Jun 19, 2017

Why John Doerr is at the White House today

Dan Primack

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

John Doerr, a noted venture capitalist and longtime supporter of Democratic candidates and causes, surprised many of his peers by agreeing to attend today's White House meeting about modernizing government technology. Here is an official statement from his firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers:

John has a long history of working with Washington on bi-partisan solutions to complex problems for the benefit of the country. He is committed to ensuring that technological advances and expertise can be used to modernize government and improve the lives of all Americans.

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The novel coronavirus has spread from China to infect people in more than 40 countries and territories around the world, killing over 2,700 people.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders wanted to keep his momentum after winning contests in New Hampshire and Nevada, while former Vice President Joe Biden hoped to keep his own campaign alive. The other five candidates were just trying to hang on.

What's happening: Seven contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination were in Charleston, South Carolina, for the tenth debate, just days before the South Carolina primary and a week before Super Tuesday. They spoke, sometimes over each other, about health care, Russian interference in the election, foreign policy the economy, gun control, marijuana, education, and race.

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4 takeaways from the South Carolina debate

Former Vice President Joe Biden, right, makes a point during Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate, while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders listens. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

The 10th Democratic debate was billed as the most consequential of the primary thus far, but Tuesday night's high-stakes affair was at times awkward and unfocused as moderators struggled to rein in candidates desperate to make one last splash before Saturday's primary in South Carolina and Super Tuesday.

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