Biden Lacked Mental Fitness To Issue Pardons, New House GOP Report Finds; Aides May Face Prosecution

Summary

2WAY Morning Meeting

Episode: Biden Lacked Mental Fitness To Issue Pardons, New House GOP Report Finds; Aides May Face Prosecution
Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Mark Halperin, Sean Spicer, Dan Turrentine

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Episode Overview

This episode of the 2WAY Morning Meeting dives deep into the latest political turbulence surrounding the House GOP report asserting President Biden's lack of mental fitness to issue pardons, and the related legal jeopardy that may face his aides. The regular hosts—Mark Halperin, Sean Spicer, and Dan Turrentine—break down the day's top stories, including international diplomacy, domestic economic issues, the government shutdown, and evolving 2026 election campaigns, with rich discussion and listener input.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biden’s Age, Asia Trip, and Mental Fitness Scrutiny

• Biden in Japan: The episode opens with discussion about President Biden's appearance during his recent trip to Japan, with social media buzzing over his "Bidenesque" demeanor.
  • Sean: "I don't care if you're 40 or 50 or 90. Like, the guy's on the move...just staying up that long...I'm exhausted." (02:41)
  • Dan: "He is getting older. He is physically slightly slowing down. It is natural." (03:14)
• The hosts agree that age-related slowing is natural, but diverge on whether it's impacting his job performance.

2. US-Japan Relations and Diplomatic Theater

• Trump’s visit to Japan and rapport with the new Japanese prime minister—remarkable as she is the first woman in that role.
  • Trump (clip): "The cherished alliance between the United States and Japan is one of the most remarkable relationships...a foundation of peace and security in the Pacific." (06:22)
• Political Insight: The hosts praise the new PM and discuss the symbolic importance of the US-Japan relationship and its shifting place in US foreign policy.
  • Dan: "We need Japan. Like, we should be allies...kudos to Trump if this lasts." (09:20)

3. Trump Administration’s Economic Wins and Challenges

• Scott Bassett for the Fed?: Trump lauds Treasury Secretary Scott Bassett and muses about him taking over the Federal Reserve.
  • Trump (clip): "He soothes the markets. I don't...I sometimes disturb the markets. He soothes the market. I said, Scott, go in and clean it all up for me." (12:41)
• AI & Labor Market: Wall Street Journal reports massive layoffs and hiring freezes at Amazon, JP Morgan Chase, and others, using AI for growth without human hiring.
• Dan: "There also seems to be potentially a white collar recession coming...AI may be causing a...challenge for Trump is always talking about the stock market as the indicator." (14:46)
• Sean: "Your perspective changes depending on where you sit...If you're a younger American...it's probably a little frustrating." (15:53)

4. China Trade Deal Prospects and Geopolitical Implications

• On an upcoming US-China agreement focused on rare earth minerals and soybeans:
  • Sean: "If you say like, hey, we got a 10 year [soybean] deal...that would be huge." (18:31)
  • Dan: "Kind of feels like you're back to where you were at the start...you're not hearing is the idea...of reshoring." (19:26)
• Speculation on possible quid pro quo involving Taiwan/Ukraine in exchange for Chinese cooperation is discussed (17:30, 19:24).

5. Government Shutdown Mechanics & SNAP Benefits

• Tensions rise as unions break with Democrats, demanding government reopen without additional health care measures.
  • Mark: "The government employees union said yesterday, basically endorsed the Republican route, which is endless." (20:13)
• How might Schumer “wave the white flag” on negotiations? Hosts map complex procedural steps needed.
• Sean: "There's no way...No Republican will vote for a straight up extension [of ACA subsidies]. No way." (24:04)
• Strong focus on how public suffering, especially around SNAP benefits and food insecurity, will end up forcing the shutdown to resolve.
  • Nicole (listener): “Nobody wins when 40 million Americans are hungry. Nobody wins when, when military families are wondering how we pay our mortgage. Nobody wins.” (47:07)

6. House GOP Report: Biden’s Fitness & Legal Ramifications

• New report details internal administration concerns about Biden’s cognitive decline post-June debate, suggestions he step aside, and Hunter Biden’s involvement in pardon talks.
  • Mark: “What he [Zients] said is pretty significant...there was a debate within.” (30:28)
• Legal question: Are executive orders signed by Biden legally valid? Will the DOJ act on these findings?
  • Sean: "I think there's a constitutional issue that's going to have to get answered." (31:43)
  • Dan: "That's the much bigger issue because that's a functioning history." (31:59)

7. Political 2026: Rising and Falling Campaigns

• Maine Senate Race: Attention to the surging candidacy of Platner; 700 at a rally in rural Maine signals rising momentum.
  • Mark: "700 people in Maine...there haven't been that many events with 700 political events with 700 people there." (33:47)
  • Sean: "If he was a Democratic stock, I'd buy it." (33:51)
• NYC Mayor’s Race & Turnout Anxiety: Hosts caution against overreliance on polls; turnout (not polling) will decide outcomes. (36:55-39:09)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Biden’s Endurance:
  Sean (re: Biden's trip): "I'm reading all the stuff that he's doing and just staying up that long...I didn't travel. I traveled an hour this week and I'm exhausted.” (02:41)
• On the White House Press Secretary’s Book Tour:
  Dan: “Her argument is somewhat nonsensical...everyone else has kind of pulled the curtain back and stated the obvious. So if she wrote this first...but she's coming after so many people have said, right, he was struggling.” (29:57)
• Listener Nicole on Economic Pain & SNAP:
  Nicole, Tennessee listener: “Nobody wins when 40 million Americans are hungry...if you can't get us paid and you can't get people fed, you're full of it.” (47:07)
• Mark on Political Reality:
  Mark: "History will not look kindly on this. Raise your hand if you've never raised your hand before and you want to be in on the conversation." (32:03)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:59 | Biden’s Japan trip and social media reactions | | 06:22 | Trump’s speech on US-Japan alliance, new PM | | 12:33 | Trump jokes about Scott Bassett as Fed Chair | | 14:46 | AI in the workforce, rising layoffs, white collar recession possibility | | 18:31 | Sean on the China deal’s agricultural impacts | | 20:13 | Unions break with Democrats on government shutdown | | 24:04 | Procedural complexities of ending the shutdown, ACA subsidies debate | | 29:57 | Press secretary Kerin Jean-Pierre’s book tour, party loyalty, and media narrative | | 30:28 | House GOP report: Biden's fitness and high-level discussions for him to step down | | 31:43 | Legal/constitutional implications of Biden signing pardons if unfit | | 33:47 | Platner’s rally in Maine: signs of electoral momentum | | 36:55 | Analysis of 2026 election races: NYC, New Jersey, Virginia | | 47:01 | Nicole's firsthand account of economic hardship and what politicians should do | | 50:55 | Mark predicts shutdown will end soon due to mounting public pain |

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Listener Input & Community Building

• Nicole’s testimony about relying on SNAP moved the hosts and audience. Her remark sparked a call-to-action for listeners to support local food banks, exemplifying the show's aim for impact beyond talk (46:12–50:21).
• Other callers raised issues from local perspectives: party registration challenges (Pennsylvania) and campaign financing dynamics (New Jersey gubernatorial).

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Tone & Language

The hosts maintain a conversational, fast-paced, slightly irreverent but deeply informed tone. The blend of seasoned political analysis (from both left and right), personal anecdotes, and real listener stories brings both sharp insight and empathy.

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Summary

This episode is a rich, multi-angled scan of the day’s political landscape, from the micro (Maine’s Senate campaign) to the macro (US-China deal, presidential capacity). The most impactful theme is how government dysfunction is intersecting with real American pain as the shutdown drags on—especially for the working poor and military families—and what political and legal reckonings swirl around President Biden’s legacy. Throughout, the hosts provide sharp, entertaining, and sometimes poignant discussion for political junkies of all stripes.

Transcript

[Mark]

This is it.

[Dan]

The world as you know it is over. Completely done.

[Sean]

It's not about to be over.

[Dan]

It's over.

[Sean]

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.

[Caller Mark]

There's a longer term existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings that, that are more intelligent than ourselves. We have no idea whether we can stay in control.

[Sean]

While others say that AI will usher.

[Mark]

In unfathomable abundance, I've always believed that.

[Sean]

It'S going to be the most important invention that humanity will ever make.

[Mark]

This really will be a world of abundance.

[Sean]

And among these fears and these fantasies, we seek the story of our future. Listen to the last invention on Apple.

[Mark]

Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dan]

Foreign.

[Mark]

Welcome to the morning meeting. Dan, Sean and I are happy to have you here to walk you through the events of the day in brisk order. And then, and then we'll take your questions. If you're here in the two way platform, please raise your hand. This program is based on the network News division's morning meetings where they gather the staff from all over the country and the world to run through the daybook and we'll do that very thing and then we'll ask you to not put smack in the chat. Dan and Sean both wearing nice clothes today from our friends at Fairway and Green, our sponsor. If you want to dress like for success like Dan and Sean, Easy go to Fair2Way TV Fairway. Use the promo code 2way20 for 20% off your full purchase price and you can get the quarter zips, the golf shirts, most comfortable boxers I've ever owned. All available to you. 20% off. Go to Two Way TV Fairway. You guys ever been to Japan? Yeah.

[Caller Mark]

No.

[Dan]

Would love to.

[Mark]

Yeah. So Sean, there's video of the President walking around with the Prime Minister that people on the left are saying he looks Bidenesque in, in, in how he sort of walking around. We, you can throw that up while we're talking about it. So does Nay no on a dame Disney. And, and the thing is that anybody, I don't care what age you are, the flight to Asia is just, you know, it's discombobulating. And now he's been there, he's already been at another stop. But Sean, do you look at this and say there's anything to it or, or not?

[Dan]

Well, that's not the video people are referring to, I believe.

[Mark]

No, it is. It is. I think it Is, it's the one, it's one I've seen all over social.

[Sean]

I mean, can I be honest? I, I get, I know you do too, Mark. Like you get the pool reports. I, I don't, I get tired reading what he's doing. So I don't care if you're 40 or 50 or 90. Like, the guy's on the move and he's been like, you can say what you want. So I, I don't know what, whether someone's referring to like his gate or whatever, but honest to God, I'm reading all the stuff that he's doing and just staying up that long. I, I didn't travel. I traveled an hour this week and I'm exhausted.

[Mark]

Dan, do you see, do you see any, if anything in that video that's an issue for you?

[Dan]

I don't necessarily see anything in that video, but I think we would all agree he, he is getting older. He is physically slightly slowing down. It is natural. Like, go back to the campaign, John. When he went to get on that dump truck, he struggled to grab it and he struggled to step again. Most 77 year olds who are slightly overweight, not slightly, but, you know, overweight don't move as fast. Like.

[Sean]

Yeah, I mean, I guess there's. Right. So I won't debate you on the fact, like, I, I wake up more challenged every day. So I get it right. We were joking about the marathon. Like, I've run too, but I couldn't watch a marathon. And so there's a big difference. There's no question. We all age and you see it physically. But I think, like, for anyone to insinuate that he's not up for the job, like I said, I'm not. This isn't.

[Dan]

Well, I think those are two different things.

[Sean]

I mean, that's what I want to make sure. We're saying we all get older.

[Mark]

We'll talk, we'll talk more about the trip in a moment and then we'll also talk about president.

[Dan]

I will say though, because we did Raz Harris all the time. Yeah, he tends to start his day pretty late now. I believe he's up tweeting and doing whatever the heck he, you know, he, but his day is not exactly often a kind of like 9am to, you know, he, he moves at his own pace, but we got to be fair.

[Mark]

He'S got to go, he's got to go to hair and makeup. It's not, it's not quite at Roddy McDowell level, but it's a lot of hair all right, a quick word from a sponsor and then we'll kick right into the daybook. And then again, love to get your questions and comments. So please raise your hand if you're here on the two way platform. One of our sponsors today is the good folks at lean. Go to takelean.com 20off the entire site using the promo code. Two way opportunity to lose weight without a fad diet or an injection. You don't want a yo yo diet. You don't want to wait the cycle. Lose and gain weight. Take Lean.com helps you lose weight effectively. It's an oral supplement, not a GLP one. Injectable. The science behind it, invented by doctors, allows you to maintain healthy blood sugar, control appetite and cravings, helps burn fat by converting it to energy. And of course, burning fat allows you to keep weight off. So lean can be part of a very effective regimen of diet and exercise. So if you want to lose meaningful weight at a healthy pace and keep it off, add lean to your diet and exercise lifestyle. Go to takelean.com use the promo code mark for 20% off your purchase. Go to takelean.com tell them my very big tummy sent you. All right, gentlemen, here's the daybook. The president is done with his day. Lyd been called in Tokyo, had a very active day there. We'll show you some of that in just a moment. But he'll continue on in Japan today after sleeping while we while we work here in the United States of America. He went to the. Well, let's do it now. He went to the USS Washington. He's getting along extremely well on his first interaction with the new prime minister. And here he is introducing her to the folks stationed on that carrier, President Trump and the Japanese prime Minister.

[Donald Trump]

This woman, this guy, this woman is a winner. So you know, we've become very close friends all of a sudden because their stock market today and our stock market today hit an all time high. That means we're doing something right. But the cherished alliance between the United States and Japan is one of the most remarkable relationships in the entire world. Really. There's never been anything like it. Born out of the ashes of a terrible war, our bond has grown over eight decades into the beautiful friendship that we have. It's a foundation of peace and security in the Pacific. You see it. So on behalf of all American sailors stationed in this beautiful country, let's hear it for our allies and the Japanese Self Defense Forces and all of the Japanese people that we love and respect. And I have such Respect for Japan and the country. Country. And now I have a really great respect for the new and incredible Prime Minister. And I have to say this, the first female prime minister in the history of Japan. Madam Prime Minister, please.

[Mark]

So in the late 70s, early 80s, 90s, the American presidents took to, and diplomats took to calling the relationship with the US And Japan the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Kind of leapfrogging over the Brits. The Japanese loved it because they loved being shown the respect of being. Saying they were half of the most important bilateral relationship. And we've had lots of US Presidents have very close relationships with Japanese Prime Ministers. Bush, Koizumi, Trump and Abe. But Sean, he looked that looked. I mean, you're more of a student than Trump than I am, but that looks super genuine.

[Sean]

Yeah, I mean, it looks. She played this beautifully. I mean, the way that she invoked his relationship with Abby. He gave.

[Mark]

She gave.

[Sean]

Gifted him one of his golf clubs.

[Mark]

They watched. They watched the series together.

[Sean]

Watched the series together, immediately nominated him for the Nobel Prize.

[Mark]

I mean, look, investment in the U.S.

[Sean]

Massive investment in the U.S. you know, in terms of Toyota, there's a rare earth minerals deal. I don't know how much Japan has, but it's not the point, I think.

[Mark]

I think the deal is to work. Work together to look for them.

[Sean]

So, so they, I mean, it was a, it was a really smart, diplomatic way to start the relationship. And, you know, but, but look, as you guys know, Trump can sour on somebody really quick, so. But I will give her an A for, for her first quarter between the leaders.

[Mark]

Here we go. Dan. She just. I'm a student of Japanese politics when I majored in college. The fact that they've got a female prime minister before we have a woman president is pretty stunning. And just, just looking at her, I mean, I've read about her. I didn't know about her before, but she seems to be extremely adept for, like, being a week into the job, standing on the national stage. Right.

[Dan]

Yeah. I mean, look, that, that was great to hear Trump say we have a special relationship with a key ally as we keep talking about China and the importance of trying to manage and mitigate the risk of China. We need Japan. Like, we should be allies. I think that's great. You know, kudos to Trump if this lasts. John, as you say, he could change, you know, by the end of the day today, but at least for now, that is. That is great news.

[Mark]

Yeah. And he said it to Korea. And again, we'll be at the Korea summit and meeting with XI on Thursday. With him continues to be Rubio, Hegseth, Greer Besant, all part of the delegation, Hagsath Lutnik, too many others and then Hexa at tonight, tomorrow Japan time. But tonight 9:15 is having a press conference with his counterpart, the Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Congress House remains out. House leadership on the Democratic side is having a one of those hearings, quote unquote at 9:00am right now Speaker Johnson's having his 10:00am press conference. The Senate's voting on more nominations party lunches today 1245. And the Republican lunch we'll have a special guest, JD Vance ostensibly there to talk about tariffs but the thought is he may well talk about the shutdown as well.

[Dan]

Well on the top tariffs, let's be clear because some Republicans are getting pretty frustrated. He's there to be like guys, yeah, got your mouths.

[Mark]

Yeah. Michael Knowles, the commentator, frequent guest on Next up, a great guy. And Chad Wolfe, the former acting Homeland Security secretary and a friend of Sean's I believe. Is that right? Neighbor? Neighbor and friend and friend. They're both testifying for Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and the House Democrat Caucus in full are having an in person meeting at 6 o'. Clock. So they're back in town even though Speaker Johnson says no need for you to be here. Fed starts today meeting. Expect a rate decision tomorrow. Rate cut tomorrow 1:30. Gavin Newsome press conference announcing more legal action against the Trump administration at 9:30 Eastern tonight, Kamala Harris appears at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

[Sean]

Her book, by the way, that rate cut that comes, I'll tell you, I mean I don't know how much the market's got baked in but if last time was any indicator and yesterday's stock market, I mean Trump could be just having a really good economic week in terms of like a, like a hot, a sugar high. Just in terms of the Japan news.

[Dan]

If they announce a China trade deal and it actually is real and has real teeth and real significance and a rate cut, the market, I would buy the market.

[Mark]

The market will go crazy on Friday. We were going to talk about the shutdown first but let's finish up on the economy. Here's the president at the other event he did besides the carrier, he spoke at a business event and here he is praising the economic quarterback of this administration. I would say maybe a more visible and effective quarterback in the less than a year than Joe Biden's treasury secretary was in four years. That'd be my objective view. Here's, here's the president in Tokyo talking about Scott Besson. What was her name? Janice. What's her name?

[Donald Trump]

So I just want to thank some of these people. Scott Bessett, you're doing Janet Yellen. I'm Secretary of Treasury.

[Mark]

Thank you, Scott.

[Donald Trump]

Great. How good is he on television? You know, he soothes the markets. I don't sue the market. I sometimes disturb the markets. He soothes the market. He goes, I said, scott, go in and clean it all up for me. Scott. And he goes in and he's very terrific. He's done a great job. And I'm thinking about him for the Fed. See, now the camera's going breaking news. But he won't take the job. He likes being treasury, so we're not thinking about him. Really. Oh yeah. But he's, we're very proud of the job you're doing.

[Mark]

All right. There's also some stories in the last couple of days.

[Dan]

By the way, can we just, I.

[Sean]

Just want to pause for one second because I should say, I mean we, we've been talking about this for months. I want him as treasury, as Fed. He'd be great as Fed. He says he doesn't want to, but we're thinking about him. So I'm not thinking about him.

[Mark]

I mean he's the, he's the backup.

[Dan]

Money on Scott Bessett right now.

[Mark]

I still don't think he'll do it.

[Sean]

But he'll bring me five candidates, I'll reject them all and then I'll say, Scott, do it and he'll do it. But we'll say that we do. I mean like this.

[Mark]

I think he's still going to want him at Treasury. So earnings, earnings.

[Dan]

Who dual hatted.

[Mark]

Oh no, the Senate won't go for it. Senate already knocked it down. I don't think that they, that's a bridge too far for them. I think we'll see. I think it's bridge stand up under.

[Sean]

The bridge in Alaska.

[Mark]

It's one of the few, it's one of the few things they'll stand up to him on. Earnings continue to be pretty good corporate earnings. But there's also reports have been a couple stories in the Wall Street Journal. Big huge layoffs at Amazon, right. At Amazon and then Chase, JP Morgan Chase and a few other big companies are saying they now believe they can grow without hiring. So hiring freeze but using efficiencies, including of course, AI to grow without hiring. And that's not, not great. So we continue to have pretty mixed picture. I agree with you guys. By the end of the week, assuming the China deal stays on track and there's a rate cut that the markets, all the everything will be an all time high. Dan, how are you feeling about the real economy, man?

[Dan]

Two different views. I agree with you. Like the corporate earnings have been very good so far this quarter. I actually think I saw 85% of the S&P 500 beat earnings, which was the first time, the highest number since 2021, kind of when we rocketed out of COVID that companies are doing well. There also seems to be potentially a white collar recession coming. In the past they've been blue collar recessions, manufacturing, other things. This AI may be causing a. And they've talked about this. I think the challenge for Trump is one, we keep talking about this, voters don't feel it. Two, and Trump was very good at hitting Biden on this. You run a risk always talking about the stock market as the indicator because one, not everyone's in it. And two, poll after poll shows that regular kind of workers, blue collar and lower level service workers don't feel very good right now. So it's a balance between trying to say, hey, things are pretty good. Look on the horizon like good times are coming and looking like you're cheerleading for the rich who are making more and more money in the market.

[Mark]

Yeah. Sean, how are you feeling about the real economy?

[Sean]

I feel pretty good. I mean, I think, you know, to Dan's point, your perspective changes depending on where you sit. How much money do you have invested? You have money in real estate, you own your own property. I think if you're a younger American that hasn't been able to achieve home ownership, it's probably a little frustrating. You're watching where, you know, these interest rate hikes are important for that. But I think generally when you're out talking to people, whether you know, Uber drivers or waiters and waitresses or whatever, I mean, I think some people are struggling a little. I think that the, the shutdown is definitely kind of adding an. I drove by down the street the other day yesterday and there were, there was a line of people getting food at a food pantry. And like that's, that's not a normal site. So I know that the current construct is very challenging for a lot of Americans. And so the question is, is that a short term thing that's specifically related to the shutdown or is there something longer term happening?

[Dan]

Well, and I also, the Journal has been following this. You know, you keep reading these stories about Iowa, about the farm industry is decimated. You've had several Republican senators begin to say the tariffs need to wrap up. Like, whatever your end game is, get to it now. Because whether it's ranchers in Montana or in the Dakotas or in Iowa, and you're also not just hearing about farmer farmers, but like the equipment they purchase, tariffs is getting passed through. It's getting more expensive to buy. So again, those are red states. The Journal's doing a great job kind of quietly documenting it, but you can feel steam in the kettle building. And the question is, can Trump get out of this fast enough and put points on the board for the middle of the country?

[Mark]

Yeah. Again, raise your hand if you want to get in the conversation. Summit on Thursday, another news cycle where all systems go. No, there's no hedging from the Chinese side or the American side. Deals on track. The President and the Premier will codify. It seems very positive. There's also more talk, as we've talked about here for a long time, about the prospect that, that there'll be some sort of, you know, dirty quid pro quo on Taiwan and Ukraine, that China will get more control or something rhetorical, at least on Taiwan in exchange for helping in the war. I don't know that that's going to happen, but it's certainly being chattered about quite a bit. Sean, how's the White House stage managing this in the sense of how do they exceed expectations that because Scott basically Bessant basically announced the deal. So is there, is there going to just be ceremony that will codify it or you think they've got something up their sleeve? Well, there'll be more to the deal even than was already advertised.

[Sean]

I think the, I mean, on soybeans, the amount and the duration of the deal matters, he said for years to come. So is that two? Is that five? I mean, look, we all know that reality is proof will be in the pudding. But, but I think it'll make a big difference if in the agricultural community, if you say like, hey, we got a 10 year deal where they'll buy X amount of soybeans for that. That's a, that would be huge. I do think there's gotta be something else that they're quietly working on because again, Bassett understands the game a lot, which is you, you gotta give, you gotta leave something for the principal to announce. The Chinese have been kind of quiet on this, which. So I, I don't know, either you're trying to calm markets early or you've got something else up your sleeve. But I think so far, even if they just Announced the deals on soybeans, rare earth, and a couple things. It's still a big deal for the president to finalize and announce.

[Mark]

Dan, thoughts on the deal?

[Dan]

I mean, I continue to go to what we talked, what I said earlier in the week, which is, if that's the deal, it kind of feels like you're back to where you were at the start of all of this. Because remember, the big push initially was whole point of Liberation Day was or not. One of the points was reshoring, decoupling from China. Now what you're hearing is almost, it's like greater market access, port, port access that they'll be able to buy our chips, but we'll be able to get rare earths, fentanyl. Great. That's a real crisis. And that's not insignificant. But what you're not hearing is the idea, like you don't hear best in talk about reshoring at all.

[Mark]

Yeah.

[Dan]

And that has kind of moved off. So again, like, we started all of this, and that's kind of where we're back to.

[Mark]

Yeah, it's a great point that may have just been playful. Leverage shutdown. We didn't talk about it in the top. The government employees union said yesterday, basically endorsed the Republican route, which is endless. Now, as some Democrats have pointed out, that's been their position all along. They just put out a press release about it. They didn't slam the Democrats. But you, you do hear in the voices of some Democratic senators, particularly Dick Durbin, but some others as well. Here's the headline from the New York Times. Top Federal Workers Union Breaks with Democrats on Shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees in a shift. I don't know that it's really a shift, but called on Congress to immediately reopen the government without the health care measures sought by Democratic lawmakers. Some believe that at the Democratic lunch today, there may be more pressure. And a few people like Warner and others have said, well, see what happens. But there was certainly not an immediate change. Here's my question, Dan. If you're, if you're Schumer's chief of staff, let's say they decide, yeah, we got to give up. You know, we'll get as much as we can in terms of a promise on a health care vote, but we have to give up. What do you do? Do you call Thune, do you call the White House? Like, how did, how does Schumer wave the white flag to minimize damage?

[Dan]

It's a great question because we keep talking about how does Schumer personally come out of this. One option is you, you bless and release the moderates to say, go start talking to them. I'm not going to be out. I'm going to, I'm the leader. I'm going to maintain our position, but you have my blessing. Now the question is, will he provide them cover when the base says, gosh darn it, Elise Slotkin's gone wobbly? I'm just using her as a for instance. But we keep talking about this and Steve Elmendorf had the great expression comfortable versus uncomfortable. Democrats are starting to get uncomfortable, not just the unions. I keep saying that these stories of SNAP benefits. Now the party's like, well, Trump can do something about it. You have to do something. And they're like, I remember Republicans would say this right? When they would do shut shutdowns, do Social Security, like answer the phones, that kind of stuff. And we're like, got to reopen the whole government, guys.

[Mark]

Sean, the first step has to be what gets eight Democratic votes, right? That's the first step in getting this shut down over is something has to pass the Senate and, and, and, and maybe that, I mean that has to be because Johnson won't bring the House back. That has to be the House clean cr. But then there's a deal amongst those eight that has to be blessed by, amongst some number of Democratic senators, Republicans that has to be blessed by Schumer and Thune. Then it has to be blessed by Johnson and the White House. Right? The deal doesn't, there's no deal unless everybody's in for it, right?

[Dan]

Well, there's no, Sorry, Sergeant.

[Mark]

So, so my question is, how does that, how does that happen? Does it, does the Senate gang make the deal, Schumer and Thune blessed, then Thune calls Johnson in the White House. Like, how does, how does that get done? Because, because I've always been a, someone who warns just because you read a headline saying a Senate gang has a deal doesn't mean there's enough votes to pass it.

[Sean]

That's the, that probably is the lowest degree of probability. I'll go back to what I said.

[Dan]

The other day, though.

[Sean]

The easy part is this. I mean, we'll, we'll agree three month, I mean a three week reopen. We'll give you, you're guaranteed a vote within, you know, five hours. I mean, who cares? Thune calls Johnson and says that. But what, what's the vote? I mean, this is, again, goes back to like, this isn't a negotiation of a number. I want two, you want ten. Let's settle on five and a half. The, the problem fundamentally is that Johnson's gonna go vote on white and you go, okay, we want to extend the ACA subsidies. Okay, great, we'll give that to him. It will fail. And then what? And that's the.

[Dan]

I don't think it would fail. You know, I think, I think, I think 5 would break.

[Sean]

For how long? Again, this gets back to my devil in the details. What's the vote? It's not. No Republican will vote for a straight up extension. Not one for a straight up extension of subsidies. No way.

[Dan]

Yeah. Don't put immigration stuff on three months.

[Sean]

But there's no way that. So what is it that you're voting on? And that's where it goes back to your question you're asking Mark is it's not just the procedural parts. Quasi easy. I can get that where eight of them or whatever make a deal. Schumer calls Thune says hey, these guys are good to negotiate. They do. They. He calls Johnson and then Johnson gonna say what's the vote Right. Do you want? And he's gonna say, well, six months. No way. My house. There's no. These five guys won't go for it. And I don't know that every Democrat would buy off on a three month extension of probably most, but not every. I mean I just, I think that this is where what is missing in this discussion writ large of the government shutdown is what's next. Because I can easily solve the reopen government problem, but I can't figure out how you get Republicans to agree to any extension of subsidies. And again that's. You could titrate them down so it's 200% of them for six months and then we do this. But there's a fundamental problem with the foundation of Obamacare that needs to get fixed.

[Mark]

Yeah, I totally agree with the way you framed it. It's all very complex. It's more complex than just getting eight Democratic senators to say we're, we're, we're up in the government.

[Dan]

I actually think it won't be complex. I think they'll do an extension with a provision on immigration on immigrants because it'd be good for Democrats to vote for that and show some like, yeah, we're kind of with it and I think they'll put some sort of cap on it and it'll be till next December.

[Mark]

Yeah. Okay. For those Democrats who think Biden and Harris and their whole posse should exit the page, you're not getting your way. As I said, Kamal Harris continues her book tour. Here's a story from Politico. The House investigation into Joe Biden's decline and how that was handled has issued at least a first report. I don't know what it says about the use of the auto pen, but the investigation to his mental decline says this based on interviews, including with the second Biden, White House chief of staff Jeffrey Jeffrey Zients. It says among the highlights of Comer's report, a gentleman from Kentucky who chaired the committee, is that Zients told the committee that Biden had been informed of his suggestion that he should consider dropping out of the presidential race. And Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, thought Biden should drop out after the June debate. In addition, Science disclosed that Hunter Biden took part in some White House discussions around pardons. All right, that's a separate issue. So there's elsewhere in the article. It says there were about six people, including the commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island's favorite daughter, along with Sean, their favorite son, that other people thought he should get out. Not entirely clear from the story if it's before the debate, but certainly after the debate. And then the other Biden era thing that people are talking about is Green Jean Jean Pierre's book tour where she's done some very tough, rough interviews with people on the left who are kind of confused about why she left the Democratic Party and why she's continued to say Biden had no cognitive decline. Here's the New Yorker interview that people are talking about, why Biden's White House press secretary is leaving the Democratic Party. King J. Pierre feels the Democrats were so mean to Biden that she's becoming an independent. And again, one of the themes of criticism is this isn't a principled reason to leave the party because you thought people were mean to your boss. Dan, if you were Ron Brown, like you were super powerful, influential DNC chair and you, and you got all you got Biden, Harrison Green, John Pierre in a room and wanted to tell them what they should do. What would you tell them to do?

[Dan]

Look forward. Talk about how the party can, where it should go and what should be the foundation of their kind of substantive argument going forward. Like pick a topic and own it, make it your legacy the way Carter did, kind of humanitarian issues or something. Because this is all backwards looking. This is score settling. I think we still have the Biden book coming out like, oh, by the way, that and he'll have a book tour and the whole nine yards. And so yeah, it, it, we're not is not the last of it. And of course they're all bitter. They're all bitter and angry and trying to, you know, get even.

[Mark]

Sean, isn't, isn't, isn't there a fraternity of former White House press secretaries have required whose code requires you to call this lady and tell her to think anew? Like, aren't you responsible for your, your fraternity?

[Sean]

I think that, that, that that association was blown up by Jen Psaki. And, and I, I mean there was, I mean I actually, it was Mike McCurry's birthday yesterday. I was texting with him, wishing him a happy birthday. And there's a lot of us that have always viewed the club that we belong to as a very special place. I think it disintegrated under the Biden administration in terms of just the collegiality that existed prior to that. I actually agree with Dan to some extent. I will be say this. I don't think Biden could go on a book stop, never mind a book tour. I just can't imagine. And I also, with all due respect, I don't believe that anyone will think he wrote it. And so I just don't, I don't put a lot of stock into what's going to happen. I, and, and then, but I overall agree with the strategy. It's too much score settling and people don't want to hear it. It's very backwards looking. I think Corinne strategically has done herself a lot of damage because she is now on an island. No one wants her. And to the extent she's, she's a rather young woman that needs, that, you know, needs a livelihood going forward. So I don't know if she goes into academia or something, but, but I don't know what, what job she has left to potentially consider because it seems like she's pissed everybody else off. Regardless of her qualifications, which weren't too much to begin with, I think she's now really alienated herself among what would be your natural group of allies.

[Dan]

Well, and her argument somewhat nonsensical. I mean that's, she's clearly trying to be like the loyal soldier and stick by Biden, but everyone else has kind of pulled the curtain back and stated the obvious. So if she wrote this first, like, okay, maybe people at the time would have been like, well, no one else has said anything else. And you know, we all have our own opinions a little, but she's coming after so many people have said, right, he was struggling. Even Biden aides with the right hands raised to come out, you just look foolish.

[Mark]

I'll just say in terms of this continuing, of the prospect of continuing. Remember, Zionist didn't take the Fifth. And what he said is pretty significant. I think we're all kind of a nerd to it to some extent. But his, his listing the people who thought Biden should drop out, that means there was a debate within it. And the story also quotes the two biggest loyalists, Tom Donlan. No, Mike Donlin. Sorry, Mike Donlin. And Ruschetti, as saying, oh, the president just had a couple bad lines in the debate or bad style in the debate. He was awesome. So here's my point is there's more coming potentially, because now that people are starting to talk, there's more coming. And there would be stories to tell. As I've reported before, there are stories to tell about the vice president. There's stories to tell about the president that have still not been told. And, and this, to me, the danger besides that it keeps it going is that, is that this stuff could, could perpetuate and be a real distraction because if you're running in 28, we still haven't, we still haven't seen any 28 candidate actually come clean on this.

[Sean]

And the other thing that we kind of just glossed over is the report itself. I will be interested to see if there's any legal issues the DOJ takes up. I don't think so, but I think that's the, that's what the House GOP Committee is basically saying at its essence is these executive orders aren't valid.

[Mark]

Yeah.

[Sean]

And I think that there's a constitutional issue that's going to have to get answered whether or not DOJ takes it forward or not.

[Dan]

We'll see.

[Sean]

But I think there's a bigger legal.

[Dan]

Well, and that goes to the issue of not whether he should have dropped out, but I think there were people who might have had conversations about whether he should have stepped down.

[Mark]

Correct.

[Dan]

That's, that's the much bigger issue because that's a functioning history.

[Mark]

History will not look kindly on this. Raise your hand if you've never raised your hand before and you want to be in on the conversation. Two more quick issues. Platner in Maine. Okay. A new poll we saw, we showed you a poll last week that showed him way ahead in the Democratic primary. There was a new poll showing him actually a little bit behind. I the swing couldn't have been that big. He had another resignation from his staff. There's more on the way. Everybody keeps saying, but last night he did like a town hall meeting in a town in Maine that I've never heard of, nor can I pronounce, I don't think. Here's a couple pictures from the town hall that he had last night. Maine, you know, not that populous estate, 700 people. How do you pronounce the name of that town, Sean demar? Escada. I don't even know where that is. How far? Someone Google map that for me. How far is that? How far is that from Portland or from Augusta or. Or Bangor? 700 people. And Platner tweeted out the photo and said, if the establishment thought they could push me out of this race, then they've never met. It should say, never met a Marine. It says they've never meet a Marine. And here's another photo so you can just see how big that crate is again, 700 people in Maine. Like I'm telling you, in the history of Maine, there haven't been that many events with 700 political events with 700 people there. You see, it's in a gym with that great basket there. Anyway, just quick question, guys. Is Platinum's campaign stable, rising or falling right now? Those are your choices. Stable, rising or falling?

[Dan]

Dan, just quickly. It's. That town's between Bangor and Portland. I'm just.

[Mark]

How far. How far from Portland is it?

[Dan]

I didn't. I didn't.

[Sean]

I was listening to about an hour.

[Caller Mark]

Yeah.

[Mark]

Wouldn't start from here. So. Stable, rising or falling?

[Dan]

Give me a few more town halls. He may be rising.

[Mark]

Yeah. 700 people.

[Sean]

Sean, if he was a Democratic stock, I'd buy it.

[Mark]

Yeah, I think he's rising, too. And this will be the subject of my reported monologue because I talked to some main as last night on Next up later today.

[Sean]

Lastly, by the way, I caveated it for that reason, though, I think he's a rising stock in the Democratic primary. Yeah, I think once he goes to the general, he's with Boater's dream.

[Dan]

Maybe. I don't know. Because, you know what? Between Mandani and him, you know the arguments you're hearing, what you just made. You sound like Democrats talking about Trump.

[Mark]

Exactly.

[Dan]

Like, just wait.

[Mark]

This is. This is. This is my. This is my monologue.

[Dan]

I'm sorry.

[Mark]

Don't go too far on that. No, no, no, that's all good.

[Sean]

It's all good. I agree with you, Daniel.

[Mark]

But if he. If he.

[Dan]

Exactly.

[Mark]

Yeah. But if he handles. If he handles the narrative of the victory, of a primary victory and he sails into the general, she's vulnerable. I'm not saying he's the favorite. But I really do believe Dan's right that, that he would leverage the primary win into a narrative about recovery and come back on.

[Dan]

I would also say this. Spanberger and Cheryl have, have turnout problems and energy problems. Mandani and Planter have no such energy problems. Now we'll see if they win, right?

[Sean]

I guess, I guess my only issue is, look, I will say the one smart thing this guy's doing, I don't is he's leaning into like Maine too. And a good chunk of Maine is NASCAR country. I mean, like, he gets that. He dresses the part, he sounds the part. And so, yeah, all right.

[Mark]

He's an interesting candidate to say the least. A couple things about Tuesday's races. First, New York Times reports that the Democratic Senate gubernatorial candidates, Cheryl and Spanberger are going to host a joint online event. I don't know, is this to raise money? It's just a, it's just a kind of a get out the vote event. This is tomorrow. They will appear together hoping to generalize Democratic campaign volunteers and voters, says the New York Times. That's interesting. And then in the New York City mayors race, I'll just say this. The reason everybody says the race is over is because of polls. No one who's saying the race is over has access to private, you know, turn out the vote data or, or early, you know, there's not enough early vote yet. Like it's all based on and, and, and the betting markets which are based on the polls. That's it. So if you assume the polls can be wrong, you shouldn't be saying the race is over necessarily. And stuff has continues to happen. Yesterday Mondame got caught in a lie that got a fair amount of attention. And here's the wood of the New York Post113 One week to save New York. Every vote counts to stop socialist takeover. Cuomo cuts Madame's lead. There's a new public poll that chose to lead down to 10. And then there's the story about him allegedly lying about his aunt who wasn't his aunt. So let's do quick, quick from both of you on, on all three races. Dan already mentioned Democrats are worried about turnout. Sean, any, any thoughts you have on, on New Jersey and then Virginia?

[Sean]

I've kind of switched my priority. I mean I look one I think Citarelli's got a big is surging a little in New Jersey. I think the Dems are concerned in Virginia. I feel like this, the last eight days here are going to be critical in Terms of turnout, the vote, I think it's within striking distance. Miaris is pretty good shape, but it's going to be tough. It's all going to be about get out the vote. And I think I'm with you on this. What scares me is the record turnout. And the one thing that I'll tell you is that having been on the inside before, no one's talking. I mean, Mondame yesterday was talking a little bit more hesitantly about his turnout operations. And we're, we're gonna, it's just, it didn't have that same, it didn't evoke the same level of confidence. And that says to me, as a guy, like, you're a little worried about what you're getting back on the data.

[Mark]

Totally agree, Dan.

[Dan]

Yeah, I, I, I, I again, I am watching to see what dials they might start turning in public, because that would tell you that they sense they need to stoke the base, remind them of why this is important. Do you start seeing more surrogates? Does he start doing more interviews here and not just with the positive? Does he try to start contrasting a little bit harder to remind you?

[Mark]

Sorry, go ahead. I'm just going to say, as best I can tell, he's not spent much on negative messaging on Cuomo, and there's plenty to message there, so that'll be a tell. If they changed up their traffic today or tomorrow and start running negative on Cuomo.

[Sean]

The one thing that I've got just to make sure everyone understands this, like, the hardest part about a race like this is that you cannot model, right? You have a Democrat, a Republican, and then another Democrat. I mean, like, in a normal race, you could look at the data of the voter profile and say, okay, that's an Independent, but they have a long history of voting Democrat. Okay, but right now, what does that mean? Does that mean you vote for Cuomo, or does that mean you vote for the. I mean, like, this is not there. I don't think there's a model that anybody has.

[Mark]

A small, small and medium turnout benefits Mandami. Massive turnout getting close to 2 million benefits Cuomo. And the early numbers suggest we could be headed towards massive turnout. So, like I said, don't bet against Mandami if you're going to lad Brooks, but don't. Don't declare the race over because of polls, that is. Sean.

[Dan]

Concerned.

[Mark]

Yeah, be concerned. All right, quick word from another new sponsor and then your questions again. If you've never raised your hand on the program before, we'd love to have you A new sponsor is folks at Poncho Outdoors. Poncho Outdoors got you covered. Classics like denim and flannels, new styles like the western polo and the tough thread. Their clothes are comfortable, durable and versatile for whatever the season brings. And I can vouch for that because I've been wearing them around now as it's gotten colder here. They're good weight. They're comfortable all day and you can get them right now. Go to Poncho outdoor slash.

[Dan]

Mark.

[Mark]

10% off your first order, free shipping. Go to Poncho Outdoors. Mark. They these are clothes that are again, look good and are comfortable. They're great for every day. But you can put them on with something a little bit nicer and on the, on around it and that'll be great. Wrinkle resistant collars with comfortable stretch material. Works just as well after work as it does in the field. And Dan's constantly in the field. And I'm saying to Daniel, Dan, get out of the field. Put on your, put on your western polo.

[Dan]

They want to meet me at the finish line of the marathon. I'll put their poncho on, walk home in it. That'll be good. I'll model it again.

[Mark]

These are great, comfortable clothes, great looking. Go look at them at the website. You'll see what I'm talking about. Ponchooutdoors.com Mark for 10% off your first order and free shipping, tell them Dan's marathon exhausted body sent you. All right, here we go. Mark, welcome in. I like that thing behind you. I want that explains the sci fi world.

[Sean]

Is that the Obama library?

[Mark]

I don't know what that is.

[Caller Mark]

None of you know what that is.

[Sean]

Obama library.

[Mark]

None of us know. Mark.

[Caller Mark]

Burning Man. This is the actual Burning man figure.

[Mark]

Oh, okay. Yeah. Now it all comes back to me. Mark, welcome in. Thank you for joining.

[Dan]

Mark doesn't remember when he was there.

[Mark]

What's on your head?

[Caller Mark]

That's an assumption. Well, first I'd like to say longtime caller for first listener viewer because I've talked radio fan from the 90s. I've been on Rush six times and Hugh Hewitt to this day knows me as Mark in Mid Wilshire.

[Mark]

All right, welcome in. We're happy to have you here.

[Caller Mark]

So I'm from Cazenovia, New York, as you say. I used to say upstate, but New Yorkers, if you're north of Yonkers, that's upstate. So it's, it's central New York. It's a bedroom community outside of Syracuse.

[Mark]

Okay.

[Caller Mark]

And have you been to Burning Man, 13 times plus.

[Mark]

Why? Why so? Why so few?

[Caller Mark]

13? Well, it only started in the early 90s, so there's like 20. And I also been virtually when they didn't have it in Covid and. Yeah. Okay, well, we can talk about Burton another time.

[Mark]

Yeah, welcome. And we're happy to have you here. How'd you find two way?

[Caller Mark]

I've been listening to the podcast. I heard you, Mark, first on Megan Kelly and then I liked you on her show. I turned into your podcast and then I found the three of you and great to hear some actual by. This reminds me of the classic days of media when you had Sam Donaldson, George Will and David Brinkley. I think that's very, very flattering.

[Dan]

Great company right there.

[Mark]

Yeah. What's on your mind, sir?

[Caller Mark]

Well, I'd like to talk about the White House ballroom. And in the two way tradition, this is some back and forth. So I figured there's three positions on the ballroom. Yes. And I believe that, and I have many reasons for that. But now I'd like to address why people don't believe it. So, no, I have a bunch of reasons. And then maybe in the future, but not now. So then I'd ask the follow up question, well, when, how long should it be? In the future?

[Mark]

Yeah.

[Caller Mark]

Could actually build one.

[Mark]

Yeah.

[Caller Mark]

Now, next is the cost. So people are complaining about the cost. $350 million. Well, I'd like to go with a follow up question. So what is the maximum you think that you could spend that wouldn't piss you off, Right? Or what's the minimum do you think, to build a structure that size? If you know anything about.

[Mark]

Yes, sir, these are all good questions.

[Caller Mark]

Size. So 90,000, is that too big? What's the maximum size you would think a ballroom could be?

[Mark]

Mark, Mark, I say with affection and inquisitiveness, how far through your presentation are we?

[Caller Mark]

Just a little bit.

[Mark]

I got percentage wise.

[Caller Mark]

Please, please continue the functions of the east wing. So what I've heard, it's the first lady's office, the entrance, and then the.

[Mark]

Calligraphy and the movie theater on the movie theater and the bunk and the bunker. And the bunker underneath.

[Caller Mark]

Yeah, yeah. That's one of the other things is nobody's talked about the eoc. If they remove the ballroom, will that give them the opportunity to upgrade the EOC with fiber optics?

[Mark]

Yes. Yeah, they're gonna put, they're gonna put DIRECTV down there.

[Caller Mark]

Yeah. I haven't heard them mentioned. All right, so the best builder of the ballroom, would that be Coolidge? Who's an engineer. Carner, a peanut farmer. Clinton, we know what he did in the White House. Or Trump, who's actually a builder.

[Mark]

All right, Mark, thank you for that presentation. I loved every minute of it.

[Caller Mark]

I want to hear the last two questions only.

[Mark]

Only if you can do them in under 15 seconds.

[Caller Mark]

People's house. Clarice Hillary says it's the People's House. Does that include her? Does that include Trump? Does that include maga? Does that include the Russian, the Chinese, or illegally?

[Mark]

Seven, six.

[Caller Mark]

All done.

[Mark]

Okay. Thank you for that, Sean. Thoughts on Mark's presentation?

[Sean]

I have eight responses, and I'm gonna go look. I, I agree. I, I think as we've talked about before, even the Washington Post recognized the, the need for this. It's, it's gonna, I think when all is said and done, I think people will forget their opposition to it. We'll be talking about using it and utilizing it for massive events. And as soon as Trump leaves, it'll be seen as a great addition to the White House. They just, they're upset that he's the guy doing it.

[Dan]

I think I've said this repeatedly. I do think a ballroom is needed. The tents were really not very practical, if you've ever been in them.

[Nicole]

I'm a three time Trump voter.

[Dan]

Okay. And what is your perception of the economy where you are in your field?

[Nicole]

I am pinching pennies. My gas is cheap. Groceries are expensive. I am looking out at Christmas already knowing that it's going to be sketchy.

[Dan]

And are you, is your patience still there with the president, that this will work out, or are you beginning to get anxious for what he's doing?

[Nicole]

I'm, I'm super maga, to be honest. I, I am like our other friend who is a parent that will tolerate a little bit of pain and inconvenience for a long term benefit to my family. My, my family is in construction and manufacturing and truck driving and all of these things that I feel Trump is trying to make changes to benefit. And so we've already been suffering. I'm used to this now. And so I am grateful to fill up my car for $30 at the gas tank and I'll take that extra 20 bucks and throw it into the grocery budget and do what I have to do to make it work. You know, I think that I am MAGA in the way that I also believe that American dominance is really important for the long term, you know, hegemony of what I want my son to be able to grow up in. And I think that there is really good long term tact and strategy behind making some of these trade agreements with some of these other countries that we can have mutually beneficial rare earth agreements and, you know, mining and things like this. That I really, I think Trump is so tactful with the way that he uses trade as negotiation. And I really, I appreciate that in him a lot.

[Mark]

Nicole, the President called you and said, what should I be doing differently or better on the economy? What would you tell him?

[Nicole]

I would tell him that he needs to fund snap. I would tell him that when I'm a military spouse and when the 15 came around and we didn't have to worry about our check, that made a world of difference. And the first is coming and there are people that need food and it's so dumb to make this a political play when there are people that listen, the winner on this, in this situation is the one that comes to the table and says, hey, I can't give you a trillion dollars, but let's negotiate towards 500 billion towards worth of what you want. Because the American people that will go hungry matter more than what I'm trying to get out of you. I really think that you, whoever gets SNAP funded first or whoever comes to the table first and shows wait, Americans actually do matter to us. Those, that's the party that wins. This is. Nobody wins when 40 million Americans are hungry. Nobody wins when, when military families are wondering how we pay our mortgage. Nobody wins. And if you're going to be up there and you're going to be our politicians and you're going to tell us that you're the one standing up for what our needs are, you're full of it. If you can't get us paid and you can't get people fed, you're full of it.

[Mark]

Thank you for saying that. You speak for tens of millions. I know. Do you think the President has got the primary responsibility for fixing this or Congress or both?

[Nicole]

I think that, I think, I think the Democrats are responsible. I think that the rescissions and the Medicare cuts that were made were, We've already dealt with them. These ACA tax credits were set to expire since the Inflation reduction act in 2022. We knew this was coming. Nobody did anything about it. It's not a negotiation tactic. It's not a ploy. If you wanted to do something about it, we've got until December. People are going to starve if you don't. I don't care, Sean.

[Dan]

It's very powerful.

[Sean]

I appreciate you sharing your story because I think you know When Mark says you speak for tens of millions, like we literally have 42 million Americans on SNAP. So.

[Dan]

The real lives are real people. Yep.

[Nicole]

Yeah, for real. And I, I just coming from again I'm in Tennessee. There's a lot of people in my area that rely on these benefits. There's a lot of families that it's not just this blood sucking welfare sect, it's people that like don't make it. I mean the income caps on some of these benefits are actually kind of high like when you look at it. And so it's like the people that are actually getting these benefits need it. And I, regardless of whether I am a Republican or a Democrat, nobody starves if it comes to me. And this is what I'll say to all Americans if it comes down to it. And you have a local church or a local food bank and you have a couple cans that you can offer, go drop off that food to the food bank. Go volunteer an hour of your time. We can't just sit here and be miserable and be mad about what the government isn't doing if we're not going to stand up as Americans and go make a mistake, make a difference where we can.

[Mark]

Thank you, Nicole. Grateful to you.

[Nicole]

Love you guys.

[Dan]

Thank you.

[Mark]

Please come back.

[Dan]

All said as well, we talk about a comfortable or uncomfortable. She speaks for a lot of people.

[Mark]

This is, this is, this is why, this is why I flipped in the last day for thinking that this thing's ending because I keep hearing from, from people who can't make their student loan payments, people who, who don't have food, people who are worried about their mortgage and their rent. It just, there's just too many people who, who are endangered right now.

[Dan]

So you think it does end sooner or it doesn't end?

[Mark]

No, I, I do, I, I, I, I, I had thought, I thought 36 hours ago it was going to go to the end of the year and I think it's gonna, I now think it's gonna end very soon because, because the, there's just too many people who are dealing with a lot of pain already and yeah, I just heard a pair so powerful testimony to that. Ryan, welcome in. Thank you for joining. Tell Unmute, tell folks who don't know where you are what's on your mind for Sean and Dan.

[Ryan]

Yeah, thanks for calling on me. I am from Citrus County, Florida and I've got a question for Dan and a question for Sean. Starting off with Dan. So Dan, as you know, the registration numbers for Democrats nationwide doesn't really matter. The state kind of going in the wrong direction.

[Dan]

Totally.

[Ryan]

I would say the key state out of all these is Pennsylvania. Without Pennsylvania, Democrats have a really hard time winning 2028. Are there Democrat organizations working on the registration in Pennsylvania right now? And if so, you know who's doing good work there.

[Dan]

So there's lots of people working on registration. The problem is you. It's not just a question of knocking on the door. It's what you say, what you represent and do. People want to associate with your brand. I mean, that's ultimately what party registration is about. Right. I'm proud to be a Democrat or Republican or their values speak to me. Trump continues to make inroads into blue America. Democrats continue to get further away from red America. That is, I wouldn't just say Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Right. Which used to be not just like a, you know, part of the, the foundation of the party. And even in New York, the numbers are going like this. People are saying, I want to be not just an independent, I want to be a Republican. So it's a much bigger problem for the party than just a question of like, we're lazy and we're not knocking on your door.

[Sean]

I think that, that Dan's right. I mean, the problem that they have culturally is that a lot of the people like you look at a union worker in Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, these are people who are God fearing, gun owning, you know, Americans, patriotic Americans, who they're told, well, you got to use your pronouns. You got, I mean, and you, you disconnect yourself with the relationship that you've built over years and decades of people who are institutional Democrats because their father, their mother was a Democrat and their grandfather and their grandmother were Democrats. I, I don't know how you build that back in. And that's going to be a problem because you're right, the registration numbers in almost, I think it's literally 49 of 50 states.

[Ryan]

Yeah, Sean, and then question for you. Jack citarelli ran in 2021. He got, you know, within a hair's breath of winning. There was a lot of, you know, recriminations after the fact of, oh, the, the party, the Republican Party didn't support him. That's why he lost. If only the Republican Party, you know, went all in on him in 2021, he could have won. Are we going to have that same, those same recriminations this time around? Is the Republican Party supporting Jackson rally sufficiently, in your view, for him to win, or is there going to be an excuse of the Republicans didn't really.

[Sean]

Help you know, it's funny, there's that, what's that old saying like victory has a thousand kings and losing.

[Dan]

Yeah, A thousand fathers and yeah, yeah.

[Sean]

Look, if he wins, everyone's gonna say it was brilliant that the RGA went in and did all this ground stuff and they did this stuff and if he loses, they're gonna point a ton of fingers. That's just natural of what happens. Can you ever spend enough? Look, I, I having been in the building, but in all of them, I've worked senatorial committee, the NRCC and the RNC. 90% of these decisions, there's some personality things every once in a while, but 90% of them are data driven. Come in, you look at the numbers and you say, hey, we're outside the marginal era. We're trending in the wrong way. We're not throwing good money after bad. The RGA came back in, in Virginia, dumped another 3 million in the other day. But they're not going to just throw money away because if they don't see a path forward. And sometimes you're wrong. I mean, it's like a weather forecast. Sometimes the front's coming in and you say it's going to rain and then it moves the last second because of the European model. I mean, I'm just made that up. But you get what I'm saying that like I, I, there'll be recriminations either way. It's, and, and it, look, if it got really close, then they're going to get really bad. So if you lose after five, people will say, you know, let's say that hypothetically it went the complete other way. They'll say, why did you spend millions of dollars on a race we couldn't win? So that's just how it goes.

[Mark]

Right? Thank you, Ryan. Ryan, thank you. As you all know, I don't read the chat. I do glance at it. I also don't read my mentions on X ever. I do glance at them. Here's one very nice one from a member of our community really inspired by Nicole on two Way and her story. She's inspired me to go to the grocery store and pick up groceries and drop it off at my local food bank. Thank you, Mark, Dan and Sean for having real American voices on your show. This is one of the, this is one of the points of two Way to create an authentic community around the country of people who can act in concerted ways. Student body, right. So I'd urge everybody to do the same thing. And you don't need to go to the store physically. If you don't have time, you can go online, find a food bank to help. But let's all be part of getting through this. If government can't solve it in the short term, let's all be part of that. I've already done it, but I'm going to do it again today and I'd urge everybody on here to do it. And Nicole, thank you for your inspiration. Sean, what do you have tonight?

[Sean]

Well, between that House report and the government funding, I'm going to break it all down tonight with Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson. So we'll find out.

[Mark]

Ron. John. John.

[Sean]

What that path is forward and what we're doing about Biden, too, because he heads the subcommittee on investigation.

[Mark]

So. Yeah. Okay. Dan, anything you want to share?

[Dan]

No, no. I'm just taking my son back to school post knee surgery. So fingers crossed that he is okay on his own.

[Mark]

Good luck with that. Are you training today?

[Dan]

I went out this morning. Nice 38 degree morning. The grandstands are up by you, Mark. Getting excited.

[Mark]

They're going to take my city bike rack away pretty soon, which is the downside of the marathon for me. Okay. Two Way tonight, three great guests. Rob Stutzman, Republican strategist from California. Hi Momore, former DNC executive and a really bright guy who's on regularly. And then our friend David Burrell's on. He's just done a great survey on what Americans think about AI. So all three of them will join on two way tonight, six Eastern. Moynihan reported. 7 Michael's guest is our friend and colleague Bridget Fedesy. Join them at seven o'. Clock. And then, and then again, I'll say if you want to, if you want to be an investor in this business, you can send us an email at invest.2a@2a tv. Thank you for all your inquiries. I apologize we're not getting back to you because there's not time yet. We're not ready to start the series. So we have your names. Don't worry. We'll be in touch when we're ready. But please, we're touched and overwhelmed by how many of you are interested in becoming potentially becoming investors in the company. Again, we're looking for large investors and, and everybody has their own definition of that. But if you're interested in your serious professional Investor, invest at 2way TV. And again, you will hear back from us eventually. Thank you for your attention and interest in this matter. We'll see in 24, 23 hours right here on Two Way TV. Again, join me on. Next up, about to record with Senator Hagerty of Tennessee. And my monologue on how Platner's doing this, how he's surviving the unsurvivable. Have a great day, everybody. We'll see you again tomorrow.