID to fly starting in October:

Via CNN's Katia Hetter, "Some two-thirds of US state driver's licenses are not compliant with a post-9/11 security law set to go into effect on October 1. Those who are not compliant will not be able to fly if they don't have other forms of 'REAL ID-compliant' identification." https://cnn.it/384lCCA

NOTABLE TWEETS

If you zoom in, you can see Gianna Bryant's wallpaper with her dad:

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is en route to Germany from India. Vice President Pence is in Michigan today.

2:40 a.m. EST: President Trump delivered a joint press statement with the prime minister of India.

9:15 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 participated in a State Banquet Welcome Ceremony in New Delhi, India.

9:50 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence left for Lansing, Mich.

11:30 a.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump left New Delhi and headed for Germany.

12:30 – 2:15 p.m. EST: Senators meet for weekly caucus luncheons.

12:45 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence delivers remarks at the Michigan Farm Bureau Lansing Legislative Seminar.

2 p.m. EST: The House meets. Votes are postponed until tomorrow. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2w3tw1w

3:30 p.m. EST: Five roll call votes in the Senate. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/32pOJib

5 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence campaigns in Troy, Mich.

8:20 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Pancake Day!

Amazing -- I respect the lengths people will go to get Chick-fil-A:

A college track team collectively bought a one-way plane ticket to be able to order from the local airport's Chick-fil-A.

Hahaha: "The cheapest flight [team captain Vincent Putrino] found was a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale for $98, so the 18 team members pitched in $5.50 apiece and Putrino bought the ticket at the airport counter, then passed through security."

How the numbers worked out: "At the airport Chick-fil-A he filled his teammate's orders, which amounted to 15 chicken sandwiches, 15 large fries, 13 orders of chicken nuggets, a bag of cookies, and a lemonade. He drove the food back to campus and the team enjoyed its hard-earned feast. The total bill? $227.28 plus the price of the plane ticket that made it possible -- all of which came out to about $18 for each team member."

And because you made it this far, here's a puppy delivery: http://bit.ly/3c9TwJ1