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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: Trump takes to Twitter to attack Cohen testimony | Accuses him of 'perjury on a scale not seen before' | Otto Warmbier's parents slam Kim after Trump remarks | Lawmakers angry over Trump comments on Warmbier | Pence at CPAC says Dems 'embracing' socialism | Sights and sounds from the conference | Inside Biden's campaign in waiting | Dem Inslee jumps into 2020 race

NEWS THIS MORNING

'THE PRESIDENT has no public events scheduled':

I.e. -- Twitter day!

This morning, President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE had a string of tweets going after his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who testified yesterday. http://bit.ly/2XxF7zh

He tweeted: "Michael Cohen's book manuscript shows that he committed perjury on a scale not seen before. He must have forgotten about his book when he testified. What does Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE's lawyer, Lanny Davis, say about this one. Is he being paid by Crooked Hillary. Using her lawyer?"

And discredited Cohen: "Congress must demand the transcript of Michael Cohen's new book, given to publishers a short time ago. Your heads will spin when you see the lies, misrepresentations and contradictions against his Thursday testimony. Like a different person! He is totally discredited!"

Read the full string of tweets: http://bit.ly/2XxF7zh

Yiiiikes, it's already March! Filing from CPAC, 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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HAPPENING TODAY

Pence among friends:

Vice President Pence just spoke at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md. Here are the highlights:

Pence's biggest applause line: "American will never be a socialist country." The crowd started chanting, "USA, USA, USA." http://bit.ly/2GYhCuj

On North Korea: Pence assured the crowd that "'after decades of failure' dealing with North Korea, that America will not forget the mistakes of the past and will stand firm 'until we achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea.'" http://bit.ly/2TmSYJr

Pence promised to build the wall: Here's the reaction in the crowd: http://bit.ly/2ErE7Un

Another big applause line: Pence vowed that the Trump administration will "never abolish ICE." http://bit.ly/2BYWShz

On religious freedom: "'Freedom of religion is under attack in our country,' Pence claims, saying 'media elites' and 'Hollywood liberals' now find it fashionable to mock religious beliefs. He cites the criticism of his wife for working at a school that bans gay students, teachers and parents." (Via The Toronto Star's Daniel Dale) http://bit.ly/2tMV46M

Livestream of CPAC: http://bit.ly/2GPVp1e

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS AT CPAC:

This sums up CPAC well: "Sebastian Gorka Sebastian Lukacs GorkaSunday shows preview: Trump, lawmakers weigh in on COVID-19, masks and school reopenings amid virus surge Trump taps Gorka for national security advisory board Sunday shows preview: Coronavirus poses questions about school safety; Trump commutes Roger Stone sentence MORE is a huge star at CPAC. He enters to that 'Best Day of My Life' song, then gets huge cheers for calling Michael Cohen a 'rat fink.'" (Via The Daily Beast's Will Sommer) http://bit.ly/2VtFfhb

Wow, check out this art: http://bit.ly/2UdorLd

You can buy a Space Force hat: "The Trump campaign's join[t] fundraising committee with the [Republican National Committee] is selling Space Force hats." Photo: http://bit.ly/2H9eyum

From the 'activism bootcamp': "Nothing scares a Leftist more than a conservative with an iPhone." Photo of the inspirational slide: http://bit.ly/2ElOQjn

Pence applauded his wife, Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Pence elbow bump at NYC Sept. 11 ceremony The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill Pentagon, Trump, Biden to mark 9/11 anniversary MORE: Photo: http://bit.ly/2ElXJt5

Diamond & Silk got huge applause: http://bit.ly/2EhkKNK

Also in the convention center: The NUVO Dance Convention. I'll be there if anyone needs me. ;) http://bit.ly/2Ue5zvN

2020 NEWS

Exclusive -- Biden has a team frozen at the starting line:

Via The Hill's Amie Parnes, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE has a team waiting and ready to help him if he decides to run for president. http://bit.ly/2tK9ftF

Movement: "In recent weeks, the former vice president's longtime advisers Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon have led a string of meetings with potential aides to fill out the campaign if Biden makes a decision to enter the race, sources tell The Hill."

Who would likely be Biden's campaign manager: "Greg Schultz, who has run Biden's PAC American Possibilities and served as his political director in the White House, is expected to be campaign manager, sources say."

Other people who would likely be involved: Kate Bedingfield, Tony Blinken, Sarah Bianchi and Stef Feldman.

Can everyone slide over and make some space?

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced he will run for president in 2020. https://nbcnews.to/2Hejzlg

His campaign platform: Tackling climate change is his top priority.

From his announcement video: "This crisis isn't just a chart or graph anymore. The impacts are being felt everywhere. We have an opportunity to transform our economy, run on 100 percent clean energy that will bring millions of good paying jobs to every community across America, and create a more just future for everyone." https://nbcnews.to/2Hejzlg

Watch his announcement video: http://bit.ly/2tSBR41

FOR CONTEXT: Here's a list of who is running in 2020 and who is still on the fence: https://nyti.ms/2IKvzxA

LATEST WITH THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION

Ah, the old 'get-your-son-in-law-a-security-clearance-and-overrule-intel' move:

Via The New York Times's Maggie Haberman, Michael S. Schmidt, Adam Goldman and Annie Karni, "President Trump ordered his chief of staff to grant his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner Jared Corey KushnerAbraham Accords: New hope for peace in Middle East Tenants in Kushner building file lawsuit alleging dangerous living conditions Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing MORE, a top-secret security clearance last year, overruling concerns flagged by intelligence officials and the White House's top lawyer, four people briefed on the matter said." https://nyti.ms/2IJwe2c

How administration officials felt about that: "Mr. Trump's decision in May so troubled senior administration officials that at least one, the White House chief of staff at the time, John F. Kelly, wrote a contemporaneous internal memo about how he had been 'ordered' to give Mr. Kushner the top-secret clearance."

Dems find fresh meat:

"The spotlight is shining brightly on the Trump Organization's chief financial officer following explosive testimony this week from Michael Cohen, who repeatedly pointed to Allen Weisselberg as someone who could tell Congress all it wants to know about the president's business." How so: http://bit.ly/2T7JD9c

IN CONGRESS

Republicans would like to have a word with the president:

Republican senators are fuming over President Trump's public statement that he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not involved in American student Otto Warmbier's death.

From Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-Maine): "I personally find that statement extremely hard to believe."

From Sen. Rob Portman Robert (Rob) Jones PortmanMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Romney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery MORE (R-Ohio), who represents Warmbier's home state: "I want to make clear that we can never forget about Otto. His treatment at the hands of his captors was unforgivable and it tells us a lot about the nature of the regime. ... We can't be naive about what they did to Otto, about the brutal nature of the regime that would do this to an American citizen." Keep in mind: Portman is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. http://bit.ly/2Vw0nne

This morning -- Otto Warmbier's parents react:

Fred and Cindy Warmbier released a statement: "We have been respectful during this summit process. Now we must speak out. Kim and his evil regime are responsible for the death of our son Otto. Kim and his evil regime are responsible for unimaginable cruelty and inhumanity. No excuses or lavish praise can change that." http://bit.ly/2TcSrL3

IN OTHER NEWS

Hug it out, hug it out:

Via The Hill's Cristina Marcos, Reps. Mark Meadows Mark Randall MeadowsHouse moves toward spending vote after bipartisan talks House Democrats mull delay on spending bill vote Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE (R-N.C.) and Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE (D-Mich.) hugged on the House floor after getting into an argument about racism during Michael Cohen's testimony. http://bit.ly/2Ts6jju

How this started: "Tlaib criticized Meadows for bringing an African-American Trump administration official to the hearing to refute allegations the president is racist."

How they made up: They cleared the air and hugged.

NOTABLE TWEETS

This is the saddest "steak" I've ever see:

Will the food of the future be printed? This company is 3D printing vegan steaks pic.twitter.com/KrCrdPKvgx — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 1, 2019

Watch: http://bit.ly/2TcSrL3

Did they consider putting this in The Washington Post? You know... for no reason...:

I wonder if Jeff Bezos gets home delivery... pic.twitter.com/J7vgCu0dT0 — J. David Goodman (@jdavidgoodman) March 1, 2019

A few dozen New York local leaders published an open letter to Amazon's Jeff Bezos in The New York Times, asking him to reconsider building an Amazon headquarters in New York. Details: https://cnb.cx/2VsOJJF

Read the letter: http://bit.ly/2T9APiP

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out for the weekend.

President Trump has no public events on his schedule.

Today–Saturday: The annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md. Schedule: http://bit.ly/2m3SCHk

Starting today: Women's History Month. Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2H8336A

10 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence spoke at CPAC.

March 6: President Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen returns to Capitol Hill to finish his testimony. http://bit.ly/2TaEbSW

March 6: The Hill is hosting an event, "Overcoming Obstacles: Patient Access to Innovation." Featured speakers: FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. Moderated by: The Hill's Bob Cusack. Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2tNeVDf

March 7: The Hill is hosting an event, "History Makers: Women & the 116th Congress." Featured speakers: Reps. Veronica Escobar Veronica EscobarHispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Races heat up for House leadership posts Ahead of a coronavirus vaccine, Mexico's drug pricing to have far-reaching impacts on Americans MORE (D-Texas), Virginia Foxx Virginia Ann FoxxHouse passes bill to allow private lawsuits against public schools for discriminatory practices Pelosi huddles with chairmen on surprise billing but deal elusive House fails to override Trump veto of bill blocking DeVos student loan rule MORE (R-N.C.), Deb Haaland Debra HaalandHispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Rep. Robin Kelly enters race for Democratic caucus vice chair OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium MORE (D-N.M.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Carol Miller Carol Devine MillerPartial disengagement based on democratic characteristics: A new era of US-China economic relations The Hill's Coronavirus Report: CDC predicts US death toll could reach 145,000 by July 11; Premier President Michael Alkire says more resiliency needed in health supply chain Shelley Moore Capito wins Senate primary MORE (R-W.Va.), Mikie Sherrill Rebecca (Mikie) Michelle SherrillHillicon 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 House passes legislation to boost election security research Lawmakers call for bipartisan push to support scientific research MORE (D-N.J.) and Abigail Spanberger Abigail Davis SpanbergerTrump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report Virginians wait up to four hours to cast early voting ballots The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-Va.) and Del. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico).

Moderated by: The Hill's Bob Cusack and Cate Martel. Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2NEZJkI

WHAT TO WATCH

Today: CPAC 2019. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2GPVp1e

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day.

Just in case a Nats fanatic hasn't told you yet (though I'm sure they have):

Former Washington Nationals outfielder and free agent Bryce Harper has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. The contract: 13 years, $330 million. https://wapo.st/2T9WuaQ

For context: "Bryce Harper will make $69,000 every day for the next 13 years from this contract alone." http://bit.ly/2VvkjGJ