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The Morning Meeting
Where Does JD Vance Stand in the Race for the 2028 GOP Presidential Nomination? Trump Warns Ukraine
01:03:15
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- [00:01]
Ellen
This is it.
- [00:02]
Mark Bednar
The world as you know it is over.
- [00:04]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Completely done. It's not about to be over.
- [00:08]
Mark Bednar
It's over.
- [00:09]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Some of the scientists who helped build AI are now sounding the alarm.
- [00:14]
Mark Bednar
I was selling AI as a great thing for decades and I was wrong. I was wrong.
- [00:22]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
There's a longer term existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings that that are more intelligent than ourselves.
- [00:30]
Governor Josh Shapiro
We have no idea whether we can stay in control.
- [00:33]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
While others say that AI will usher in unfathomable abundance, I've always believed that it's going to be the most important.
- [00:39]
Mark Bednar
Invention that humanity will ever make.
- [00:41]
Robert (Pennsylvania resident and Two Way stalwart)
This really will be a world of abundance.
- [00:44]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
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.
- [01:00]
James Patterson
I'm James Patterson. I write way too many books. Welcome to Hungry Dogs. The title comes from my maternal grandmother, Isabel Zelvis Morris. Nan used to always say, hungry dogs run faster, James. And I've been running fast ever since. Here's what will be coming your way soon, and this is a really terrific list. I think you'll hear from some incredible people like Stacey Abrams. Yay. BJ Novak.
- [01:26]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yay.
- [01:27]
James Patterson
Kathy Bates, Dolly Parton, Josh Gad. And Pope Leo. Okay, maybe not Pope Leo, but who knows? Maybe he'll show up. Hungry dogs run faster. Thank you, Grandma, for turning me into a hopeless, obsessive compulsive. Listen to Hungry Dogs with James Patterson. That'd be me on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
- [02:01]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Now it's the perfect time and the season is just right. You can play all day and dance into the night.
- [02:10]
Beautiful Mount Airy lodge. All you have to bring is your love of everything. More reservations, phone 1-800-441-4410. Oh, wow. Every l. All you have to bring is your love of everything.
- [02:32]
That is a spectacular vintage advertisement which we're showing because our producer, Paul Wilkie had the good sense to point out that that's where the President's going today. Some are questioning insiders who aren't concerned necessarily with the real lives of real people, but the stagecraft of statecraft. Why the President's doing his big economic kickoff event A at a casino and B at 6 o' clock at night ruining Brett Bear show and mine. But amongst other things, not your classic time to get in the news cycle. So, joining us again today, Mark Bednar, Republican. Nomi Kunst, Democrat. Thank you for coming back.
- [03:08]
Mark. If the White House called you and said, mark, we're thinking of launching our economic tour at 6pm at a casino. What would you say?
- [03:18]
Mark Bednar
The time of the day? Like President Trump, he's going to drive the, you know, he's going to drive the news cycle. If it's at 6:00am or 6:00pm that's old.
- [03:25]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Think on my part. 6:00pm Whatever. Yeah, okay, but you wouldn't. But if he did it at 10:30 at night, you'd say it's not any good. Right. Or is even. Doesn't matter at all.
- [03:34]
Mark Bednar
Doesn't matter.
- [03:34]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Doesn't matter. Okay, what about a casino?
- [03:37]
Mark Bednar
Like, that's the, you know, he's a casino guy. He's run casinos before.
- [03:41]
Nomi Kunst
If he's comfortable there, he's a great casino guy.
- [03:45]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. Nomi, does this make sense to you? I take Mark's point that he's a casino guy and the news cycles, whatever. But I just, I don't know, it's just not going to get as much coverage even in the modern age. Right.
- [03:55]
Nomi Kunst
I feel like the White House is the writers room at SNL where they're just coming up with new ideas every day to just shock everybody. I don't know if you've been there, but there's a great guy, Fieri's there. So I hope he does it from the guy. Fieri's at the Mount Airy Lodge because let's just add a little bit more zest to this. It's Pennsylvania. It's his base. That casino is definitely full of people who probably voted for him.
- [04:19]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Well, that county, that county flipped from Biden to Trump. Biden 20, Trump 24. And obviously Pennsylvania is the ultimate battleground state. So we'll talk about the president's event and the economy in just a moment. He did a big interview with POLITICO. Dasha Burns, 45 minutes. And then Caroline Levitt was on Fox and Friends. So one, two, punch teeing up the event. And the president said a lot more in that political interview than just about that. So we'll have some of that for you. We'll talk about Russia, Ukraine, etc. If your first time here, perhaps you don't know, this program is based on the network News division's morning meetings where they sit around and talk through the news of the day and they go back and forth a little bit about what everybody thinks to try to tee things up, set expectations. And for the networks, it's the plan news coverage for you all. It's just to inform you, educate you, give you a sense of what people are thinking. And then, of course, the little O. Henry twist at the end of the program, you get to be part of the conversation. So if you're here on the platform and would like to be part of it, raise your hand. If you've never raised your hand before, summon the courage, the gumption, the sheer fortitude to raise your hand and say, call on me. I want to talk to Mark and Omi. What an opportunity. If you're watching on x or on YouTube, don't raise your hand. And also, little thing, don't put smack in the chat. Yesterday I spent five hours reading just the smack. We have an algorithm that just sucks the smack out of the chat. And. And I just read it and just extraordinary how if you don't have to be on camera and you don't have to use your own voice and likeness, you people will write anything. It's quite something. Don't put smack in the chat, put your smack elsewhere. Peace, love and understanding is the way we roll here. The day book in a moment, after a brief word from one of our sponsors, and it's our friends at Cozy Earth, our Cozy Earth sponsors are offering you. I don't get this. In fact, when they called me, I urged them. I said, it's too much. It's too much. 40% off is too much. But they said, no. The people of Morning Meeting the people of Two Way deserve 40% off. The bubble cuddle blanket, the sheets, the towels, the pants, the T shirts, all available to you now at 40% off. Go to cozy earth.com use the promo code 2WMM for an extraordinary 40% off. No, me. 40% is practically 50% by my calculations. I don't even need. I don't even need the Two Way advocates to tell you that you can get it. All right now. The code will work for you. 2 wmm. 40% off, everything on the Cozy Earth website. I recommend it all, but as you know, I have a special affinity for the pants. It's all available to you right now. Give it as gifts. Buy it for yourself. Maybe both. If you haven't bought yourself something on Cozy Earth yet, give it a try right now. Cozyearth.com, promo code 2 WMM. Give the gift of comfort that lasts beyond the holidays and carries you into a Cozy New Year. Cozyearth.com promo code to WMM.
- [06:53]
James Patterson
I'm James Patterson. I write way too many books. Welcome to Hungry Dogs. The title comes from my maternal grandmother, Isabel Zelvis. Morris Nan used to always say, hungry dogs run Faster, James. And I've been running fast ever since. Here's what will be coming your way soon. And this is a really terrific list. I think you'll hear from some incredible people like Stacey Abrams.
- [07:17]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yay.
- [07:18]
James Patterson
BJ Novak.
- [07:19]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yay.
- [07:20]
James Patterson
Kathy Bates, Dolly Parton, Josh Gad. And Pope Leo. Okay, maybe not Pope Leo, but who knows, Maybe he'll show up. Hungry dogs run faster. Thank you, Grandma, for turning me into a hopeless, obsessive compulsive. Listen to Hungry Dogs with James Patterson. That'd be me on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
- [07:50]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
The president today has two things on his schedule. It's kind of interesting. The first is he's going to a holiday party at the Vice president. Either of you ever been to the Naval Observatory for a vice presidential holiday party?
- [08:03]
Mark Bednar
Not yet.
- [08:04]
Nomi Kunst
Actually, I have.
- [08:06]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I've been there for a Gore party and I've been there for a Biden party when he was vice president. And the Biden one featured water guns. And.
- [08:14]
Yeah, water guns. I can't say any more about it because it was off the record, but there were water guns anyway. And then he goes. It doesn't say how he's traveling, but our suspicion is chopper from the White House to the Poconos to the Mount Airy Casino Resort for 6:10pm Eastern Time. If he's on a speech on the economy, it's like a rally on the economy. If he's on time, he'll blow out a lot of two way tonight because I suspect we'll just sit around and watch it. Mystery science political theater style and just mystery political science theater style and just watch it. The vice president's hosting that party. Don't know what else he's doing. Pete Hagseth, Marco Rubio and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs as well as the CIA director are all on Capitol Hill. To briefly, Gang of Eight, these the leadership and the top intelligence officials about this ongoing mission in the Caribbean and Caribbean and, and probably talk about that unreleased video, which we will talk about in a moment. The senators are having their weekly lunches today at 12:45 and then afterwards talk to cameras. Gene Simmons, I guess he's hung around Washington. Mark, you run in, you run into him at all since Sunday? Because he's still in town. He's testifying the music American Music Fairness act before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Jamison Greer, the USTR representative, is talking about the economy also on the Senate side and they're doing some nomination stuff. There's mayoral Elections in some places today. Albuquerque, Miami. Miami's gotten a lot of attention. It's a runoff between former Democratic County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who's received surrogate support from a lot of prominent Democrats and former Republican City Manager Emilio Gonzalez. Polls close at 7 o' clock Eastern Time. Indiana Senate continues to deal with redistricting and tries to figure out how to navigate there. Big argument in the Supreme Court at 10 o' clock this morning. A case that if the justices rule for open, open openness and freedom of money, it will allow much more coordination between outside money and campaigns and party.
- [10:17]
Nomi Kunst
Possible at this point.
- [10:18]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I like there's room for more. I know there's room for more. I reaction.
- [10:22]
Nomi Kunst
But take the crypto and just put it in the press.
- [10:24]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. Just like put a blanket right in the vein. The president money.
- [10:29]
Nomi Kunst
Take it.
- [10:29]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
The president's supporters believe that if they'll get a favorable decision and it will be very good for the Republican Party. The Fed's meeting starts today. They meet tomorrow again and they're going to cut interest rates by some amount. And finally, Josh Shapiro, who's on a self consciously obvious tour to remind people that Gavin Newsom is not the only candidate who might run for president, was on MSNBC last night. I got $40,000 in the swear jar, Mississippi. Now last night where he talked about all manners of things. He's in Washington today doing an event with the Utah governor Spencer Cox, moderated by Savannah Guthrie at the National Cathedral on political violence. So stay tuned for that. We'll have full coverage of that on this program tomorrow. All right. The president teeing up his economic speech tonight at a Casino at 60:10pm Eastern Time, if it starts on time. Did this long interview with Politico and what everybody's looking for is can the president stay on message on the economy? Can he talk in a focused way? The speech is advertised as being on the economy. Many times Donald Trump has been told you have to do X, you have to be disciplined. And he's not. So here's a little test run. Dasha Burns asked him, what's your letter grade on the economy? And of course, that naturally leads to a discussion of Marjorie Taylor Greene. Here we go. 104, please.
- [11:50]
Nomi Kunst
I wonder, sir, what grade would you give your economy right now?
- [11:55]
Donald Trump
Before I answer that, let me just tell you something. I've watched stupid people like Marjorie Trader Greene or some people call her Taylor Greene, some people call her Taylor Brown because green sometimes turns to brown, which isn't nice. But I've watched her say that he.
- [12:15]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Spends too much time, zero seconds on the economy, foreign.
- [12:18]
Donald Trump
Well, by doing that, first of all, it doesn't take a lot of time. I made one trip. I brought back trillions of dollars on that one trip.
- [12:26]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Enough of that one. He goes on and on. He vaguely says overseas work is he's thinking about the United States when he's overseas. Here's a little bit more of an on message version. This is Caroline Levitt on FOX and friends this morning. 106, please.
- [12:42]
Caroline Levitt
Well, we greatly look forward to going to northeast Pennsylvania tonight. And President Trump is going to give a positive economic focus speech where he talks about all that he and his team has done to provide bigger paychecks and lower prices for the American people. And don't forget, a year ago President Trump inherited the worst inflation crisis in modern American history from the Biden administration. And I have watched every single day as President Trump and his tremendous economic team have been working to fix it. And they have through a very simple economic formula which President Trump will talk about tonight. Number one, tax cuts. Within six months, President Trump signed the largest middle class tax cut in American history. No tax on tips, overtime, Social Security. And you'll hear stories of everyday Americans tonight who will benefit directly from those tax rebates next year. You look at the massive deregulatory effort from President Trump and his team, which is saving American households and small businesses money. And then of course, unleashing American energy dominance, which is having a direct impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And we have seen oil prices down 20% in 22 states. The average price of gas is less than 275 a gallon. Gas prices are at their lowest point in five years. This is all thanks to President Trump's economic agenda. There's a lot more work to do and he'll talk more about that tonight. But this is going to be President Trump's bread and butter issue focused on the economy. Nobody knows it better than him.
- [14:15]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
So mark the message. We've done a lot. We've got a lot more to do together. Obviously, I'm shorter. Caroline Levitt. So in the olden days, the metric of success for a White House would be he'd give the speech at 2:00 clock and then at 6:30, the communications director at the White House would turn on Tom, Dan and Peter and see what they had to say about it. If you were running the White House comm shop here, what would your metric of success be? Regardless of whether the president talks about Marjorie Taylor Greene or not tonight, what are they trying to Achieve with this speech, where would you look to see if it's successful on ads on Netflix? Like, where would it be?
- [14:49]
Mark Bednar
I would look to the. The actual specific area where they're. They're sitting in Pennsylvania. This is a spot. Purple. Purple seat where Rob Bresnahan, he recently won it. He flipped a seat. He's on the list of the Democrats list to flip. So the fact that, like, they're right there in a politically potent area, the reaction on the ground is going to tell you everything you need to know.
- [15:11]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
So, like, what happens on. On Channel 5 and in Pennsylvania.
- [15:16]
Mark Bednar
Yes, I think, I think that to me is going to be a really big metric.
- [15:20]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
A.
- [15:20]
Mark Bednar
It's like, not only is it politically valuable for, you know, the next couple of years, but also it's a perfect microcosm of what works, what doesn't. You know, if he. If the president's going to go by gut, you know, with applause lines or, you know, just personal reactions, like, what better Petri dish than a purple district in a purple state?
- [15:38]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. All right. No, if this were Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton, the opposition party would be like, we're gonna have to watch this thing. This could be a powerful speech. He could regain control of the economy. And talking to Democrats about this speech, since it was announced last week, they're all just. They're all just laughing now. Maybe they're underestimating Donald Trump, but do you feel that he could come out here and grab this issue in a way that would put your party on the defensive? Or you don't. You don't think that's likely possible?
- [16:07]
Nomi Kunst
There's the Donald Trump issue, and then there's our party, our message. We miss a lot of great opportunities to, to go on offense against Donald Trump in a unified way. No, I mean, I think the issue that he's going to be facing is obviously affordability. I mean, it's what everybody's talking about. And the bailout for farmers over soybeans in particular. I mean, that's the effect of his tariff policies. You know, he promised to take down the debt, and all he's collected is $250 billion. We have, what, $33 trillion in debt. That's a. It's got a lot of work to do there. So I, I don't know how he's going to spin it. It seems like, like in the interview with Dasha, he just goes back to Marjorie Taylor Greene or some sort of red herring. You know, it's almost impossible at this point for him to stay on message or to stay awake. Did you see him in the, in the meeting yesterday?
- [16:52]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Seemed to not all begin in the meeting when he eventually gave himself a letter grade. Do you guys know what letter grade he gave himself a.
- [17:01]
Yeah, one more plus than I would have expected. All right, we'll watch the speech. I said whoever again. Yeah. What do you say, Mark?
- [17:09]
Mark Bednar
One interesting part. So Caroline, in her list of achievements, so she rattled off the no tax on tips like we've hear, we're hearing from Republicans. Kind of their pivot point right now is like there's so much in one big beautiful bill, we don't know where to start. So the fact that they're at a casino and, you know, there's, there's kind of evidence here about how they won Nevada because of this play towards casino workers who are largely tipped workers. So there's a way to, you're actually can get an inch wide, mile deep on a specific provision. That's a big deal.
- [17:38]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. Which is new. Which is the reason they're actually in the casino, by the way, so they can talk about helping workers with.
- [17:44]
Mark Bednar
Perfect.
- [17:45]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah.
- [17:45]
Nomi Kunst
Is it a unionized casino? Because that's also, I mean, Nevada is obviously unionized workers.
- [17:49]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I think it is. I think it is. If it's in Pennsylvania. It probably is. Well, look, good question. All right, Russia, Ukraine. I'm just staggered by how little coverage there is of this today.
- [18:00]
You know, was not on cable this morning. It's barely in the newspapers, even though Zelensky, President Zelensky yesterday said, you know, no, we're not, we're not giving up land, which is obviously critical. The Russians aren't going to do a deal that doesn't involve giving up land. The president in his interview with Dasha Burns of Politico, very tough on Zelensky and also very tough on Europe. And I can tell you in private, administration officials are scathing about the Europeans, both in general and about the role they're playing at this point in the peace process. So here's the president first on Zelensky and how he shouldn't give up, rule out giving up land. Well, first, here's the headline. Sorry, 108. This is the new York Times headline about what Zelenskyy said. He did an online chat with reporters as he was leaving London, where he's meeting with the major European leaders. Zelenskyy rules out ceding land to Russia, refusing to bow and to Putin or Trump. And here's what the president said to Dasha Burns. First about Ukraine, then about Europe. You can roll 109 and 110 back to back, please.
- [19:04]
Donald Trump
You know, I want to stop seeing.
- [19:05]
Governor Josh Shapiro
People kill this deal.
- [19:06]
Nomi Kunst
If Zelensky rejects this deal, is there a timeline? Is there a point at which you.
- [19:11]
Donald Trump
Say, well, he's going to have to get on the ball and start accepting things, you know, when you're losing. These are losing.
- [19:20]
Nomi Kunst
Do Ukraine has. Do you think Ukraine has lost this war?
- [19:24]
Donald Trump
Well, they've lost territory long before I got here. They lost a whole strip of seafront, big seafront. I mean, you look at the maps. I've been here for 10 months, but you go back 10 months and take a look. They lost that whole strip. It's now a bigger strip, it's a wider strip, but they lost a lot of land, and it's very good land, too, that they lost. You certainly wouldn't say it's a. They're not doing a good job. Europe is not doing a good job. In many ways, they're not doing a good job.
- [19:54]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I want to ask you.
- [19:55]
Donald Trump
They talk too much and they're not producing. We're talking about Ukraine. They talk, but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on. Four years now. It's been going on long before I got here. This is not my war. This is Joe Biden's war. And in terms of America, it's a very sad thing. And the only reason I really care about it is because I hate to see young, beautiful people being killed. I'm with them.
- [20:27]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But, yeah, Nomi, I've been pretty bullish on a deal, more than most people. But I don't see now how there could possibly be a deal because Putin's not going to give any more, and Zelensky says no land. So what happens now?
- [20:45]
Nomi Kunst
We continue to cut ties with Europe. I mean, it didn't help that, that they released that memo, that national security memo that basically insulted all the European leaders. And our relationship with Europe, I mean, that's actually the undertone here that I'm mostly concerned about. Obviously, the war between Ukraine and Russia is super concerning, but also our international alliances. I mean, this is when you zoom outward, think about how that affects the economy, how that affects our trade deals, how that affects our lives here in the United States. And that's, I think, the answer that Donald Trump's gonna have to answer at the end of the day is, you know, when you start to create these fissures, what does that mean for people at home and the World order? That's my personal concern.
- [21:26]
Mark Bednar
But doesn't the President have a right to be, frankly, pissed off about how Europe continues to buy billions and billions of dollars of energy from Russia.
- [21:35]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah.
- [21:35]
Mark Bednar
It fuels the Russian war machine. And simultaneously, like, they're. They're hemorrhaging their own economic progress here. So isn't it.
- [21:46]
For him to be upset about that?
- [21:47]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But, Mark, what happens if. If. What happens next? If Zelensky says, sorry, I'm not accepting this deal, what happens next?
- [21:55]
Mark Bednar
I mean, one thing, I don't know, like, I think he continues to go back to the drawing board. Like, he's been persistent throughout this whole time. Yes. He's taken the foot off the gas and on the gas.
- [22:06]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
You talking about Trump or Zelensky?
- [22:08]
Mark Bednar
The president?
- [22:09]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Trump. So if Zelensky says, sorry, I just can't accept that, and Putin says sorry, there has to be territorial concessions, what does Donald Trump do? Does he give a speech announcing good luck? Like, what happens? Because I don't think he's. I don't think he's gonna. If. I don't know the. I don't think he's gonna. They're gonna keep the peace process going if they hit that wall. So what does he do?
- [22:32]
Mark Bednar
I mean, that's, I mean, it's a conundrum. I have no idea. That's a really good point. Yeah, but. All right, I don't. I see the president being persistent here.
- [22:41]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Like, all right, regardless, let's talk about a conundrum here at home with equally equal ambiguity about what's going to happen. Another news cycle since we last talked of, you know, the House Republicans and the senate Republicans having 72 health care ideas. Some people say do nothing. Some people say, let's do something. No consensus about what to do. So it's December 9th. Will there be a vote? There's going to be a vote in two days in the Senate on the Democrat bill. It'll fail. Will there be a vote on Thursday in the Senate on some package? Yes or no? Nomi?
- [23:11]
Nomi Kunst
I think there will be another fail. It'll. It'll, you know, I think it'll be the moderate plan, and it'll fail. And then that's up. And then.
- [23:18]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Mark, Will there be a House vote on House.
- [23:22]
Mark Bednar
I see a Senate vote before a House vote.
- [23:24]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah, yeah, but what did the Senate. What do you think the Senate's going to vote on the vote on the Democratic bill to extend the subsidies? What will the House. Will the Senate Republican vote be on? Because right now they don't want to vote on anything because they're too divided and they don't want to show division. The Collins plan, I think that's the.
- [23:37]
Nomi Kunst
One that, I don't know. I think that's probably the closest thing to the Democratic plan that will appease Republican voters right now, but it's going to fail.
- [23:44]
Mark Bednar
Like, where, where they want to get around to is like, they don't want to see. They don't want to deal there with their own fingerprints on the Democrats bill. But they also, they need want something that actually goes after the rise of premiums, not just papering over. Like that's, that's what the Democrat bill actually does.
- [24:01]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Right.
- [24:01]
Mark Bednar
But like, probably the Cassidy likely. But you think so?
- [24:05]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. I mean, there's like seven that they could vote on, but I don't think they're going to vote on anything. All right. The Pentagon video, the president yesterday went from saying, sure, release it. All good with me, to saying whatever Hegseth wants. It's a weird thing for this president to say, but Donald Trump says things with purpose, typically. Mark, why is he, why is he basically saying it's up to Hegseth? What's the political value of that for him?
- [24:27]
Mark Bednar
Well, ultimately, like, I do think it does come out. If this is an opportunity where, if Pete can show kind of an olive branch to the Senate. Like, I've talked to Senate Republican leaders who they just want more engagement from DoD. If this is an opportunity for.
- [24:44]
Hegseth to own this and to say, like, here we go, Senate, I'm going to work with you on this.
- [24:48]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But why wouldn't the president say, of course we're going to release it as soon as we run all the traps? Why wouldn't he just own it if it's coming out so he can be on the side of transparency? What he says, he told Dasha Burns he's seen the video. So why wouldn't he, Nomi, why wouldn't he just own it and say, yeah, we're going to release it?
- [25:03]
Nomi Kunst
Well, number one, I think it gives the president cover if he messes up again. But it also gives him a backing. Hegseth, who has completely, you know, lost faith and trust. We've lost faith and trust with him. I mean, that's my way. My. Like, it's a cover no matter what.
- [25:19]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I find it confusing.
- [25:21]
Mark Bednar
But if he didn't want it out, he would. He would say as much.
- [25:24]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Right, but that's what I'm saying. If he. He's clearly signaling it's okay with him if it comes out. But I don't understand why he's putting it on Peg said because. Because there should. I don't know why they wouldn't. He would want any distance between the two of them. I don't know. It's confusing.
- [25:36]
Nomi Kunst
Maybe there's something. I mean, there's definitely something legal going on for sure, but maybe there's something legal that he's concerned about.
- [25:43]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Let's talk about AI. There's still this question of, of whether there's going to be an executive order or some legislation limiting what states can do to regulate AI. Yesterday, the president allowed Nvidia to sell some sort of chips to China with the US taking 25% of the profits. And, you know, there continues to be debate about AI's role in the economy. Here's my question. I didn't warn you guys about it, so good luck to you. Who. If you if for each for your own party. If you could make one person, the spokesperson to explain the economics of AI to America, who's the person whether they're in the executive branch, laser branch. Who's the person who you think is the best explainer in chief of. Here's what AI is. Here's. Here's how America's going to lead on it. Mark.
- [26:29]
Mark Bednar
I would say Senator McCormick. He's not an AI guy, but he is super smart, gets the economy, you know, comes from a energy state where, you know, that that's going to be the requirement for data centers. He's seen industries in Pennsylvania, you know, coal, what, what that rebalancing of a economy, what that does to an economy. I think just he is the total package who I would be super supportive of.
- [26:51]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
David McCormick. Nomi, who would be the Democrat you'd pick to be your lead talker on Congressman Ro Khanna. Yeah.
- [26:59]
Nomi Kunst
He's obviously Silicon Valley. He's a populist. He's a great communicator. And I think at the end of the day, he's a future leader for the country as well. I think he's one of our top leaders.
- [27:10]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
And like Dave McCormick, he's wicked smart. And like Dave McCormick, born in Pennsylvania.
- [27:14]
Nomi Kunst
Exactly.
- [27:15]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Good.
- [27:15]
Mark Bednar
They should be together.
- [27:16]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. All right. The New York Times has two stories today about the Democratic Governors association meeting that was held over the weekend in Arizona where not all the governors went, but Gavin Newsom got a lot of attention. Unusual for him to go, I believe, to a DJ meeting. I may be wrong about that, but I think he skipped some. At least Wes Moore got a lot of attention. Gretchen Whitmer, but a lot of conversation. Quiz. Hit your buzzer when you know the answer. Who was the last Democrat nominated? Democrat governor nominated to be presidential candidate for the Democrats. Who's the last governor nominated?
- [27:49]
Nomi Kunst
Clinton.
- [27:50]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Right, Clinton. So it's been 33 years since the Democrats have nominated a governor, even though the conventional wisdom throughout, you know, long period of time is governors do better for both parties. So.
- [28:03]
All the Democrat governors are singing from the same hymnal. It should be a governor. It will be a governor. Now, again, it would break precedence of a third of a century. Nomi, why has your party not nominated governors? Is it just a fluke? But why has your party not followed the conventional wisdom for 33 years that nominating a governor is a smart thing to do?
- [28:23]
Nomi Kunst
Well, think about it. The last several elections, with exception to President Obama, it was about who's next in line. I mean, even in the primary between Hillary Clinton and President Obama, it was, Hillary was next in line. So we have a little bit of an issue in our party with trying to.
- [28:41]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But even the runner ups in 16 and 20, the runner up was a Senator Bernie Sanders. So even then.
- [28:49]
Why have we gone. Who's been the strongest gubernatorial person in the last 33 years?
- [28:55]
Nomi Kunst
I mean, we've had gubernatorial candidates on the, we've had Tim Kaine, we've had Tim Walls, I mean, they've been on the ticket. But in terms of an actual Democratic primary, we've had a lot of issues with that in our.
- [29:07]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But why is Mark, why is that? Why have no Democratic governors been front and center?
- [29:13]
Mark Bednar
Well, even scaling back to like a smaller office, like Andrew Cuomo got walloped in a, in a mayoral race in New York. So like his managerial expertise at a state level didn't, you know, even go back the other way either?
- [29:27]
Nomi Kunst
Well, I think that, I think there was a lot more to that, but.
- [29:30]
Mark Bednar
It'S success of it not working out. I think there's, there's an ideological.
- [29:34]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
If you were wagering again, raise your hand if you want. In the conversation, we got a couple more topics. If you were wagering on the identity of the Democratic nominee for 2028, would you bet on governor or not? Governor?
- [29:44]
Nomi Kunst
Oh, absolutely. Governor. I think this is, the issue is that we haven't had competitive primaries. So now we're going to have a competitive primary with. And also, you know, the leadership in these states has been fairly strong. You've got Pritzker, Whitmer, Shapiro, Newsom. You know, this is. Who else do we have? Wes Moore. I mean, those are five extraordinarily strong candidates.
- [30:05]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Michael Bennett, my candidate.
- [30:06]
Nomi Kunst
Michael Bennett.
- [30:07]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I don't know, Mark.
- [30:10]
Mark Bednar
I think that's just as likely that you have a congresswoman AOC who's the nominee rather than, rather than a governor, just like who brings the fight.
- [30:21]
And right. Right now it just seems like everyone going through, you know, we'll talk about this for the next year, year and a half before the primaries actually start. But you know, I think AOC is just as likely as any of these governors.
- [30:31]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I have some theories about why governors have not done well and why and why despite the ebullience of the DGA meeting, it's a governor's not a sure thing. But I'm working on them still, so I'm not prepared to say what they are. But, but I think part of it is the nationalization of the process. And, and governors are just, they're just even the most sophisticated ones, they're not part of the relationships, the culture, the media rhythms of national politics. And that's a lot of what winning a presidential nomination is about. We'll see. All right, here's someone who's thinking of running for president. Rahm Emanuel put that headline up. Rahm Emanuel is a product of the Clinton 92, Clinton 96 ethos of you want to get small issues or semi small issues, what they call some called small ball or small bore to.
- [31:24]
Connect with the public. So here's the headline from political Rahm Emanuel says us should allow follow Australia's path on a social media youth social media ban. I was watching the BBC this morning because I have the quad split on YouTube TV and the fourth news channels is BBC and they their story was Australia has banned social media for kids 16 and under. Can't be on Instagram if you're 15 year old girl who wants to you know read about watch Taylor Swift videos. So this is, this is an issue that you know parents might like. This country's been a total failure in regulating social media to protect our kids and Rahm is floating this idea. Nomi, if Rahm called you and said what's what are the downsides of being for this? Do you see any downsides to being for a ban on social media for 15 and under?
- [32:12]
Nomi Kunst
I mean the TikTok lobby going after you?
- [32:16]
Robert (Pennsylvania resident and Two Way stalwart)
Yeah.
- [32:16]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah that'd be.
- [32:17]
Nomi Kunst
I think that's pretty much it. It's just lobbying.
- [32:19]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But is that, but is that, but is that net net. Is that make it maybe this is a bad idea to to be for or net net. It's a good idea because parents would love it and parents vote more than 15 year olds on TikTok some parents would love it.
- [32:30]
Nomi Kunst
And I think a lot of parents don't want a parent and they have no problem giving their kids phones to distract themselves. New York, we banned them in schools recently, and it's been tremendously popular.
- [32:39]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
But I'm asking, but I'm asking, is this a good idea if you're running, if you want to run for president, is this a good thing to be for?
- [32:44]
Nomi Kunst
No. You know, it's a good idea if Rahm Emanuel talks about the economy and working class issues, but that's not something he's going to talk about.
- [32:51]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Because, Mark, if, if some, if Ted Cruz, say, wants to run against JD Vance, is this, or JD Vance, is this a good issue for a Republican to adopt this as well?
- [33:01]
Mark Bednar
Well, at least I'll take it back for Rahm. I think for Rahm, it's a good risk. He's been kind of, you know, he doesn't have the same stage, the same national, you know, he's not in the zeitgeist in the same way. So he needs, he needs to take a risk and like, kind of pick your spots. But from a Republican standpoint, I think that it would, like in a, if I'm J.D. vance or, or Cruz or whoever, I totally think that it's a good move because empowering parents in it, like how we're moving forward with the toxicity of social media, I think, like, it is a worthwhile risk. And also you stake that ground now. No one else can take that ground from you and they have to argue on the other side.
- [33:41]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Do either of you, do either of you work for any social media platforms?
- [33:45]
Nomi Kunst
No.
- [33:46]
Mark Bednar
No.
- [33:47]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Okay, so if you were, if you were an advisor to TikTok or to Instagram, and, and, and this was, this was gaining steam, like J.D. vance endorsed it and a Democrat nominee endorsed it, how would you, how would you counter it? What would your legislative rhetorical strategy be to stop that from becoming law?
- [34:04]
Nomi Kunst
I think it's free speech. I mean, if I were advising them, and I would never, by the way, advise them on any of this, it's an issue of free speech. I mean, especially J.D. vance and his, his base, I would say, J.D. vance, you rely on young boys being radicalized on the Internet. This is obviously a closed conversation, and free speech is a big part of that. And if you want to get your message out to the next generation, you know, whether it's the Tim Pools and all those, their base is young men. And that's what the Republican Party is relying on right now. If it were Democrats, I would say, you know, your base is young women, and they're on TikTok right now, radicalizing. So that's the gender divide on these platforms.
- [34:42]
Mark Bednar
What TikTok did during the after, it was basically they're forced to sell like their, their ad campaign was genius, showing small businesses like, I only exist because of, because of TikTok. Like, there's probably, you know, this school group, this school club, this sports team we only organized because kids were able to, to talk together on social media. There's a social cohesion argument that, you know, you can make in a 10 figure ad buy or 7 figure ad buy to kind of like show the softer side of social media.
- [35:14]
Nomi Kunst
But there's a public conversation.
- [35:16]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah, yeah. All right, one more topic then. To your questions, please raise your hand if you want to get in.
- [35:22]
Two things everybody waits for. Everybody in America is just always sitting around waiting for. One is, when will the New York jets have a good team? And two is, when is Jamie Dimon going to run for president? And there's always around this time. There's always a little bit of a drum beat. And the gang of 500, the establishment, the people having breakfast at the Regency right now, they just want Jamie Dimon. That's all they want. So Jamie Dimon announced something. It was actually announced a little while ago, I think in October, but he fleshed it out today. He hired someone away from Warren Buffett to run a $1.5 trillion American Resiliency Pledge Fund called the Supergroup. And he announced the people advising this Supergroup. And this is informed by Jamie Dimon's substantive belief that we learned from COVID that America must have in defense and technology and infrastructure, we must have a backstop against our supply chain being disrupted either by something like a pandemic or a threat from overseas. So the group includes Jeff Bezos, Michael Dell, Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, a bunch of other business leaders, and then from politics, Condoleezza Rice. She's not really from politics. I always bristle when people confuse politics with government. This is from the Wall Street Journal, but Condoleezza Rice and Bob Gates, two of the most respected public servants in national security, really, in our lifetimes, and then Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House of Representatives. So this is a very august group. And while it's, it's. It's announced purpose is to, is to advise this fund to protect America. The people in my life who think Jamie Dimon is going to run for president look at this as like a, you know, a campaign Committee in formation. So I'm not going to ask you if he's going to run. And if he did run, would he run as a Democrat or Republican independent? No one really knows. Nomi, how would you appraise Jamie Dimon's chances? If he said, I'm going to run for president and leverage all of this kind of stuff, how would you appraise his chances of being, becoming president?
- [37:23]
Nomi Kunst
I would give him a 0.1% chance.1 a billion.
- [37:26]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
A billionaire. A billionaire. A billionaire New York banker of ethnic heritage, you think would be. But is that why, but is that why you say so low chances because he's a billionaire banker from New York?
- [37:37]
Nomi Kunst
I mean, when does that work out? It's like, how did that work out for Bloomberg? And Bloomberg had been mayor and bought his position. This is if we're talking about affordability, Jamie Dimon is not necessarily the person who, I mean, somebody like Pritzker who is wealthy but is kind of carrying like an fdr, you know, I care about the working people thing that could potentially work. But somebody like Jamie Dimon who deals with Wall street all day long and probably hasn't, you know, been to the Poconos recently, to that casino. Yeah, I don't think it's going to stick.
- [38:08]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Okay, Mark.
- [38:11]
Mark Bednar
I think, you know, if Jamie Dimon, for, I don't think he's going to be president or even run for president, but if he can show that he's affable in one way, shape or form, you know, I don't think I've ever seen him pull up and have, you know, a beer with a voter. You know, can he, when he passed.
- [38:28]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
That smell test, you say not with a voter, but when he opened the lead anecdote in the Wall Street Journal profile of the new Chase headquarters in Manhattan opened with Jamie in the new building's pub having a Guinness at like 10 in the morning. So.
- [38:44]
I'm surprised you both rate him so low. If it weren't for Donald Trump and the president there, it's hard to imagine. But do you guys ever talk to him? You ever talked to Jamie Dimon?
- [38:56]
Nomi Kunst
I've been in the room.
- [38:58]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Okay. I'm just, I'm surprised you rate him. I'm surprised you rate him so low because I think, I don't know how he'd do it, but I think he could. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think he could.
- [39:06]
Nomi Kunst
I don't think even people don't know who he is either. I mean, most people, we do in the, in, in the Little. You know, more people.
- [39:12]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
More people know he is than Governor Bashir, who people tell me he's going to be president.
- [39:16]
Nomi Kunst
I don't know. Bashir is very popular in Kentucky. Like. I don't know. Maybe not.
- [39:20]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All right. Do you guys bank with Chase?
- [39:23]
Nomi Kunst
I do, actually.
- [39:23]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
You do? They're pretty, they're pretty easy.
- [39:26]
Nomi Kunst
I wanted. I also do amalgamated, but it's just so easy.
- [39:29]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. Okay. All right. Quick word from a sponsor then to your questions. Raise your hand if you want in on the conversation. And I'm going to start working on a Jamie Dimon 2028 logo just in my spare time in my sketch pad right now. If you want some comfortable clothes that fit well, shirts, denim jeans, flannels. Here's an opportunity to get a big savings. Go to the folks at poncho. Ponchooutdoors.com 2wmm ponchooutdoors.com2wm you don't need a promo code because that takes you right to screen where you can buy what you want. 10% off your $10 off your first order and free shipping for things like their western polo. The comfortable, durable and versatile Hogan Gidley wears their clothes. So do I, therefore, so should you. Right now. Go buy some stuff for yourself as presents. Take it out of the box. You'll see it's comfortable from the get go. They just come like they're pre worn but not in a. Not in like a secondhand thrift shop kind of way. Pre worn, just nice and soft, stretchy, unbelievable. Soft, durable, available to you now. Free exchanges. Make sure you get the right size. Free shipping, free returns. Poncho stands by every shirt they make. Again, go to ponchooutdoors.com 2wmm $10 off free shipping. Tell them that Hogan Gidley sent you even though he didn't in this instance. Robert of Pennsylvania. Welcome in. Robert lives in Pennsylvania, ladies and gentlemen. He is what we call a two way stalwart. And whenever we do a Pennsylvania show, we have to go to Robert because he knows the Poconos like the back of a. Of a cheesesteak. The Lehigh Valley more so Mark, welcome in, sir. Thank you for being part of two way. Tell everybody what's in your mind for no man for Mark. And thank you.
- [41:04]
Robert (Pennsylvania resident and Two Way stalwart)
So we're excited. We're excited the president's coming here. We hard for Ryan McKenzie and Robert Shannon here to defend the house and defend the agenda. Of course, our area has been just ravaged by establishment government, you know, economic policies since the, the 80s. I mean they've. They've sold out our industry from underneath us. You know, I drive by the shadow of Bethlehem Steel all the time. Very envious of the bonuses that everybody got on the other side of the state, Pittsburgh and such. I mean, they're Pennsylvanians, so we love them, too. But it is the other side of the state. So, you know, we're here again trying to push America first, Pennsylvania first. You know, we're the Keystone State for a reason, and I think we're the leverage point, the battleground state.
- [42:00]
You know, poster child for the entire United States here. So we're very excited the president's coming.
- [42:07]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All right, any question or comment? I just wanted to share that.
- [42:09]
Robert (Pennsylvania resident and Two Way stalwart)
No, just wanted to share that. Tonight we're going to fight tooth and nail for, you know, Mackenzie and here. And, you know, we're getting attacked by, you know, Fetterman and Mondami's people and so on and so forth. They're here, but it's going to be street fighting for every single vote, I can promise you that.
- [42:27]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All right, Robert, thank you. Grateful to you. Here's Governor Shapiro, who was on Ms. Now last night talking about his potential aspirations to run for president. Of course, he'll play a key role in bracketing the president today on visits to the state. Here's Governor Shapiro.
- [42:45]
My question is about. In the conversation with Tim, Alberta, are you. Why did you feel the need to correct the record that the vice president put out there or give your, you know, weigh in on it? Is it because you're running for president or you're exploring thinking about a presidential run?
- [43:00]
Governor Josh Shapiro
No, Simone, I was. I was asked for my reaction to a statement that he said the vice president said that simply wasn't true. And I was pointing that out and that, you know, that was. I think it's also important to know that was before the book actually came out and it was represented to me through that author. Look, here's the thing. I've got respect for the former vice president, and I think we do everyone a disservice when we focus on looking backwards. Backwards instead of looking forwards in terms of what we're dealing with every day. With the Trump administration making people's lives more difficult, I'm choosing to fight the battles today against the Trump administration and look forward in ways that hopefully can lift people up, make people's lives better. I think that's what we need to be focused on. Happy to answer your questions, but I think that's our focus. It's got to be looking forward.
- [43:52]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All right, I'M going to want to play 107, which is Governor Shapiro talking about the president, President's visit. But you'll notice he dropped every G. He's, he's like, he's from South Carolina. He doesn't say a single G. Everything's looking, talking, doing. Make of that what you will. 107, please.
- [44:09]
Governor Josh Shapiro
I mean, if he comes to Pennsylvanians views, more BS like he did today at the White House, I think what you're ultimately going to find are people tuning him out because folks can't unsee what they see when they go to the grocery store, which is that beef and OJ and bread and the normal staples that they need in their homes. Those prices have dramatically increased on Donald Trump's watch. And so what you have is a president who seems to want to blame everybody else whose economic policies are failing as a result of his tariffs. Things cost more whether you're at the grocery store or you are farmers. He's putting people out of business as a result of his economic policies. And I think folks are smarter and too smart to believe his rhetoric.
- [44:56]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Know me, if Dick Lugar was a zero on the eve of his presidential bid and Bill Clinton was a 10 in terms of communication and candidate skills, where's Governor Shapiro? Dick Lugar, 0, Bill Clinton, 10. Where is Governor Shapiro in this interview.
- [45:10]
Nomi Kunst
Or just in general?
- [45:10]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
No, in general, as exemplified by, by that interview.
- [45:14]
Nomi Kunst
I think this wasn't one of his strongest interviews, but I'd say he's about, I mean, when he gives a speech, it's great. A little too Obama for me, but I'd say he's like a six and a half. Some room to grow, Mark.
- [45:23]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Six and a half?
- [45:24]
Mark Bednar
I'd say like a nine. He, you can tell this guy is ready to go, but you think his.
- [45:30]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Communication skills is on, is on the border with Bill Clinton in 92 in.
- [45:34]
Mark Bednar
Terms of communication on TV interviews, in.
- [45:38]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Terms of no, just presentation, no presentation skills, ability to go on and drive a message on the economy. Where is he?
- [45:44]
Mark Bednar
I'd say seven or eight. He's tight. He's smart. Like in that instance, he's kind of low energy, but he's still, he can, he can be pretty straightforward. But also to Nomi's point, like the Obama thing, you could even see it like the way he, you know, he kind of speaks with his hands in like little twitchy ways. That was pretty interesting.
- [46:05]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All right, Jason, go ahead.
- [46:07]
Nomi Kunst
Just one thing to add there. He talked about the economy, but he didn't really talk about it like that's. What I felt. The disconnect. You know, you can just rattle off OJ and talk about how inflation is exactly where it was last year at this time. Talk about 50,000 jobs, manufacturing jobs lost and how that affects Pennsylvanians. Like, he's not connecting the dots between the people and the rhetoric, in my opinion.
- [46:29]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I agree. I agree with that. And although I don't read the chat, I glance it. I agree with Professor Ken Kennedy. Kenny OJ Is no longer with us. Jason, welcome in. Thank you for being part of Two Way. Tell folks where you are. What's on your mind for no man.
- [46:40]
Jason
For Mark from Eugene, Oregon. And what's on my mind is I just, I feel like.
- [46:48]
A lot of the pundits really missed out on what really won Trump the election. Was he. Not that they loved Trump, but because he just scared people less than the.
- [46:59]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Democrats at that point in time in 2016 or 24.
- [47:04]
Jason
24.
- [47:05]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yes, sir. Keep going.
- [47:06]
Jason
You know, people are like, oh, you know, it's because of his anti trans ads. Well, it's not because people were against trans. It was because people were against, like trans being in women's locker rooms. Common sense. Right? And so, and then like the border, they, you know, they don't hate Hispanics. They just want a secure border. Right. And so I feel like the Democrats, if they could get somebody up there, that would just be more inspirational and common sense, I think that that would be a plus for the Democratic Party or any party, really. And the Republicans need to realize that they don't love you. You don't have a mandate. You just scared them less. But now you're starting to scare them more than the Democrats. And that left the Democrats at opening to run a normal common sense candidate.
- [47:54]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Interesting. Jason, Mark. And then Naomi, thoughts on what Jason said?
- [47:57]
Mark Bednar
Yeah. Jason, what if, if a Democrat said something that you said that you consider is common sense and kind of an aha moment, what would that, what would that be to you? What would perk your ears up?
- [48:09]
Jason
Well, first of all, they need to come in with a sense of, look, we don't want to isolate you from your family just because your family believes differently than you. We want to bring unity. We want you to go speak to three damn three Republicans and figure out where they, you know, and really just promote like a national unity. And I think that's the one thing that the Democrats scare people, that just scare the hell out of people the most is they, is they're trying to like isolate them. And then the radicalization on the left, it's just it reminds me of like the religious right in the 90s. They're pearl clutchers. It's like, oh, I'm going to cancel this person. Like the religious right did with like Ellen DeGeneres and stuff. Well now if you have a conservative point of view, the pearl clutches on the left.
- [48:58]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
They come for, you know, me, who.
- [49:03]
Nomi Kunst
Of the Democrats and Republicans right now doesn't scare you or doesn't bring out the scare vibes?
- [49:12]
Jason
You know, honestly, I do like Rubio, but I, I advance could stick to his roots and just stick to his roots. There's a lot of people out there that want somebody that is one of them, basically. And the way the Democrats treated him in the election was like, oh, he went to Yale. Yeah. Okay, well, he made good for himself. What was he supposed to do? Stay in that community and you know, and fail with that community? No, he pushed himself forward.
- [49:43]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah.
- [49:43]
Jason
And then on the Democrat side, you know, I think he's building up for a run as a Texas governor and I think that a lot of people are going to laugh, but he's doing all these self help tours and stuff. But I think watch out for Matthew McConaughey at some point in time.
- [49:58]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Oh, Jason, Jason, who do you, who do you feel legitimately cares more authentically about working Americans, AOC or Gavin Newsom?
- [50:09]
Jason
I think AOC hands down. Now I disagree with her policy. Yeah, I, I tend to be like a little bit of center right, libertarian leaning, but I don't doubt that she cares. No, I think that wrong on a lot of stuff, but I have no. Kevin Newsom is just it almost like I feel like he's trying to sell me a used car that isn't going to work in a week.
- [50:32]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah, Jason, super interesting, great perspective. Thank you for being part of Two way and for getting up early. Grateful to you. Okay, here's Alan. Alan, welcome and tell folks who don't know where you are what's on your mind for Mark and for Nomi.
- [50:46]
Ellen
Hey, how are you guys?
- [50:48]
Mark Bednar
Good morning.
- [50:50]
Ellen
I have, I'm in Scottsdale and I.
- [50:53]
Nomi Kunst
Used to live in Scottsdale.
- [50:55]
Ellen
Oh, you did, did, yes.
- [50:56]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Oh, nice.
- [50:57]
Ellen
Well, it's nice. It's probably like 65 degrees right now. So I have a question about the Instagram Australia. Banning Instagram for children and wanted to talk that.
- [51:09]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yes, ma'.
- [51:10]
Jason
Am.
- [51:10]
Ellen
So I have a question and a comment. I was wondering how is that ban being enforced is my question. Does anyone know?
- [51:19]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
I started reading the article and I didn't get that to that part. So I don't. I don't know, but I think maybe you have to register. I don't know. We'll find out. It's a good question. Don't know.
- [51:28]
Ellen
Well, I was wondering, because I think it's Snapchat. Like you're supposed to be 13 to create a Snapchat account, but parents just, you know, the kids just click that, yes, I'm 13. Or the parents just verify it for them. So I'm wondering about that piece of it. And then I was wondering, why isn't there a bigger push to teach children the coping skills that are needed for. When you see.
- [51:57]
Your friends all getting together and you weren't invited, or the bullying starts to happen, or.
- [52:04]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Ellen, do you think schools should do that or parents should do that?
- [52:08]
Ellen
I think a combination of both. As a parent, I have a 21 and 24 year old and you know, they started Instagram in the beginning and I was a constant mantra of.
- [52:22]
You know, teaching them, teaching my girls about how to like, oh, you see, your friends are having a sleepover and you weren't invited. Let's, you know, let's work through that. But I think having something within the schools, because not all parents will do that. And then the drama doesn't stop once they turn 18, let's say, and they can get their accounts.
- [52:44]
They will, they will have to see their friends still doing those things. And then, you know, of course, spilling over into TikTok and understanding the algorithms. So I wonder, is there some way that we can.
- [52:57]
Focus on teaching the skills that they need? Because it's not going away.
- [53:02]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah, it's a great question. And again, some people think no regulation is needed to do this. I think the platforms are so insidious that the algorithms are so powerful. The pervasiveness of them, the peer pressure, there has to be some regulation on the platforms because they'll never do it themselves. Nomi, thoughts on the great framing that Ellen laid out about the challenge?
- [53:23]
Nomi Kunst
It's incredibly concerning and I think the algorithms definitely push people in directions down rabbit holes sometimes. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's very toxic and then, you know, creates a group mentality. But also I'm concerned about, I mean, I think that I was just talking to a teacher yesterday who was working with students applying to college, and she said that the essays were all written with AI and she was deeply concerned that there was an overreliance. But what does that do to your critical thinking if you're starting with AI, you know, in fifth grade or whenever, you know, we already have an issue with critical thinking in this country and with the algorithm and being so extremely partizan. But then you add an AI not being able to write, not being able to do math, not being able to reason. I mean, how easy, easy will it be to use propaganda on this generation when they've grown up in that environment?
- [54:10]
Jason
Mark?
- [54:12]
Mark Bednar
Yeah, I mean, Ellen, it's super interesting. First, my coping mechanism when I'm in Scottsdale is to go to Fox Cigar, which is wonderful. But I think you bring up a really important point. Like, there is a broader national conversation on both sides. Like, we have not, you know, Facebook's now, what, like 20 years old, you know, we still haven't come to grips with its impact and its reach and what it does to young minds. And, you know, the. Like, forget like the. Of course there's the massive radicalization of, you know, of politics that, you know, we talk about every day. But what it actually does to kids, like, that is something that, you know, that should be a daily conversation. You know, it is amongst parents, so it should be amongst policymakers too. I told you, I totally agree. It's a big concern. And how we grapple with it, that's not gonna be solved overnight.
- [55:03]
Ellen
Yeah. And I think it's not only teaching the kids the coping skills. Adults need it too. A lot of people struggle with Facebook adults. And one thing I wondered was, for the kids or the teenagers, if they had Instagram accounts, I wonder what would happen if they turned off the ability to like and comment. Yeah, like, if that was, you know, at least as a beginning, so you wouldn't see. Oh, I only got so many likes.
- [55:31]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Yeah. There is a version of Instagram that is for kids and it's their accommodation. And I think that's one of the features. I might be wrong, but I think that is one of the features, Ellen, I want you to know, in coping in Scottsdale, which you think opens first this morning in a few hours, Fox Cigar or In N Out Burger, which would you say would open for.
- [55:48]
Ellen
Oh, I'm sure In N Out Burger's already open.
- [55:50]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
No Internet. It doesn't open until 10:30 local. And. But Fox cigar opens at 10. So how do you know this? Yeah, I just. I just looked. I just looked while we were talking. So you can go buy fox cigar, spend 26 minutes perusing the merchandise, and then you got four minutes to get to the closest in and out burger. And if you Google map it, that's a reasonable. Even with the Scottsdale traffic, it's a reasonable morning Ellen, thank you for joining. Great.
- [56:15]
Ellen
Thank you.
- [56:16]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
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Sorry, lost my place. I'm going to tell you the promo code in just a second. And the extraordinary discount. You get 30% off chef IQ.com promo code 2 WMM right now Chef IQ Sense Wireless Cooking Thermometer available to you at the extraordinary discount of 30% off. You can save by going to the website. Promo code 2WIM.chefiq.com thank you for your attention to this matter. All right, let's plan out our coverage for tonight like the morning meeting would do in a network news division. Let's say the President starts at 6. 10. My show starts at 6. I'm inclined to do what I call Mystery Political Science Theater, where I listen to the president talk and respectfully, when he's pausing or talking about Marjorie Taylor Greene, my guests and I can kind of jump in and annotate what's happening. So that's option one. Option two is just to take it live like we're C SPAN and just let it play out. And assuming he takes the whole hour, that would be the entire show. But number three would be just ignore the president and not cover it. Those are our choices. Mark Nomi, be two way executives here. Moynihan reports on at seven. He'll probably go into that, and he might not start till seven. But Mark, if he starts during my show, what would you advise I do?
- [58:15]
Mark Bednar
Mystery Science Theater. 3000.
- [58:17]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
3000. Mystery Political science Theater. That's what we call it.
- [58:21]
Mark Bednar
Genius. Yes.
- [58:22]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
So you do that. Okay. Yep. Nomi, what do you think?
- [58:26]
Nomi Kunst
First off, I think you need a show called Mystery Political Science Theater.
- [58:29]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Oh, believe me, it's on the development site. Slate. Yeah.
- [58:32]
Nomi Kunst
I love it. I love it.
- [58:33]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
We've done it. We've done it before. We've done it. We've done some pilots of it. You know, you got to be respectful, right. You don't want to be talking over the President. But, but we like to say conversations like no other. And if you, if you're watching on C Span or Fox or whoever's taking it live, you know, you listen to a lot of dead air. A lot of Marjorie Taylor Greene or some people call her Marjorie Trader Brown. But, but this gives people, you know, kind of a running commentary. And, and of course, the two Way community with, in a smackless manner would be commenting in the chat. So you'd have a, you'd have a different experience. And, and again, we say conversations like no other. Again, two way tonight is on this evening. Join me at 6:00 clock regardless of, of what's up with the present and whether that episode becomes mystery Political science Theater. And then, and then at seven o', clock, Michael Moynihan, the Moynihan Report. So the two more two Ways tonight. And somebody's going to remind me because I know we've got at least one person booked for Two Way tonight. Somebody's gonna remind me who that is. It's gone, right?
- [59:29]
Mark Bednar
Matt Whitlock.
- [59:30]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
It is Matt Whitlock. Thank you, Mark. Matt Whitlock, former Capitol Hill aide, the man who was present when Orrin Hatch and I did Rock Em Sock Em Robots. We all familiar, familiar with that moment in American history. And he's got his own podcast. What's Matt Whitlock's podcast called? Mark, that's like the 10 minute. It's called like the 10 minute something. Yeah. Anyway, Matt Litlock and someone else, TBD will join me tonight. Yes, you knocked my blog off. Thank you. Anyway, very grateful to all of you for joining. And we're gonna, we're gonna be back tomorrow. Nomi and Mark, I don't believe either of you is with us tomorrow. So grateful to you for joining Nomi. What advice would you give other people? Guest hosting the morning meeting? What are some do's and don'ts?
- [60:15]
Nomi Kunst
At least the morning before, I used to host a morning show and actually two morning shows and it was always get up early, drink your coffee, read as much news as possible, listen to the news, watch the news and do some jumping jacks.
- [60:30]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All good. I did most of that. Mark, what's your advice to your predecessor, your successors coming?
- [60:35]
Mark Bednar
Make sure you have nothing in your teeth.
- [60:38]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
That's key.
- [60:38]
Mark Bednar
That's short and sweet.
- [60:40]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
Later today, next up, it'll drop as a podcast and on YouTube. My reported monologue is on the political pieces of the Warner Brothers Discovery takeover battle. It's obviously a huge business story. It's a huge consumer story, a huge entertainment story. But the political, the politics of it's interesting. And I've been talking to smart people in both parties about where they see the politics of this going, what it means in the short term, in the medium and the long term, because there's a lot going on here on the political front. And then I'll be joined by David Ignatius, legendary Washington Post editor and columnist and a great reporter about this Ukraine story and what happens, what's happening between the president, Europe, and what happens if the president chooses to walk away because the Ukrainians and the Russians can't make peace? So that drops later today. And then I'll be back tomorrow with two great other new guest hosts join and you'll see who's coming. But we're grateful to you for being here, everybody, and grateful Mark and Naomi for joining us for Monday, Tuesday. So thank you both very much.
- [61:39]
Nomi Kunst
Thank you, guys.
- [61:40]
Host (possibly a senior political correspondent or anchor)
All right. Have a great day, everybody. We'll see you at 6:00 and hopefully the president will start on time and we'll have some good plan for covering it. Have a great day, everybody.
- [61:48]
Mark Bednar
Sounds great.
- [61:49]
Nomi Kunst
Take care.