Ben Smith
Contact this reporter at ben@buzzfeed.com
Texting With Michael Bennet: Senators Running For President Have To Carry Out Their Impeachment Duties
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Sen. Michael Bennet discussed Twitter activism and said that senators running for president will be able to campaign and sit in on the impeachment trial. They "need to do both."
Mike Bloomberg Has "Made A Decision To Serve His Country," A Former Bush Treasury Secretary Said In China
"My good friend Mike Bloomberg asked my good friend Henry Kissinger and me to represent him here today because ... he's made a decision to serve his country," Hank Paulson said in Beijing.
What’s Really Happening At The New York Times
A campaign for executive editor: “People are trying to impress the boss.”
Mike Bloomberg Won't Attend His Company's China Summit As His Possible Campaign Gets Serious
A key Bloomberg Media event will go on without the mayor, as the campaign gets serious.
Texting With Jim Himes: There Was "A Lot Of Tension Behind The Dais" During The Impeachment Hearing
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Rep. Jim Himes talked about what it was like at Wednesday's impeachment hearing and what the proceedings have in common with beekeeping.
Texting With Bill Weld: “100% Democratic Rule” If Senate Republicans Listen To Trump
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Bill Weld, who is challenging Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, says Republicans are abandoning their duty to the Constitution and explains his weird Reese's Pieces habit.
Texting With Eric Swalwell: Trump Should Get A Fair Trial, "Even When There Is A Confession"
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Rep. Eric Swalwell — a California lawmaker who sits on the intelligence committee and one-time presidential candidate — texted with us about the impeachment investigation.
Tom Steyer Explained What That Symbol He Draws On His Hand Means
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, billionaire Tom Steyer texted about impeachment, his time at the debate, and the symbol he draws on his hand.
Texts With Howard Dean: Elizabeth Warren Needs To "Hang Tough" And "Get Used To" The New Pressure
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, former governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean has advice for Elizabeth Warren.
Texting With Mark Sanford: Impeachment Can't Become A "Personality Contest"
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, former South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford — one of Trump's Republican challengers — explains why he thinks a House censure of Trump would be better than impeachment.
Beto O'Rourke Called Pete Buttigieg's Comments On Guns "Offensive" To Victims Of Gun Violence
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, Beto O'Rourke texts that Buttigieg operates with "poll-driven politics that has prevented progress on this issue in the past." He also has strong views on tacos.
Texts With Mayor Pete: He's "Doing Well With The Mother-In-Law Vote"
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg texted with us about the media and the generational divide among voters.
Bill De Blasio On When It’s Time To “Get The Hell Out Of The Way”
New York’s mayor dropped out of the presidential campaign Friday. We texted with him about his campaign, the climate strike, and what’s next for the city.
Texts With Jay Inslee: The Climate Candidate Likes Elizabeth Warren's Plan
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, former presidential candidate Jay Inslee talks about the key differences between the candidates' climate plans — and about being objectified on Twitter.
Americans Would Pay — A Little — To Save The Planet, A Poll Shows
Data for Progress, a progressive think tank, commissioned neutral polling from YouGov that found Americans are willing to pay to stop carbon emissions, as long as it’s not too expensive.
The Real Democratic Primary Starts Now. And It’s All About Elizabeth Warren.
“If I could be any candidate right now, I would want to be her.”
Cory Booker Texted Us From The New Jersey Turnpike
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, Sen. Cory Booker talks about building consensus and why he's #TeamChrissy.
DMs With Andrew Yang: Plans, Memes, And Doomers
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, Democratic candidate Andrew Yang talks about memes and what he thinks of being called a "doomer."
Andrew Yang Called For Increased Regulation Of Amazon
In response to a BuzzFeed News investigation about chaos and accidents in the retailer’s system of package delivery, Yang called for Amazon-specific rules.
A Top White House Reporter Is Taking Over The Washington Free Beacon
Eliana Johnson, of Politico now and formerly National Review, will lead the neoconservative outlet.