2WAY Morning Meeting

Episode: GOP Outrage Grows at "Arctic Frost" and Jack Smith's Surveillance of Conservatives; Latest on 2028

Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Mark Halperin, Sean Spicer, Dan Turrentine

Episode Overview

This special Halloween edition of the 2WAY Morning Meeting dives into headline political issues: the ongoing government shutdown, 2028 presidential speculations, GOP outrage over the "Arctic Frost" investigation and Jack Smith's surveillance of conservatives, Republican and Democratic infighting over Israel, and how polling is shaping strategy on both sides. The conversation features direct, candid exchange between Mark Halperin, former Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer, and Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine, alongside live call-ins from the 2WAY listener community.

Key Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s Schedule and Public Perception

• Trump spent the previous night at a Halloween event with his family and attended a tele-town hall with Virginia Gov. Youngkin before heading to Palm Beach for the weekend.
• Trump’s approach to traditions like Halloween is highlighted as politically savvy and personally engaging. (08:21–09:10)
• Melania’s outfit and the event’s family-friendly atmosphere received praise.

2. Government Shutdown: Why It’s Persisting & Path to Resolution

• What’s Holding Up a Deal:

  • Multiple options for resolving the impasse discussed: presidential intervention, a Schumer-Thune deal, or "renegade" Democratic senators crossing over to reopen the government. (10:00–11:30)
  • GOP and Dems are dug in, with polling shifting but not overwhelmingly blaming either party.
  • "Starting to finally feel it personally...WIC thing continues to be the pain point." — Sean Spicer [13:00]

• Polling & Strategy:

  • Both parties rely on fresh polling but the narrative is being driven by shifting figures—Washington Post poll shows Dems getting more blame recently.
  • Sean Spicer: "Should the government be opened or should we address health care after we reopen the government?...as you can imagine, how you phrase the question is going to matter." [15:47]
  • White House and RNC are tracking public mood closely, especially among independents.

3. Election Day: Local and State Races

• New York:

  • Concerns about low experience of socialist candidate ("not a real job")—Peggy Noonan’s criticisms cited. (18:00–18:53)
  • High early turnout, older voters key to pro-Cuomo hopes.

• Virginia and New Jersey:

  • Both hosts expect Dems to win but Virginia will be tight, New Jersey less so.
  • Dan: "Democrats remain worried about voter base energy and turnout." [19:54]
  • Emphasis on ground game as the deciding factor in Virginia.

4. Republican and Conservative Rift over Israel

• Tucker Carlson & Heritage Foundation controversy:
  • Tucker Carlson hosted Nick Fuentes; Kevin Roberts (Heritage CEO) refused to "cancel" either, triggering loyalty and outrage among GOP elites.
  • Spicer: "If you actually think somebody's really that stupid, then expose the hell out of [them]...show everybody how disgusting they are." [22:14–23:39]
  • Dan: Believes the Israel issue is explosive in both parties. Warns 2028 hopefuls like JD Vance will have to carefully navigate this split. [24:19–24:52]

5. Scandal Watch: "Arctic Frost" & Presidential Ethics

• Arctic Frost:
  • Ongoing GOP outrage over the investigation into conservative activists; concerns about overreach and delayed launch (15 months post-Jan 6).
  • Spicer: "There's 400 and some 50 organizations and individuals...what did they have to do with anything?" [26:27]
• Most Questionable Presidential Conduct:
  • Dan: "The crypto stuff is just so blatant." [27:54]
  • Spicer: "Jury’s out," wants more information before final judgment. [28:03]

6. 2028 Presidential Speculation

• Rahm Emanuel (‘Rahm for President?’):
  • Long favorable Atlantic profile debated.
  • Dan: Thinks Rahm is serious because "he wants it...he wakes up every single day...asking what are the 10 things I need to do today." [30:12]
  • Spicer: Warns that DC/NY press buzz doesn't reflect party base. Sees parallels to 2004 Democrats' focus on “electability.” [31:15]
• Ro Khanna:
  • Only Democrat asked to campaign by both moderate and left candidates, including Spanberger and Mamdani.
  • Ro Khanna: "We've got to build a big tent...the idea that you can move change with purity tests...just I don't think works." [36:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sean Spicer [13:00]:
  “Starting to finally feel it personally...the WIC thing continues to be...the pain point...when they come back after a few days, we’ll see what happens.”
• Dan Turrentine [17:59]:
  “The question is that middle 15%...where are the independents? And I do think if trend lines emerge, it will factor in.”
• Sean Spicer [22:14]:
  “I actually believe the opposite, which is if you really think that they’re that abhorrent, show everybody how disgusting they are.”
• Dan Turrentine [24:19]:
  “If you’re JD Vance and you’re looking at 2028...it is not clear cut. I am firmly with Israel—he’s going to have to walk a line.”
• Ro Khanna [33:31]:
  “This idea that the Democratic Party can just pick one of these wings is...not thoughtful. We lost young voters, we lost rural voters, we lost suburban voters. We’ve got to be a big tent party.”
• Ro Khanna [36:59]:
  “The idea that you can move change with purity tests and you have to agree with everyone just...doesn’t work.”
• Sean Spicer [44:14]:
  “At the end, right, going into 72 hours out of an election, having people get a check in the mail that says here's $200, $400 a couple, is a huge boost.”
• Nicole (caller) [61:17]:
  “We can all admit that there's probably waste, fraud and abuse in every government run program...But in this moment, it's not a negotiation chip. The government isn't open, it's not because we're negotiating SNAP benefits.”

Listener Q&A Highlights

Relief Efforts and SNAP Benefits

• Callers ask about the implications of the SNAP (food stamp) lapse and state-level responses.
• Mark: "Every governor has meetings with their staff about how to deal with this. Not every state has a surplus."
• Spicer: Criticizes the idea that a federal judge could order the administration to use surplus funds.

On Halloween Traditions and Candy

• Dan: "Favorite candy is Reese's peanut butter cups (the full-size ones); worst part of marathon training is the mid-slog when it's hot or rainy." [48:52]
• Spicer: "Frozen Reese's or Twix." [49:27]
• Mark: "Twizzler guy, but frozen Milky Way for candy bars." [49:42]

Ground Game Troubles & Party Strategy

• Caller laments lack of GOP ground game in Northern Virginia.
• Spicer: "Money is tight...you can’t turn on a ground game like a spigot." [56:45]

SNAP Fraud, Entitlement, and Real Needs

• Caller Carrie asks about online depictions of fraud and entitlement among SNAP recipients; how to reconcile compassion with frustration over abuse.
• Nicole (SNAP recipient and prior guest): "For me, it’s about doing something good...there's probably waste, fraud and abuse in every government run program...But in this moment, it's not a negotiation chip." [61:17]
• Spicer: "You don't negotiate with the fire department when the fire's happening...fix fraud later, get people help now." [62:32]

Community Impact

• Elise from a Nevada food bank reports: "90 people donated about $5,000 thanks to the 2WAY community." [62:40]

Winners and Losers of the Week

• Winner:

  • Sean: Virginia taxpayers (election-time tax rebate), but also Trump.
  • Dan: Gavin Newsom ("won this year" as CA governor, possible presidential hope).
  • Mark: Putin (U.S. and China meet; no pressure to help Ukraine).

• Loser:

  • Sean: “Knuckleheads that robbed the Louvre.” More seriously: recipients of Biden pardons who may be in legal jeopardy due to process flaws.
  • Dan: Argentinian bailout (unpopular all around).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:44] President’s Halloween & Schedule
• [10:00] Government Shutdown—Root Causes, Polls
• [15:41] Public Opinion and Polling Strategy
• [18:50] Election Day Previews: NY, VA, NJ
• [22:14] Tucker, Heritage, and Internal GOP Israel Debate
• [25:21] Arctic Frost & Surveillance Investigations
• [27:54] Biggest Presidential Ethics Scandal
• [30:12] 2028: Rahm Emanuel Profile
• [33:31] Ro Khanna on Bridging Dem Factions
• [36:59] Ro Khanna Q&A: Big Tent, Purity Tests
• [44:14] Winner/Loser of the Week
• [48:22] Listener Q&A (SNAP, State Relief, Halloween Candy, Ground Game)
• [61:17] SNAP Fraud, Empathy, Abuse—Call-in Reactions & Reflections

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

The tone is candid, playful (Halloween banter, candy bars), and deeply policy-focused, with frank disagreement and bipartisan analysis. Both hosts emphasize the complexity of political strategy, the pitfalls of polling, and the importance of ground operations. Listener engagement is lively, with heartfelt and practical questions elevating topics like food aid from the abstract to the personal.

A go-to episode for listeners who want to understand the interplay of D.C. strategy and human consequence—leavened by the hosts’ good humor and pointed honesty.