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"America Is Winning": Hegseth Warns Iran of "Death and Destruction" as Torpedo Sinks Iranian Ship
01:05:04
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- [00:00]
Kevin Walling
Foreign.
- [00:05]
Mark
What a country. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Morning Meeting. This is the only nation in the history of the world good enough, kind enough, honest enough to have a program called the Morning Meeting. Thank you for being here. Kevin Walling's here, Larry o' Connor's here. Take you through the day, run through the daybook and, and then take your questions and comments. What a, what a country where you can come on and ask Kevin and Larry a question. Never in the history of humanity have there been such an opportunity. Please avail yourself of it. If you never raised your hand on this program before, today would be an excellent day to do it. Just raise them up high. We'll call on you before too long. Before that, though, we're going to run through the daybook. As I said, lots going on in Washington and around the world. And of course, all of it could be literally and figuratively blown away by more military action in the region, as I like to call it. Pentagon briefing ended just a few minutes ago. We'll tell you about that. Lots going on on Capitol Hill. The president has a busy schedule and Caroline Levitt is briefing. Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen. Are you war weary? Are you war torn?
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Larry O'Connor
Not at all.
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Kevin Walling
No. Not yet. Not yet. Five days in.
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Mark
Five days in seems longer, but as the secretary of War said today it's five days in.
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Kevin Walling
This is the first time we're hearing from Caroline, I think, since it started, right, Mark? Yeah.
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Mark
Because she didn't brief Monday.
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Kevin Walling
Yeah. We haven't had a briefing yet. Yeah.
- [01:24]
Mark
Yeah. There'll be a lot of questions about the war, but not only. There'll be other questions. Anyway, raise your hand if you want in the conversation. We'll get to you in just a minute. But first, here's a word from a sponsor. Ethos.com, go there right now. Get a free quote for life insurance. If you don't have life insurance, you're the primary breadwinner in your household. What a risk you're taking, an unnecessary risk, a risk that could be fixed in a matter of as little as 10 minutes today by going to ethos.com/ ethos is an online platform that makes getting life insurance fast and easy. Just fill out an online questionnaire. There's no medical exam, just a few health questions and other questions. Get a quote in as little as 10 minutes for up to $3 million in life insurance. This is something people put off. I put it off three years. Not anymore. Get life insurance for your family. Go to ethos.com. talk about the ability to have peace of mind. Have peace of mind and make sure you've got everything in order in case something horrible and unexpected happens to you. Go to ethos.commark to get life insurance through Ethos. Provide financial security, protect your family in as little as 10 minutes. Ethos.com mark for a free quote. LifeLock how can I help? The IRS said I filed my return but I haven't. One in four tax paying Americans is paying paid the price of identity fraud. What do I do? My refund though. I'm freaking out. Don't worry, I can fix this. LifeLock fixes identity theft guaranteed and gets
- [02:53]
Matt Ebert
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Democratic Woman from Massachusetts
I'm so relieved.
- [02:56]
Kevin Walling
No problem.
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Mark
I'll be with you every step of the way. One in four was a fraud paying American. Not anymore. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast terms apply all right. Ladies and gentlemen, the President United States. The pool comes in at 9 o' clock. this hour. Here's who's in the pool. This is number one, please. CBS is in the pool. The Guardian is in the pool. The Wall Street Journal town hall and Fox Business. What an expansion of the, of the Murdoch empire that they can be in the pool with either Fox News or Fox Business. That's a little, a little sneaky but they do it. Here's the President's schedule.
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Larry O'Connor
Mark. Mark, who's the editor of Town Hall?
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Mark
The editor of Town hall is a guy named o'. Connor.
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Kevin Walling
O' Connor with the best lighting according to the chat. With the best lighting ever.
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Mark
Yeah.
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Kevin Walling
Of any guest.
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Mark
Very excited, you know, whenever. You know what, you know what, what Mr. Burns says whenever I ask you him about Larry O'. Connor. What is he says, he says O'. Connor. It doesn't ring a bell every time. Someday he'll remember. Someday he'll remember you. Eight o'.
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Kevin Walling
Clock.
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Mark
The President was up early and working early, participating in something called executive time. 01:30 he does a phone interview. I've never. I don't know what that's about. It's not with me. Larry. Is it with Town hall, the phone?
- [04:13]
Larry O'Connor
Not today it's not.
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Mark
All right. Process of elimination. It's neither of us. And then a roundtable on this ratepayer protection pledge that's at 3 o' clock and that's open to the press pool. This is about thing touted in the state of the Union having the AI companies pay to build all these electric power plants or pay for the power to keep it from affecting regular people. But Caroline Levitt, her First briefing since the war began at one o'. Clock. That'll be that'll be widely covered. Fox News will take Mark.
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Kevin Walling
Mark, how many MARK and Larry, how many questions is Caroline going to get about the ratepayer protection pledge and these new AI power centers?
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Mark
Good question. Maybe she get any. Maybe Bloomberg might ask. Bloomberg might ask her about it. And of course this goes to the question of the president's going to not be talking much about affordability in a way that breaks through, but he's going to try today. KEVIN will CNN and Ms. Now take the briefing live, yes or no.
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Kevin Walling
Yes, 100%. Larry Screen will all have her Larry
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Mark
Quad split all this. Okay. Don't know what the VP is doing today. Scott Besson was on Squawk box a long interview with the folks there at 7 o'. Clock. I talked a lot about the war. Pete Hegseth and General Kane did their briefing. We'll show you a little bit of that. Secretary Noem back on the Hill today after a pretty rough day in front of the Senate yesterday. She's in front of House Judiciary today. Lots going on on the Hill at this hour. The governor of Minnesota, the attorney general of Minnesota are testifying on the alleged misuse of government funds in the state. Don't really need to say alleged since people have been convicted and pled guilty. Ways and Means is hearing from the irs. CEO Mike Johnson and his team are having a press conference at 10 o'. Clock. The Democratic leaders are having a House leaders press conference at 10:45 that at 1:30 the house is voting to advance the DHS funding bill. The Senate's dealing with their housing affordability legislation at 11. And the first vote on the war powers is on the Senate side. The Senate's voting on Iran war power resolution. It's expected to fail. Supreme Court decisions come down, get released at 10. Still waiting on the Voting Rights act case. That could come today, we don't know. Governor Shapiro, 11:30 is in central Pennsylvania making an economic development announcement. All right, let's show you from the briefing this morning. Pete Hegseth and General Kane they briefed for I don't know how long it lasted, 45 minutes or so. They both made presentations, they took a few questions. They announced that for the first time since World War II a submarine had brought down a enemy craft with a, with an underwater missile. And they again there weren't a ton of news in it. They just basically said everything's going great. Iran is being has been degraded, they'll be degraded more. This thing could end quickly. It could take a long time. As soon as the mission is fulfilled, one sound bite from the secretary of War will tell you pretty much everything you need to know. This is Pete Hegseth. 124, please.
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Wickham
I stand before you today with one
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Mark
unmistakable message about Operation Epic Fury. America is winning decisively, devastatingly, and without mercy. Very compelling guy. Very convincing guy. That view is echoed on the morning shows by many Republican members of Congress. It's a view held by tens of millions of Americans. There is, however, ladies and gentlemen, an alternative point of view. We have found someone speaking for tens of millions of others who has a very different view from Pete Heg says bullish sensibility about how things are going. Ladies and gentlemen, speaking on behalf of the opposing view, 108, please.
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Democratic Woman from Massachusetts
I just left a classified briefing on Iran, and here's what I can say. It is so much worse than you thought. You are right to be worried. Trump administration has no plan in Iran. This illegal war is based on lies and it was launched without any imminent threat to our nation. Donald Trump still hasn't given a single clear reason for this war, and he seems to have no plan for how to end it either. Like a lot of you, I am really angry. I am angry at what Donald Trump is doing, and I feel grief for those already killed in this unnecessary conflict. And I will keep doing everything I can to fight to end this war.
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Mark
Kevin, who's closer to the truth, the Secretary of war or the gentle lady from Massachusetts?
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Kevin Walling
Listen, I think time will tell and you're seeing that message echoed by a few other Democrats, Brian Schatz, who's going to make a leadership bid coming out of that classified briefing. I think they're setting the stage for if this goes poorly and we're stuck in this, you know, another forever war here. I hope that's certainly not the case. I'm very supportive of what the president did here in terms of, you know, targeting the regime, taking out the ayatollah. You know, there's indications that they've already figured out who's going to take over next in Iran. And that's a hardliner, which is not good for us. But again, I think it's too early to tell five days in in terms of what the messaging is going to be. Of course, also too, I will say Hegseth has an audience really of one, and that's the president. And I think, you know, as long as he's still toeing that line effectively, I think the president is going to be pleased with Pete and Secretary Hegseth and his. And his daily, near daily press conferences with the chairman.
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Larry O'Connor
Kevin, is it an illegal war? No. Then why do they know? I mean, it's when, when. When Elizabeth Warren says that, why should we believe anything else that she says in that statement? And every Democrat who keeps repeating that lie that this is an illegal war. From that point forward, we should just look at these statements as the propaganda lies that they are that are meant to undermine our military effort.
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Kevin Walling
Breaking news. Democrats use hyperbole in their statements about what's going on.
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Larry O'Connor
Yeah, but when you're a senator and you call this an illegal war, that goes beyond hyperbole. Hyperbole. I think those are very specific words, Larry.
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Mark
When you, when you, when you look. Point taken. When you listen to Secretary Hegseth and General Kane, do they say anything. Did they say anything that makes you skeptical? Do you think it's. It's possible that they're exaggerating the degree to which the mission is going extremely well?
- [10:40]
Larry O'Connor
I will say this. Well, first of all, I don't see any indication that the military mission is not going extremely well. That said, said, I will concede. I. In my opinion, Secretary Hegseth is often praised for being very polished. In my opinion, he's too polished. Sometimes it just comes across a little scripted. It comes across a little presentational when I would just like, you know, the facts without the flourish.
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Mark
Right. Okay. Kevin, what's the biggest unanswered question you have about where the mission stands both militarily and geopolitically? What's your biggest unanswered question?
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Kevin Walling
Biggest unanswered question is that the. The degree to which right now we've been in touch and the administration has been in touch with opposition forces. There's reporting that, you know, that they're in talks, obviously, with the Kurds in Iraq, and the degree to which the planning has taken place for what happens next? Right. This is, quote, unquote, the easy part, and it's not easy whatsoever. That's been incredibly successful so far. But what happens next? And are we doing what we need to do to take out the hardliners so that they don't take back over?
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Mark
Yeah. So on that front, there's at least three things going on. One is the New York Times reports that there have been, and this came up earlier, that there have been attempts to have negotiations and outreach in both directions for some Iranians who would like to negotiate into this. Two is reports that there's discussions with the Israelis and the Turks about arming here's the New York Times story. Iran's secret outreach highlights Trump's challenge in public. Iran surviving leaders have defiantly refused to negotiate with President Trump to end the American Israeli assault. But a day after the attacks began, operatives from Iran's Ministry of Intelligence reached out indirectly to the CIA. Again, that's, that's that, you know, in this pace at which this is moving, something that occurred on Sunday, which is when this occurred, and the president referenced it publicly. I don't know if that's still operative, but it does show that there's at least some people there, if they're still alive, who thought saw the second is arming the Kurds, as Kevin referenced, and the prospect that there could be. People say you can't have regime change through the ground without ground where the ground could be provided by the Kurds. The Kurds have long been one of the fiercest fighting forces on the planet, and perhaps, and perhaps now's their time after all this. And then third, put me in coach. Yeah, exactly. And then third, in terms of ending it, there's been, there's been talk of some of the countries in the region, including Turkey, including the Gulf states, including others, maybe, who, who would like to see a negotiated settlement. And we'll put that on the table again. So we shall see. At the same time, Israel keeps making it clear that they'll kill anybody who takes power. And there's, you know, there's words again reported by the New York Times, first and foremost, that the ayatollah son may take over, but that he's got some concern that it's not the safest job in the planet right now to do this. Larry.
- [13:37]
Kevin Walling
But also in line with his dad in terms of being even more of a hardliner, too, which would be problematic. This isn't the Maduro situation that we're seeing in Venezuela where they're willing to deal. Right.
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Mark
So here's the New York Times headline. The Shah's son emerges as leading candidate to be his successor. I love the fact that they're handicapping it like, like, where's the over under over under.
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Larry O'Connor
Where's the pie market Jasmine Crockett fit into that equation? Is it, could we go to Polymarket?
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Mark
She, she, she just, she just conceded the race, by the way. Oh, she did. She did moments ago. We'll get to that. We'll get to that race in a second. All right, let's talk about, let's talk about the, the administration. Lots of criticism from the media, from the Democrats, some Republicans, that the messaging is not clear. I said from the second day or really the first day, seems to me it's pretty clear, the Rubio thing on Israel notwithstanding, and that was a pretty big exception. Seems to me it's pretty clear. Larry, is this criticism that they've not been clear about why, why now, what the end goals are, is that a valid criticism to you or not?
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Larry O'Connor
I don't and I honestly, and I'm being completely, I'm trying to be as genuine as possible. I don't understand it. First of all, there are two sets of questions here. The first is why did we engage in a military strike against Iran? And I think that the answer to that question is is multifold. So when people say the Trump administration first, this was the reason then, that was the reason. No, all of the above. There are a lot of reasons for this military strike and we've talked about the mad nauseum. The second question is why that day, why now? And I think that there's legitimacy to the answer. The reason why we, you know, decided that day had to do with Israeli intelligence. They were going to go ahead with the strike. We wanted to make sure that we were in place. But suggests that there wasn't going to be a strike after we moved two carrier groups into the region. How, how many weekends, how many Fridays, Mark, did you say what will you be watching this weekend? And we all said the same thing. Iran. We're all going to be watching Iran.
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Mark
Yeah.
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Kevin Walling
Larry. Larry, can I ask you a quick question, though? So there's new reporting, too, that indications where the the admin wanted to do this later in March, maybe early April, to get the public more on board with with these strikes and the importance of it. Do you think that element was rushed? Was it a missed opportunity somewhat in the State of the Union, really driving home the point and the case to be made on this front.
- [15:57]
Larry O'Connor
I think it's a fair question to ask. However, if the intelligence and it was clearly good intelligence told them that all, you know, 40 of the top leaders, including the Ayatollah, were going to be,
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Kevin Walling
you got to take that opportunity.
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Larry O'Connor
You got to take it. And there's also reporting, I think Mark Caputo is reporting at Axios that they talked about it the day before the State of the Union had that intelligence and Trump purposely downplayed Iran in the State of the Union unless they give a heads up.
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Kevin Walling
So one of the other head fake.
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Mark
Well, one of the other things that in the briefing that they said, although it had been reported before, is that the person who was the Iranian, who was the leader of the plot to kill President Trump, has now been killed by either the Israelis or the Americans. And that's another talking point they have in terms of justifying the mission. And again, I just say, if, if someone had tried to kill Barack Obama, how would this be covered if that person had been killed by the United States? Right. Not as extraordinary vengeance for an attempt to kill the life of a president. The economy undercovered, as far as I'm concerned, a lot of focus on oil prices. And the administration yesterday took some steps. Some people are skeptical of them, but they took some steps to try to deal with the supply issue of the Iranians closing off the streets. But there could be all sorts of impacts on the economy. The market, so far as we've seen with these Trump shocks, markets, you know, pricing it in, it's, the market's not, you know, collapsing. Oil prices are up, gas prices are up, but not crazy. But obviously this fights the affordability agenda. Kevin, is this something that you think we could see soon in a way that would really impact the president's willingness to go forward or any economic impacts are going to be down the road, time of which the conflict will likely be over?
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Kevin Walling
Yeah, it's a great question. You know, I still have memories of the ticker on Fox News when I was on every day with the price of gasoline under Joe Biden and that being a really effective line of attack. You're seeing the president kind of out there calling to our better collective spirit in terms of we might have to pay a price in the short term for this, and we'll see the willingness of Americans to do that, especially if they have questions about the why we're doing this in the first place.
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Mark
Larry, it seems like at a minimum, the president's not going to be able to talk effectively about affordability. Some Republicans are worried also, though, that this could really have a material impact on the economy, which has been a puzzle up until now about whether it's strong or not.
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Larry O'Connor
Yeah, I agree. And listen, it's the Republicans concern about it right now, I think if from a political lens, obviously has to be sort of tempered with the fact that we're still far out from November. But I understand them being worried. The fact is, though, I think it's asking a lot for everyone to step aside and not pay attention to, you know, rockets and missiles and destruction and bombs and say, hold on, everyone, because it's affordability day. I mean, it's just, it's, it's, I think it's, it's naive to think that
- [19:03]
Kevin Walling
they're going to try that at 3 o' clock today.
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Larry O'Connor
They're going to try.
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Mark
Doesn't it, doesn't it, I don't say prove, but doesn't it suggest that President Trump is not doing the accusations the contrary, he's not conducting this operation for politics because the politics of it, unless, you know, in the short term and maybe forever, are not good for him. Right, I agree.
- [19:24]
Larry O'Connor
I think I'm naive enough to believe that the President actually acted in the best interests of our country, our national security, and frankly, he did a huge favor to all of his successors over the next couple of decades. If in fact this ends up being the successful mission we think it's is.
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Mark
Yes, agreed.
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Larry O'Connor
But you're right, this was not a political move. The political move was not to give a thumbs up on the strike.
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Mark
Yeah. Either of you. What, what would you see as a potential breakpoint between Bibi and Trump? What, what's the first thing that you think could, could cause tension between them? Tactics, strategy, ending the war. Where do, where do you see that coming first?
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Larry O'Connor
You're asking me, either of you.
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Mark
It's a, it's a jump ball, A jump ball question. I'll tell you mine since, since you both seem to have been stumped. I think, I think Trump's going to want to end the war before bb.
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Kevin Walling
I think that's, yeah. It could be questions on timeline.
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Larry O'Connor
Yeah, yeah, I think, and there's, there's also a notion that Trump did this to get them back to the negotiating table. And I don't, I don't think the BB or the government in Israel.
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Mark
Yeah.
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Larry O'Connor
Will want to accept any government going forward in Iran that has that bureaucratic position. And that's, Trump hasn't said that yet.
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Mark
Yeah.
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Larry O'Connor
And Trump, I would like Trump to say no more supreme leaders, no more theocracy. That whole thing is gone.
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Mark
One of the main questions, he would
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Kevin Walling
not be happy with the number two in charge of Venezuela right now.
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Mark
Right. Exactly. If that's the case, one of the questions that the secretary did not answer at the briefing, he, you know, he punted on it. There were many, and most of them, you know, other secretaries would have too. They were about operational details or intelligence. Was, was about arming the Kurds. And, and my question is, and, and, and this is a complicated geopolitical question. Who would be more likely to, to, to favor a plan of arming the Kurds to, to be a ground force, to do whatever. I don't know what that peacekeep or Regime change in Iran. Would the, would the Israel be into that? Would, would, would the United States. Who would, who would be more into that? Would they be equally into it?
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Larry O'Connor
I think they would be equally into it. I don't think the Kurds have been hostile to the state of Israel.
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Mark
That's my question. I don't know. I don't know the answer to that.
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Larry O'Connor
I don't have. But I do.
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Kevin Walling
I mean they've just been targeted to hell in the past.
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Larry O'Connor
You know, I mean the people who are in the upper reaches at the Pentagon right now who have a history of the engaging in the Iraq war, have a fondness for the Kurdish people and the Kurdish military, that if you ever sit and have them tell stories about the Kurds, they will talk to them like they are the fiercest fighters and they want to make it. They'll be more than happy to arm the Kurds and let them go.
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Mark
And I think the Israelis who are fierce fighters would maybe have a game respecting game when it came to the Kurds and, and be delighted for them to do it.
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Larry O'Connor
And let's not forget the common enemy is the Turks. The Turks hate the Kurds and he does not like the Turks.
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Mark
I wonder why the Kurds are never drafted to go be like peacekeeping force in Gaza. It's just too controversial. I don't know. They seem good, like they should be. They should be hired by New York City mayor to patrol rough neighborhoods here.
- [22:33]
Kevin Walling
I'm surprised Blackwater. I'm surprised Blackwater hasn't tried to hire
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Larry O'Connor
Kevin and I open our DC nightclub. We're hiring Kurds for the security staff. All the bouncers will be and we're
- [22:44]
Kevin Walling
moving that lighting behind Larry to that club. So get ready.
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Mark
All right, let's. Let's move on to elections from yesterday. And again, always projecting from forward about what it means for the future. Raise your hand if you want in on the conversation. We'll get to you before too long about their war or anything else. Texas two surprises, really. I had thought Jasmine Crockett would win. She did it, for instance, had the endorsement of Kamala Harris. She was ahead in most the public polling, but of late people had been looking at private data and suggesting that Crockett would lose and Talarika would one and he did. So his win's a surprise. And yesterday, you guys, I don't know if you were able to watch the program. I kept saying, if everybody thinks that Paxton's going to get 40%, Cornyn's going to get 40% too, because it has to add up to 100. And he did. It was basically. It was basically 40, 40, my first correct prediction in months. And now there's a runoff. And so. But it's a surprise that Cornyn did as well as he did and in fact was ahead by a little bit over Paxton. So let's start. Let's start from the end and work backwards. Larry, who will be win this election in November?
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Larry O'Connor
Ken Paxton.
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Kevin Walling
Kevin, if it's Ken. If we're facing Ken Paxton. James Talarico.
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Mark
Okay. So Larry, do Larry thinks Talarico. Larry, do you think Cornyn would be Talarico?
- [24:05]
Larry O'Connor
I think either Republican will be Talarico.
- [24:07]
Mark
And Kevin, do you think Talarico would. Could beat Paxton but not Cornyn?
- [24:11]
Kevin Walling
Correct.
- [24:12]
Mark
Okay, so I don't understand why the President wouldn't endorse Cornyn. I've been predicting this for a while that after the first round that he'd endorse. That's right. We don't need to listen to Mr. Cooper, but thank you for throwing it up. He's on Morning Joe to raise money. Here's the thing. Chris La Civita is one of the president's top two or three political advisors. Jeff Rowe is. Is running the Paxton campaign.
- [24:39]
Kevin Walling
Here's how Chris hated among the Trump and is hated among the Trump folks. Right. For his support of DeSantis in the past.
- [24:46]
Mark
Here. Here's how. Here's how Chris LA feels about Paxton. And Jeff, row 117, please. He tweeted last night, hey, Ken, Paxton and Jeff row. The second wave is going to be a. Okay, now, in addition, still family show.
- [25:01]
Kevin Walling
Still family show this morning.
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Mark
Yeah, I got to read. What? I got to read. John. John th and the Senate establishment want the President to endorse th Coryn because he's an incumbent. And they don't want to have a messi primary because they're worried Paxton would lose the general election. In addition, they just got to save the money. I mean, it's going to cost so much money. And I don't. And I know maga. MAGA likes Paxton, but I mean, the president goes against MAGA all the time when it's in his interest. So Larry, why won't. Why would. And again, I think it's going to happen. But why wouldn't. Why. What's the. What's the argument against it except personal loyalty to Paxton for the President not to just take this off the table? Because Paxton could lose to Talarico. I don't know that he would, but he could. I don't I don't think Cornyn can.
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Larry O'Connor
Well, I was told that. I was told that we had to elect David Dewhurst because Ted Cruz could never win the Senate back in 2012, remember, by the way, in that people forget that went to a runoff, too. But on the primary day, Dewhurst beat Cruz in the first round by, like, 10 points. And then Chris crushed Dewhurst in the runoff.
- [26:09]
Mark
Cruz.
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Kevin Walling
Cruz. Yeah.
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Larry O'Connor
Cruz cruised. So, you know, there are a lot of people who have got an egg on their face when they predict that Wendy Davis is the answer for Texas or Beto o' Rourke is the answer for Texas. James Talarico is the same thing. Do not bet against whoever the Republican nominee is. And I think, naively, I think President Trump will not endorse Cornyn over Paxton because I think he actually likes Paxton and he thinks that Paxton will be a more loyal senator. Cornyn is fine, but he has not been great for Trump. There have been moments. Yes.
- [26:41]
Mark
Hedge a little bit, Larry, because Trump could endorse Cornyn during this program.
- [26:44]
Larry O'Connor
He could. You're right.
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Kevin Walling
I wonder if there's.
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Larry O'Connor
If I'm guilty of being naive.
- [26:49]
Mark
Yes, Kevin.
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Kevin Walling
I wonder if there's a little dynamic with. Sorry. With Thune, though, too. And the fact that, you know, he's not doing what the president wants on the filibuster. Yeah, he doesn't like that. The traditional Senate Republican folks pushing him in a direction. I wonder if it was someone else and not thune.
- [27:06]
Larry O'Connor
But 100% only spent $4 million. Cornyn spent $100 million.
- [27:11]
Mark
Of course, but. But remember that Chris La Civita works for Thune. For, For.
- [27:16]
Larry O'Connor
I know.
- [27:16]
Mark
For Corny.
- [27:17]
Larry O'Connor
I know.
- [27:18]
Mark
Yes. Anyway. Anyway. TALALARIKA Strange bedfellows. Mr. Halperns, not. Not since Barack Obama in 2008. And Beto O'.
- [27:26]
Kevin Walling
Rourke.
- [27:26]
Mark
Whenever has the press so slobbered over a guy.
- [27:29]
Larry O'Connor
He.
- [27:29]
Mark
He's a talented guy. He's a talent guy. He's a.
- [27:32]
Larry O'Connor
He's a.
- [27:32]
Mark
He's a man of faith. And the Democrats find that kind of intriguing. He uses his faith in service of extreme liberal positions. For the most part. He's not a moderate. He just. He just believes in God. And God says girls should play in trans athletes should play in women's and girls sports. I think that's his position. Anyway, here's my point. This guy's got no. This guy's got no scrutiny. He's got no scrutiny. They just slobber. His biggest problem is cleaning the slobber off of him. This story from December was in the New York Post. Okay. Amongst the little scrutiny he's gotten, this story was in the New York Post. It's about his online habits. Do you have that headline? Did I get. Did I, did we have that? Do we not have that? I can't remember. Anyway, I thought we did, but we don't.
- [28:17]
Larry O'Connor
I have it.
- [28:18]
Mark
The New York. Can I screen tv?
- [28:20]
Kevin Walling
I know Larry has it.
- [28:22]
Mark
The New York Post story. I gotta bring it up myself here. The New York Post story from December was about his online habits and his propensity to. Here's the headline. Devout Christian caught following prostitutes Only fans models on social media. Okay? He. He follows. He just. He follows him. He had an exchange. Here's the headline. Talarico, self professed devout Christian has been following prostitutes and porn stars on social media, even exchanging messages with some of the busty women. A new bombshell report revealed, again, he's not married. He can do what he wants in his personal life. But my point is there's about to be a bunch of opposition research dropped on this guy's head. Not just about his personal life, but also about his, about his, about his positions. Kevin, if a young up and cominging Republican star running at a blue state had a headline like this, would they be asked about it? If they did a TV interview, the interviewer say, you know, moderate. Mr. Moderate Republican. What about your connection online? Would they be asked to.
- [29:33]
Kevin Walling
I mean, to your. Yeah, I mean, the scrutiny's coming. I think this helps us win back white young men. So I'm all about this. If he's exchanging interactions with, you know, he's a normal young guy, maybe engaging with these folks. He only committed adultery in his heart, like Jimmy Carter. And this, this actually could, you know, he's a normal guy. For the general. For the general. Not for the primary, you guys. Not for the primary.
- [30:02]
Mark
You guys know who broke the story? The New York Post story says. It says the outlet found, but it doesn't. They can't see who the outlet is. It seems like they were.
- [30:11]
Larry O'Connor
Oh, I thought it was.
- [30:12]
Kevin Walling
I mean, I don't know.
- [30:13]
Mark
I don't know how they found out
- [30:14]
Kevin Walling
that he was like, engaging with them too.
- [30:16]
Mark
Yeah.
- [30:17]
Larry O'Connor
Yeah.
- [30:17]
Mark
Well, I think they have the screenshots from one of the women he. The woman he texted with. But my favorite thing in this. My favorite thing in the story, I guess the Post broke it even though it says the outlet find look confusing. My favorite thing in the story is, is the. His campaign's explanation of why he did this. Quote, the social media team, including James follows backs and engages with supporters who have large followings and does not investigate their backgrounds. While James was unaware of how these women make money, he does not judge them for it and will not play into an effort to smear them for clickbait articles. That's exactly what his Christian faith calls him to do. All I'm saying is here's what Talarico said in his victory speech last night. This is proof that there is something happening in Texas tonight. Tonight, the people of our state gave this country a little bit of hope. And a little bit of hope is a dangerous thing. All right. Again, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not saying he'll lose. He could win. I wouldn't be shocked. But he'd be the first Democrat to win in decades in a statewide race in Texas. And while he's very careful.
- [31:35]
Kevin Walling
Eight years, 38 years, almost four.
- [31:38]
Mark
Four decades. While he's very charismatic, I just don't think someone as liberal as he is, whose record is about to be the subject of millions of dollars in negative TV ads. I just don't think he's going to be the one even probably against, against Paxton, but I don't think Paxton's gonna be the nominee. Kevin, what's the single greatest argument to believe that Democrats are not getting all. Putting all their eggs and hoping that this guy is the answer? Like what's, what's, what's the, what's the thing he's got going? Is it his own talent? Is it this the mood of the state? What is it?
- [32:13]
Kevin Walling
I'd say two, I'd say two things. The more we can expand the map and make it close in these races and he can fundraise on his own. Right. He doesn't need institutional support, the better. Right. And the fact that they had to prop up Cornyn with $110 million that's pulling resources from North.
- [32:29]
Mark
I understand, but, but Ms. Now Democrats, Daily Beast Democrats who, who are investing in this guy is the great hope to break the 38 year drought. They're not going to be happy if he comes within three. And Republicans spend a lot of money. They want to win the seat. I'm saying if they want to make, if you were to make an argument of this guy winning the seat.
- [32:49]
Kevin Walling
Yeah.
- [32:49]
Mark
What, what's this? Is it his charisma? Is it his faith? What, what is it that, that, that, that would rationalize this irrational act to think this guy is gonna, you know, let's spend 10 mil, let's spend $200 million getting this guy elected.
- [33:05]
Kevin Walling
Yeah. I, I would Say a few things. Beto only lost by 2 and a half to, to Ted Cruz in that race. So it's not out of the question in a midterm year. And I think too that you look at what Hispanics did last night, right? And the way, you know, Talarico won because the blacks voted for Jasmine Crockett, whites voted for Talarico, and Hispanics in large degree went for Talarico. And now coming out of that primary too, we've got a Hispanic woman leading as the governor candidate on that, which could help with turnout. There something that we wanted back in the day with one of the Castro brothers running for governor alongside Beto o', War, that would have ginned up Hispanic support in that race and maybe close that two point gap with, with Ted Cruz in that race. So I would say that look at the Hispanic vote for that and that the fact that it was overperforming for Talarico last night gives me the hope beyond the 38 years.
- [34:00]
Mark
Well, well said, Larry. Name the object you will eat if Talarico wins the race. A hat, A shoe. What are you going to eat?
- [34:08]
Larry O'Connor
Sure, we'll go for a hat because it's not going to happen.
- [34:11]
Mark
It's okay.
- [34:12]
Kevin Walling
North Carolina with old bay seasoning all over there.
- [34:15]
Mark
North Carolina.
- [34:16]
Larry O'Connor
O' Rourke has more charisma than James Telero.
- [34:19]
Mark
Yeah, but he's flaky. He's flakier though, north.
- [34:22]
Larry O'Connor
Or at least pretty flaky. Yeah. And the sound bites we have, we have a video of Telo saying our southern border should be like our front porch with a big welcome mat on it.
- [34:30]
Mark
Yeah, no, well, I know.
- [34:31]
Kevin Walling
And he also said, he also said God is. God is binary or whatever and non binary.
- [34:41]
Mark
I'm telling you, the video, the opposition coming, the opposition research is coming. Before you write him a $2,000 check, you may want to wait to see the first wave of this stuff because they want to kill him early. They just want to end it and kill him early. Okay. North Carolina Senate race is now set. As if there are any doubt. Roy Cooper will be the Democratic nominee. Mr. Whatley will be the Republican nominee. This is going to go down as a massive mistake. I believe Cooper's undefeated statewide.
- [35:07]
Larry O'Connor
What?
- [35:07]
Mark
We've never run for public office. He was the RNC chair and he was the state chair. And to give you an idea of what profound political skills he has, here's his victories, part of his victory speech from last night, and I want to
- [35:20]
Wickham
thank President Donald J. Trump
- [35:25]
Kevin Walling
for his strong and unwavering support in this race, his leadership has changed our country and I am proud to stand with him in the fight to secure our border,
- [35:38]
Wickham
to strengthen our economy and put America first.
- [35:43]
Mark
Larry, who's going to win this race? Tonight we begin the next chapter of
- [35:48]
Larry O'Connor
this is the I think this is the best chance Democrats have to flip a seat. I still think it's going to go for the Republicans, mostly because of Cooper's. You're going to hear a lot about irina Zyritska, the 23 year old Ukrainian woman who was murdered on the light rail in Charlotte because of policies that, that the Democrat nominee put forth when he was governor. That's, I think, going to be the difference maker, but I think it's going to be the tightest and toughest ones. And if Democrats flip a seat this midterm, this is the one.
- [36:17]
Mark
Kevin, who's going to win?
- [36:20]
Kevin Walling
I will, I will eat the hat if Roy Cooper doesn't win by double digits.
- [36:25]
Mark
Yeah. And double. By double digits.
- [36:27]
Kevin Walling
Double digits, Kevin.
- [36:29]
Larry O'Connor
Oh wow.
- [36:30]
Mark
Kevin.
- [36:31]
Kevin Walling
I'm saying now I was out there saying Mikey Sheryl is going to win by double digits and everyone's like, oh no, it's going to, you know, this is, you know, midterm year. Roy Cooper is incredibly popular. Yeah. And Michael Watley just doesn't have the stuff.
- [36:42]
Mark
Yeah. I mean there's got to be somebody in North Carolina would have a better chance than Whatley. But they chose Watley with the run on a post. All right.
- [36:48]
Kevin Walling
People were saying Lara Trump, others in the chat. It could have been way better.
- [36:51]
Mark
Quick question. And then one, one, one piece of video and then, and then to your question. So please raise your hand if you'd like to be in the conversation. This, this was a dago, but I really wanted you guys to win. The Democrats announced the final five cities for their 2028 convention. They also announced that they're not going to do a 2026 convention, which the Republicans are planning on doing. So first. Yes, no answer. Larry, Is it a mistake for Democrats to cancel the midterm convention to rival the Republicans? Yes or no.
- [37:20]
Larry O'Connor
Yeah, I was very surprised to hear that.
- [37:22]
Mark
Kevin.
- [37:22]
Larry O'Connor
Is it a mistake the way they win is to nationalize this?
- [37:25]
Mark
Yes, I agree. Kevin, yes or no?
- [37:29]
Kevin Walling
No, it's not a mistake. It's a logistical nightmare to do this in four months or something like that. Pull resources away and it'd be a distraction. We want Donald Trump to be out there at that point, especially if the economy is not great at that convention and the optics alone. And I'm Pulling for Atlanta, just like my dear friend. Yes. Even though it's going to be hotter than hell. But that's what the deal with any convention is in the summer.
- [37:50]
Mark
Yeah. All right. 20, 28 cities. Put the graphic back up, please. Gentlemen, I'm going to ask you, who should they pick to host the convention and who will they pick? Stipulate that. Don't base your choice on who's got the most hotel rooms and the best logistics just for the optics. Well, that's true. Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia. Kevin, who should they pick? Atlanta. Atlanta. You think they should pick Atlanta, Right?
- [38:17]
Kevin Walling
They should pick either Atlanta or Philadelphia in terms of how important Georgia and
- [38:21]
Mark
Pennsylvania are and which will they pick?
- [38:25]
Kevin Walling
I think they pick Atlanta.
- [38:26]
Larry O'Connor
Yeah, Larry, I agree. They should pick Atlanta. I kind of think they're going to pick Denver, though, because I think you're going to have a Western candidate and a Western lean, I think.
- [38:39]
Mark
Who's the Western candidate going to be? Gavin Newsom.
- [38:41]
Larry O'Connor
Yeah, I watched your interview.
- [38:43]
Mark
Okay. I think Atlanta.
- [38:45]
Kevin Walling
It was a great interview.
- [38:46]
Mark
Thank you. That. Let's look at a bit of the interview. This is our last topic. Gavin Newsom, as you'll hear in a moment, says that if his wife or his kids don't want him to run for president, he's giving them a veto. Now, what some people say is, well, he'll pretend that they all said yes. I want you to watch this gentleman and tell me, do you believe him? Do you believe that he is not going to try to, you know, steamroll over them? Here's part of my conversation from next up with Gavin Newsom, please. 120. But if one, but if one kid's
- [39:14]
Gavin Newsom
not going to be the reason.
- [39:15]
Mark
But if that. But if one kid or one spouse says, I don't want you to run, is that it? Or will you run in the face of their opposition?
- [39:25]
Gavin Newsom
Yeah, I can't run in the face of their opposition. Then I'm running away from all my truth and everything I put out in the book. Then I'm what those critics, the folks you're talking to, I need you to get a new friend group. Those critics are saying about me 24 7.
- [39:40]
Mark
So what would you say to all the people, including, I'll say, Governor, some of your own advisors who contact me and say, mark, you look like an idiot when you say Gavin Newsom might not run or won't run. What should I. What would you say to all those people?
- [39:52]
Gavin Newsom
Yeah, just that they, they're wrong and they should be cautious about that. That said, look you got to have. I've said this 100 times. It's the Nietzsche. You got to have a big enough why to endure any how. You just described the how. How the hell you endure the slings and arrows. These guys. Look, I'm not these. They want to take me out. And you don't even know the half of it. You all think you know the half of it. Everybody you're writing. You don't know the half of what these guys are doing. The Trump administration is doing. You know what they're capable of doing. You know intuitively what they're doing. I have a better sense of what they actually are doing. This, this is zero sum for them. They want to flatten me. I get it. So it's not that. But you know what? Right now, the reason I'm leaning in is because I have a why and it's burning. And I'm going to stand up and I'm going to draw a line. And we drew lines literally here with Proposition 50. And I'm going to push back, and I'm going to push. I'm going to hit this bully back in the mouth. I don't like what's going on in this country. I don't period. Full stop. I'm not counting today. And anyway, I don't like what's going on Primetime Fox. I don't, I don't like the racism, the anti. I don't like any of this. And so I'm going to call it out. If I feel that way, you sure as hell better know that I will run for president as it relates to the future of this country. But you're right, that has to be backed up with the family first, and I will not screw that up. So your answer is yes. They all have a veto. Every single one of those kids have a veto.
- [41:10]
Mark
Larry, do his kids have a veto?
- [41:14]
Larry O'Connor
I believe I actually do. I think he's being genuine. And I also believe when he told the story about his son saying, I'm too young, please, I need you to be my dad, I believe that that occurred. I also believe that this is going to be the biggest pivot. And I think that he will convince his children to support his bid for the president in the same way that he's convinced report voters to support him over all these years despite his dismal failures.
- [41:36]
Kevin Walling
Kevin, he's absolutely running. I, I encourage everyone to watch the full interview, not just for flattery. I, I don't want a Jack Keane moment here, you know, where you're like, I don't need the flattery. But like the way that you got him to, you know, he, he takes a lot of blame for going to French Laundry and calls that out in terms of self inflicted wounds and not being in a controlled environment one on one. I thought you got him to say a lot of things that I haven't heard before in these kind of interviews. So I encourage everyone to watch it.
- [42:06]
Mark
Thank you for that. You know, Howard's rules of interviewing don't ask any questions they're expecting or that they've ever been asked before. And I tried to stay within that for this. And the story about his kids finding out that he'd been married previously and what they did about it is a story he's never told before, I believe. So I recommend that it's on.
- [42:23]
Kevin Walling
And then also too on that you got him to really expand on the dyslexia thing from, from a, a human standpoint, not a, you know, kind of a compassion standpoint. He, he certainly has some situation, some condition that he talked about, how he actually has to read and process and all that kind of stuff beyond just the headlines. So I thought that was important too.
- [42:42]
Larry O'Connor
My, my problem, and I think I'm not alone, is that after having Gavin Newsom in my life for many, many years, I just don't believe him. I don't, but it is, it's a great interview, but I can't believe anything that he says. So, I mean, it is what it is.
- [42:55]
Mark
Next time I interview him, I'll strap him to a lie detector machine. How about that? All right, a word from the sponsors and then, and then to your questions right now. If you're looking for a solution to any of the following. Don't want to shop for food for meals. Don't like to cook. Don't like to clean up. Want to make sure you're eating healthy. Ladies and gentlemen, I have one stop for you to make to make. To solve all those problems, go to factor meals.com two way 50 off and get a become a part of the subscription service that delivers fresh, fully cooked meals to your door. Just try it once. If you don't like it, you go back to going to the supermarket. Go back to chopping vegetables and cooking your food and then spending an hour cleaning up. You could do it that way. Or go back to eating cereal for breakfast, for dinner. Factor meals.com two way 50 off. You get 50% off your first box of meals. Free breakfast for a year. These are real meals. They're made with protein, vegetables, whole food, ingredients healthy fats, no refined sugars, no artificial sweeteners, no refined seed oils. It takes two and a half minutes to cook them and then just throw the boxes away. Couldn't be better. Give it a try right now. If you want to really change how you deal with food and all the things you want, less time cooking, less time cleaning, less time agonizing over not eating healthy, go to factor meals.com two way 50 off. For 50% off your first box and free breakfast for a year, this is it.
- [44:18]
Larry O'Connor
The world as you know it is over. Completely done. It's not about to be over. It's over.
- [44:25]
Mark
Some of the scientists who helped build AI are now sounding the alarm. I was selling AI as a great thing for decades and I was wrong. I was wrong. There is a longer term existential threat
- [44:40]
Matt Ebert
that will arise when we create digital
- [44:42]
Mark
beings that are more intelligent than ourselves. We have no idea whether we can stay in control. While others say that AI will usher in unfathomable abundance, I've always believed that
- [44:53]
Kevin Walling
it's going to be the most important
- [44:55]
Mark
invention that humanity will ever make.
- [44:57]
Larry O'Connor
This really will be a world of abundance.
- [45:00]
Mark
And among these fears and these fantasies, we seek the story of our future. Listen to the last invention on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. Lastly, Cozy Earth will also give you a discount. 20% off everything on the site. Go to cozyearth.com you get 20% off. Ladies and gentlemen, today's the day to do it. If you haven't listened to me previously, now's the time. Go to cozyearth.com get 20% off. Buy the Baja bedding sheet set. Buy the Luxe bath towel set. Buy the Bubble Cuddle blanket. But for dear God, buy the pants. Just buy one pair of pants and then you'll go back, you'll buy more. These are products that are. They're just soft, they're comfortable. And the Bubble Cuddle blanket alone will change your life and that of all those around you, including those around you who happen to have four legs. Animals love cozy earth. Go to cozyearth.com use the promo code morning for 20% off. Refresh your routines with comfort that make every day feel like a new year. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention to that matter here.
- [46:05]
Kevin Walling
We feel like you've created a whole marketing vertical for them on the pet front. Did they ever do that before the morning meeting in the show? I don't think so.
- [46:13]
Mark
Good question. They should. I don't know if they've done that or not. But I'm going to recommend it. Thank you for that recommendation.
- [46:18]
Matt Ebert
I started with one shop. No college degree, no big investors. It was just a willingness to work. Over time, that one shop turned into a multi billion dollar business called Crash Champions. All the lessons I learned along the way came from the grind. And that's what my show, Pod Crash is all about. We have real conversations with people who've built things the hard way. We talk to founders, athletes, and blue collar leaders who kept going when things got tough. You'll hear stories of grit, leadership and growth. Plus real world lessons you can take back to your team and your life tomorrow.
- [46:52]
Mark
When you get momentum, you step on the gas.
- [46:55]
Gavin Newsom
That's how you get separation from everybody else. I was at Harvard Law School. I was, blah, blah, blah. I looked up, let me tell you something, there's kids in my neighborhood putting in sheetrock that are smarter than you. AI is going to disrupt a lot of stuff.
- [47:06]
Mark
It is never going to disrupt physical blue collar trade skill.
- [47:10]
Kevin Walling
And the guy just looked at me and he said, it's bloody impossible. So I asked him this question.
- [47:14]
Mark
I said, it's impossible.
- [47:15]
Larry O'Connor
Impossible.
- [47:16]
Mark
Unless that's.
- [47:18]
Matt Ebert
Podcast with me, Matt ebert. Watch on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
- [47:26]
Mark
Here we go, ladies and gentlemen, to your questions, your comments, your suggestions, your animal pictures. Dean from Ohio, a stalwart member of the Two Way community. Dean, welcome in. Thank you for being here. Unmute, unmute. You got the. Did you lose your hair?
- [47:40]
Dean from Ohio
I know, right?
- [47:42]
Mark
Tell everybody what's on your mind today for Kevin and Larry, and again, thank you for being part of Two Way.
- [47:47]
Dean from Ohio
Thanks, guys, and good morning to everyone. Here's what I'm trying to figure out in the context of the war with Iran, and I'm trying for those that have a genuine there, they oppose it because of the alignment with Israel or because it was a mistake or because for whatever reason, what is the proper way to address or express those beliefs? While we have American servicemen and women who are actually in harm's way, how can they do that without betraying their core beliefs?
- [48:27]
Mark
Great question, Larry.
- [48:29]
Larry O'Connor
Kevin. Well, I mean, sure, Kevin. Only because I think that it's more apt for his side of the conversation right now.
- [48:37]
Mark
Kevin.
- [48:37]
Kevin Walling
Yeah, yeah, I would say. And you're seeing folks on my side struggle with that, right? So, you know, Fox News has been lighting up Hakeem Jeffries right now for something he said about the direction of the war, equating it to, you know, a lack of support for the troops. And again, I think once we're engaged in the theater of conflicts. Full stop. Support the troops on the ground. They're not choosing to be there following the orders of the commander in chief, and they're carrying it out brilliant, brilliantly. Full stop there. And then I think in time, you then pivot to, you know, criticism of the direction, the thinking behind the theory of the case. And that I think that is because, again, Republicans, you know, will, will are incredibly effective of using those arguments against us when, you know, they, they paint us as not being for the troops, not being patriotic in this effort and things like that. And I think we've got to counter that. And I will also say happy birthday, Eve. Dean, for being on here. Is it, isn't it your birthday tomorrow?
- [49:45]
Dean from Ohio
Wrong guy. But that's okay.
- [49:46]
Mark
I'll take it for oh, sorry.
- [49:47]
Kevin Walling
For whose birthday is it? And I thought you.
- [49:52]
Mark
Kevin, Kevin, don't read, only glance at the.
- [49:54]
Dean from Ohio
Don't read the chat. And let me just say, let me also say it's not just the left. I caught a clip of somebody on the right that I had to take a double take. People have to understand when you say people, though.
- [50:07]
Larry O'Connor
DEAN no, it wasn't elected official COMMENTATOR yeah, yeah.
- [50:10]
Dean from Ohio
When somebody says that servicemen, US Servicemen died for another country or died for nothing, people have to understand how, how, how deep that cuts. And that's, that's a not okay comment.
- [50:26]
Larry O'Connor
I agree. And listen, obviously it's every American's right, whether they're an elected official or not or a member of the media, to criticize our president and criticize our policies, frankly, especially when we're engaged in a military action, I think that's when warranted criticism is most important in a free republic. But how that's done, Dean, you're 100% right. And to suggest that as mothers and fathers are receiving the news that their child was just killed in this conflict and hearing from a prominent voice that they died for another country. Country or for a lost cause, it cuts way too deep. And for crying out loud, this conflict is about a minute and a half old right now. Let's let things unfold a little bit and see exactly how it plays out. I agree.
- [51:09]
Kevin Walling
And Dean, I will also. We're also seeing that play out on the right, though, too, in terms of prominent voices on the right saying these troops have died for Israel or another war or something like that. So it's not just relegated to the Democrats, I would say, as part of that, but we all have to do better.
- [51:23]
Mark
Dean thank you.
- [51:24]
Larry O'Connor
Referring to, by the way, Kevin I just want to make sure.
- [51:26]
Mark
Yep. Dean, very grateful to you. Thank you for coming on. Grateful to you. Wickham, welcome in. Tell folks who don't know where you are and what's on your mind for Kevin and for Larry.
- [51:36]
Wickham
Okay. Where I am usually Michigan. But right now I'm coming to you from the sunny shores of Palm Beach Shores, Florida. We decamped for our winter break a little while ago and I can say to you, Mark, that the, that the morning meeting quarter zip is everybody's comfortable in Florida as it is in Michigan.
- [51:53]
Mark
Yeah. That's a nice one.
- [51:55]
Kevin Walling
You.
- [51:55]
Mark
And I've got the same logo on today. And again, remind everybody if you want to be like Wickham, be the smartest dressed person, whatever community you're in, winter, summer, fall or spring, go to two Way TV Fairway to get their discount for two Way community members. You can buy the regular stuff or like Wickham has on and I have on, you can buy stuff with the two way. So w, you got anything on your sleeve? Got a catchphrase on you conversation like another. I got no smack in the chat. You can customize whichever catchphrases you want. Thank you for that. Thank you for being here. Floor is yours, sir.
- [52:26]
Wickham
Okay. This is a kind of a very serious question I want to ask, and it's this I'd like to ask if any of you believe that it would be possible for a moderate Iran to emerge without the elimination of the irgc.
- [52:43]
Mark
Great question.
- [52:45]
Larry O'Connor
Now, the irgc, the IRGC and the entire theocratic ayatollah, sort of politburo or College of Cardinals or whatever they call them, that's a non starter going forward.
- [52:57]
Mark
Kevin?
- [52:58]
Kevin Walling
I agree. Yeah. I mean this also, we have to remember and not forget about Ted Cruz, that this is a country, 93 million people too. So you've got a wide range of thoughts. And they're not all in line obviously, with the current regime.
- [53:15]
Wickham
Well, in Germany after World War II, it was hard to find a Nazi for a little while, but then again, there were 2 million troops on the ground, when you count the Allies and the Russians. So it's just hard to see how that could happen. And it's worrisome.
- [53:28]
Larry O'Connor
It's one of the reasons why there are a lot of voices, Wickham, who are wanting the crown prince, the son of the Shah, to sort of be a transitional figure, not an actual final monarchy, but just sort of a head of state to unify a lot of the voices in that country to sort of help them transition out. It might be an Interesting idea.
- [53:48]
Mark
President continues to seem to be pretty down on the Shah's son.
- [53:51]
Larry O'Connor
He was lukewarm there yesterday.
- [53:53]
Mark
Both the President, not as, not as down as he was on Zelensky, who he called, what do you call him, the P.T. barnum of Europe. The Wall Street Journal has two separate stories today, one about the Israelis, one about the US Saying that efforts are being made to eliminate the security state in Iraq, along with the military, along with the theocratic leadership. They're trying to eliminate those forces who are in charge of cracking down on dissent. And if that happens, maybe it'll encourage people to come back out. As we've talked about here, you've got the mourning period and, and, and the reality that being out on the street is a dangerous place to be right now. So if you think that you could imagine a world maybe under slightly different circumstances, where there'd be protests in support of the United States and in opposition to the theocracy, thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people on the street. But there's nothing like that right now, at least not that we know of. And that, and that, you know, that makes the notion of sort of political momentum less.
- [54:54]
Larry O'Connor
Larry, what part of Michigan, Wickham?
- [54:57]
Wickham
Oh, oh, I'm, I'm just outside Ann Arbor. Between Ann Arbor and Celine.
- [55:02]
Mark
Yeah. Larry, can you point, can you point to your hand where that is?
- [55:05]
Larry O'Connor
I would.
- [55:05]
Mark
Wait. Yeah.
- [55:05]
Larry O'Connor
Well, he's right here. I was. Oh, down in Celine. Wait, is it. So I was between Ann Arbor and Detroit in Plymouth, right near Lavonia.
- [55:12]
Wickham
You were further. You were further east than I was.
- [55:14]
Larry O'Connor
Yeah.
- [55:16]
Mark
Wickham, thank you for being here. Grateful to you. All right, let's.
- [55:20]
Larry O'Connor
Yeah, very good thing.
- [55:21]
Mark
Let's get somebody else in here.
- [55:23]
Larry O'Connor
Have you ever done the Michigan thing, Mark? Do you do that?
- [55:26]
Mark
I do it all the time. And then, and whenever I do that, they're like, I'm actually from the Upper Peninsula.
- [55:30]
Larry O'Connor
Oh, then you got to do that hand.
- [55:31]
Kevin Walling
Yeah, exactly like that finger up there.
- [55:33]
Mark
Two handed thing.
- [55:34]
Larry O'Connor
Canada.
- [55:34]
Mark
Yeah. Haley, welcome in. Thank you for being here. Unmute. Tell everybody what's on your mind. For Kevin and for Larry.
- [55:41]
Haley
Hi guys. I'm coming to you now from Palm Beach Gardens. Also Florida down here.
- [55:50]
Kevin Walling
How about it?
- [55:51]
Haley
Freaking beautiful too. Perfect for a New Yorker. But anyway, so I just wanted to, first of all, like, I don't think it's being said enough how really incredible the US and the IDF are really performing right now. I. The store, like, you know, I'm addicted obviously to Israeli news, but like every 10 minutes there's just something new that somebody's done that's just outrageous and out of, just mind blowing and just absolutely incredible what's really being happening on the ground. But I have, like, I, I do have some worries about what's going on. I am supportive. I think I've said that on here and pretty obvious, but I'm worried that the, the, the Iranian people are kind of going,
- [56:38]
Mark
we lose Haley.
- [56:40]
Kevin Walling
Oh, no.
- [56:41]
Haley
And to take back their regime, like, they're now having, you know, issues. Like, I know a lot of people are leaving Tehran. I know, like, they're now getting a little bit more worried as, let's say, like, rather than. They're very, a lot of them I can hear supportive, but they're worried that the airstrikes are just like the momentum for the protests are kind of dying. So I guess my question is, like, obviously nobody knows, like, the military strategies and plans that are happening, but, like, what can we do to kind of get these guys out to protest again? Like, is there going to be a point where we, like, you know, the president says, like, now it's your time to take back? Because no, if people don't understand this regime has built itself to survive. Like, yeah, and that's like a really strong point that, that, you know, I just, I'm worried about that they're, they're getting lost in the, in the midst of everything going on.
- [57:35]
Kevin Walling
Kevin yeah, Colleen just made a really good point in the chat, and I apologize for looking at the chat, but
- [57:42]
Mark
you can glance at it. Just. I'm glancing at it.
- [57:44]
Kevin Walling
The getting the Internet back on so that folks can connect with one another, opposition can connect with one another should be paramount right now at day five going in. That should be the, you know, strengthening voice of America. Engaging, you know, those operations on the ground so that folks can connect organically and not necessarily from a safety perspective in the street right now, as this is going on, but giving them the tools to organize as we saw during the Arab Spring, I think is the critically important thing in the short term.
- [58:15]
Larry O'Connor
Haley and Haley, just real quickly, it's a war zone literally right now. So I don't think it actually necessarily is advisable or helps to have tens of thousands marching in the streets as are coming down. I just assume I could be wrong, but I assume that the leaders of the opposition who inspired those protests in March in the past, they're currently sort of making contact with our government, the Israeli government, the operatives who have sort of been working there and sort of making their pitch as to why they should be part of the new regime moving forward. So I just assume that that's going on behind the scenes. Right.
- [58:54]
Mark
If the US and Israel were really technologically badass, they would keep the Internet away from the government but somehow let the people have it. That would be good. Good sectoring. Thank you.
- [59:05]
Larry O'Connor
Can do it.
- [59:05]
Mark
Yeah. Thank you, Haley.
- [59:07]
Kevin Walling
Have fun down there. You look great. Florida looks great on you.
- [59:09]
Mark
Yes. Yeah.
- [59:10]
Larry O'Connor
You look like you're suiting Austin.
- [59:12]
Mark
Suits you. I'm going to leave you ball in the capable hands here of Larry and Larry and Kevin while I head over to Sirius XM as you know program continues second hour there. SiriusXM channel 111. Join us there. Megan Kelly channel every Monday through Friday for a second hour right after this. I do want to note. Larry will tell you about the details in a moment. Citizen McCain is on today, Vanessa filling in for Megan. But starting in a week, less than a week, right? The ninth, am I right? Five days. Yeah, in five days. Well, next week, I forget what day it is, but next week Megan will be back and Megan is such a valuable part of this community and of the two way operation and a great friend and she's coming back after having the cutest baby boy I've ever seen. Truly. And so I'm excited about that. So gentlemen, thank you both. I'll be back at 5 o' clock tonight for 2A tonight and we'll see you tomorrow here. But Larry, take it away.
- [60:08]
Larry O'Connor
My questioning of Gavin Newsom's veracity, by the way, not a reflection on you wiring up up to a lie detector. I. You would agree that interviewing a politician is not to get to the truth?
- [60:18]
Mark
Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. But I mean as I, as I talked about the interview like, and in the reaction to the interviews so far, a lot of people hate the guy. I just, I'm amazed at the, how vociferous it is. And well, I know you're, you're in that group, but just there's something about him that just inspires people to animus and, and real intense incredulity about his whole thing. And, and we talked about that and you saw a little bit of that. He's, he's fired up about it.
- [60:46]
Larry O'Connor
But don't, don't hook him up to a lie detector. It'll short circuit. There'd be smoke everywhere, just be exploding.
- [60:52]
Mark
I'll get a job. I'll get a Japanese one. It can handle anything. All right, thank you guys. Thank you everybody. I'll see you. I'll see you later.
- [60:58]
Larry O'Connor
Thank you.
- [60:58]
Kevin Walling
Thanks, Mark. We'll see you on serious right now. Over.
- [61:02]
Larry O'Connor
We're in charge now, Kevin. We're in charge.
- [61:03]
Kevin Walling
How about it? School's out for summer. Substitutes in. Let's do it.
- [61:08]
Larry O'Connor
Is there anything, anything we want to say here that'll get us in trouble that we can't say when Mark's around?
- [61:13]
Kevin Walling
No, no. Because you know, I don't, I'm, I still don't want to get in trouble. I'm an only child that likes positive support and feedback. So.
- [61:21]
Larry O'Connor
All right.
- [61:22]
Mark
What do you.
- [61:23]
Kevin Walling
But we've got a lot to highlight. We got a lot.
- [61:25]
Larry O'Connor
What do you think James Talarico's biggest vulnerability is going, going in because I know you seem pretty high on him.
- [61:31]
Kevin Walling
Maybe that he's not married. Actually, you know, you know that he's a young guy without a family. I think that potentially hurts in a place like Texas.
- [61:40]
Larry O'Connor
Well, it's like he's going on horn sites or anything. Oh, wait a second.
- [61:45]
Kevin Walling
We'll find out.
- [61:45]
Larry O'Connor
You know, interesting political times. Yes, Citizen McCain is live at 12pm with Miranda filling in. And it's Mo Kelly and White House correspondent for the Daily Mail, Nikki Schwab who just got that exclusive interview with the president the other day. Oh, by the way, as we mentioned, town hall is going to be the new media state. And since I'm, it's our managing editor Matt Vespa who will be representing us for town hall today at the White House.
- [62:12]
Kevin Walling
And they usually give, Caroline usually gives the first question to that seat, I think. Right, Larry? Is that right? So be on the lookout for that.
- [62:19]
Larry O'Connor
We Love Matt Vespa. Two way tonight live 5p. Oh, no, wait. Sorry. We're moving on to the Moynihan report live at 7pm Michael Moynihan hosting a special episode on Iran. The guests are to be determined, but he usually has some pretty, pretty interesting voices. And then would you like to promo the two way tonight at five?
- [62:40]
Kevin Walling
I've got my dear friend Yammesi Egwawale holding down the fort with Mark at five o' clock for two way tonight alongside American Enterprise fellow Christine Rosen. So that's at 5pm don't miss out on that. And we'll be back live, of course, tomorrow morning with the two of us at 9am We've got Professor Kenny and the official Post show starting at 11 after the serious show that's starting right now.
- [63:10]
Larry O'Connor
Thanks for watching, everybody. See you tomorrow.
- [63:12]
Kevin Walling
Thanks, everybody.