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Ken Mears
Hi, I'm Ken Mears, founder of Great healthworks, the makers of Omega xl. Are you suffering from daily aches, pains in your joints? Then try Omega XL. It's a natural drug free supplement and is 16 times more potent than standard fish oil and it's easy to swallow with no fishy aftertaste. OmegaXL works.
John Walsh
Visit OmegaXL.com getmore now for OmegaXL Spogo Special. That's less than $20 a bottle. Remember, there's a 60 day money back guarantee. Terms apply. Visit OmegaXcel.com getmore broadcasting live from the.
Jack Armstrong
Abraham Lincoln radio Studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty.
Joe Getty
Armstrong and Getty.
Jack Armstrong
And now here's Armstrong and Getty.
Joe Biden
I really am concerned about how fragile democracy is. I guess what I'm worried about is that the thing that keeps it on track are the guardrails. There's a Supreme Court that's independent but not but accountable. There's a Congress that you speak your mind but you're held accountable to basic standards. There's a presidency that says you have really limited powers. I mean, you're the top dog, but you're not. You can't dictate everything. And I don't know, they seem to just seem to be chipping away at all those elements.
Joe Getty
Why is the least popular president outside of Nixon in 60 years doing so many exit interviews? People hate you. Why don't you just quietly go away?
Jack Armstrong
Desperate need to take one last shot at burnishing his legacy, I guess. Quick note before we get into the meat of this topic. Michael in Washington State writes, evidently last yesterday I made reference to Biden and his advisors in his farewell speech. And Michael suggests the new nickname, Dead and company his advisors. That's disrespectful, Michael. It's a bad idea.
Joe Getty
Disrespectful to John Mayer, maybe.
Jack Armstrong
Bob, where?
Joe Getty
So I'm going to just read here. This is going to be a segment where I just read this article's super long and I just came across it 15 minutes ago and it's out in the New York Times today and I've had a chance to highlight it. I'm going to read. Joe's going to comment as we go. The New York Times has interviewed over a dozen people with knowledge of this article is based on interviews with a dozen people who participated in the private push getting Biden out of office. This is one of the first big articles on this to come out yet. You know, three days before he leaves office. The headline in today in the nyt. I'm urging you not to run. How Schumer pushed Biden to drop out. And I've just started reading and I'm finding it fascinating, so I hope you will.
Jack Armstrong
Great.
Joe Getty
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York sat in the foyer of President Biden's beach house. Tired, intense. He had not slept at all the night before. And on the four hour drive from Brooklyn to Delaware, he had rehearsed out loud what he planned to say, reviewing note cards as he prepared for what he thought might be the most high stakes speech he would ever give to an audience of one. I'm already wrapped.
Jack Armstrong
Wow.
Joe Getty
It was the afternoon of July 13th, a humid summer afternoon just before 4:00. And Schumer, the Democratic leader of the Senate, was about to make a blunt case to Joe Biden that he needed to drop his bid for a second term. If there were a secret ballot Among Democratic senators, Mr. Schumer would tell the president no more than five would say he should continue running. Ooh, five out of 52. Or whatever it was at the time. Mr. Biden's own pollsters assessed that he had about a 5% chance of prevailing against Donald Trump. Mr. Schumer would tell him information that was apparently news to the President. The pollsters were saying you have a 5% chance of winning. They weren't telling Joe that. They were telling all the other Democrats that. What the hell?
Jack Armstrong
You pointed this out yesterday that. Well, number one, it's just mind blowing that the President's advisors were keeping the polls from him and carefully curating which headlines he saw. I mean, that's just, it's scary. And how clear it is that they're like, if he sees this, he's not going to run again. Then I'll have to go find a job. Hey, there's a chance he gets reelected and I keep my gig, so let's just keep the news from him. I mean, that is some serious puppetry.
Joe Getty
God. I'd say if the President refused to step aside, the Senator would argue the consequences for Democrats. And Biden's own legacy after a half century would be catastrophic.
Jack Armstrong
Correct.
Joe Getty
If you run and you lose to Trump and we lose the Senate and we don't get back the House, you will go down in America as one of the darkest figures. Whoa.
Jack Armstrong
Happened anyway. But it would have been certain if he'd run.
Joe Getty
That's a heck of a thing to say. Schumer would end with a directive. If I were you, I wouldn't run. I'm urging you not to run. The roughly 45 minute conversation, which took place on a screened in porch overlooking a pond, was more pointed and emotional than previously known and helps to explain how Mr. Biden came to the decision just over a week later to end his campaign. Um, they lay out the, all the people that they talked to, the knowledge they had. These, these are all people close to the, the whole deal. Uh. When Schumer arrived at Mr. Biden's beach house that summer day, he could hear the president shouting. Mr. Biden was finishing up a contentious zoom call with a small group of lawmakers who were expressing their concerns about his viability as a candidate, and his back was up. This was exactly the kind of scenario Schumer had been hoping to avoid from the past three weeks. As he stalled for time and dragged his feet about having this awkward conversation at all, he worried that the famously stubborn President would feel cornered and dig in more. For months, Schumer had been concerned that Biden was going to lose to Trump and cost Democrats Congress. Now listen to this part and you tell me what's going on here. It wasn't that he thought Biden was not capable of doing the job. During their weekly conversations, the President often rambled, but he had always rambled. Once in a while, Biden would forget why he had called, but Schumer thought little of it. He was convinced that Biden could handle the job. How is that freaking possible?
Jack Armstrong
How are those sentences part of the same paragraph?
Joe Getty
Is he only saying that to the New York Times or whoever he's talking to? Because he'd be like a bad American.
Jack Armstrong
If he admitted well, and because he was swearing up and down to anybody who would listen that the President was more than capable of handling the job at the time. So he's now, because obviously he and his people are leaking all this stuff. He is trying somehow to thread the needle of this stuff being true, and yet he's not a big fat stinking liar. Good luck threading that needle, Chucky boy.
Joe Getty
He was uncomfortable with giving unsolicited advice to the Commander in Chief about his future. Schumer, like every other Democrat in position of power at the time, had chosen to do nothing. So when Biden bombed during his June 27 debate with Trump, Schumer regarded it as something of, as a, of a gift, a forcing mechanism to start an overdue discussion about the President's political viability. I remember talking the next day about how we thought, there's a whole bunch of Democrats are like, yes, finally, finally, it's out in the open. We don't have to pretend anymore. As opposed to. Well, I don't. Let me read this for you. That night, the night of the debate, about two dozen House Democrats, including Hakeem Jeffries, who is now the or is the minority leader, gathered for a watch party in the community room of the Washington luxury apartment, blah, blah, blah, where they all live.
Jack Armstrong
That was a gas. Can you imagine?
Joe Getty
But the festive atmosphere dissipated, dissipated immediately after Mr. Biden, pale and horse, shuffled onto the stage in Atlanta and began stumbling through his answers. By the end of the 90 minute debate, I got to believe by the end of the first five minutes, like all of the rest of America.
Jack Armstrong
Oh, yeah.
Joe Getty
Those who had been able to bear sticking around were in a panic. Lots of people left. I got to someplace I gotta go.
Jack Armstrong
Nothing mattered after that first five minutes.
Joe Getty
Mr. Jeffries had a motto he often shared with his caucus. I've never heard this before. Calm is an intentional decision. He tried to channel it that night even as his internal alarm alarm bears bells were ringing and colleagues were telling him they could not possibly win their seats with Mr. Biden at the top of the ticket. We got to process it all, see where we are tomorrow morning and we'll come up with a game, game plan. Calm is an intentional decision.
Jack Armstrong
I like that.
Joe Getty
Yeah, I'd like that, too.
Jack Armstrong
And he was absolutely right to tell everybody, hey, hey, hey, calm down. We'll talk tomorrow. We're not going to solve it right now.
Joe Getty
Schumer, who was at a fundraiser in California during the debate, had a similar message for the donors he saw that night. We'll have to see, he said vaguely.
Jack Armstrong
We'll have to see what? What are we gonna do?
Joe Getty
Well, we'll have to see.
Jack Armstrong
You know what, we could have. You know what would have been great theater if we'd thought of it. Of course, we just came across. This is Sprinkle in various clips from the debate about then we killed Medicare. Just to remind you of how astounding it was, how awful, embarrassing.
Joe Getty
Many powerful people had seen enough, says the New York Times. That night, Mr. Schumer's flip phone started ringing and it wouldn't stop for days. Donors, members of Congress, union bosses, even strangers who fished his number out of a Harvard reunion book, recalling pleading with him to tell Biden to get out of the race. Hey, Chuck, I know you don't remember me. We played the high school football together, but come on, dude. Schumer had one simple message for everyone who called him. Do not be public, he said. That will get his backup and you have got to let the dust settle. But if you can call whoever you know in the campaign, call the White House. That's interesting.
Jack Armstrong
Protect the president's dignity or we're not going to be able to get him out. That's why all of those, I mean, just crazy over the top, the most impactful one term president in American history. He should be on Mount Rushmore. He's been more transformative than blah, blah, blah. All that stuff is absolutely laughable. But it served that that strategy.
Joe Getty
Some lawmakers thought waiting was the wrong strategy. Representative Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland, chose at first the first to go the private route, sending a letter to Biden on July 6 encouraging him to leave the race. One of Biden's top advisors, Steve Rachetti, assured Mr. Raskin that the President, the first lady had both read the letter. Biden planned to call him, but the president never did. So then he released a letter publicly, if you remember that, saying, I think the president, he was the first person to break, remember. Then it started adding up. Then you hear every day doesn't work.
Jack Armstrong
He wakes up next to a German shepherd's head in his bed. It's a message, forget about it.
Joe Getty
It's a message he's in the doghouse.
Jack Armstrong
The message is the Secret Service is tired of getting bit by your damn dog.
Joe Getty
Again, I'm reading this up more or less on the fly. I'm sure there's more good stuff in here I can look over and bring to you.
Jack Armstrong
I'm loving it.
Joe Getty
I know it's good.
Jack Armstrong
It's amazing. You know what though? Speaking of the Godfather, the sequel is going to be better than the original in that the, the next chapter has got to be the wrangling over the course of was it a week, 10 days where we as a country and the Democratic Party went from, well, the vice president is a moron. So the one thing we're not gonna do is just trot her out automatically. And a week and a half later, it was like, the great visionary leader Kamala will take us into our future and we don't need a primary. She's such a wizard. She must be the nominee. How did that happen? What did those discussions sound like?
Joe Getty
No kidding.
Jack Armstrong
Said what?
Joe Getty
I got one more nugget for you before we take a break. But NFL action this weekend, fantastic. Especially that Bill's Baltimore game. That is going to be something. Can't wait to watch that.
Jack Armstrong
You're counting out those teams that are one shot or one touchdown underdogs. Jack, I said don't do it. There could be some major surprises.
Joe Getty
Perhaps.
Jack Armstrong
But can you. Yes. Can you predict whether a couple of players or more will exceed the statistical projection for them or do less than that? That's all you have to do for prize Picks. Super easy and fun.
Joe Getty
I'm going less than Lamar Jackson. He can't handle the big spotlight. That's my. That's my talking head sports guy. Take anyway.
Jack Armstrong
Good. Good stuff.
Joe Getty
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Jack Armstrong
Yes, we have done this. You play a $5 lineup, they give you $50 to play around with. Simple as that. You don't need to win. Download the Prize Picks app today. Use that Code Armstrong to get that $50 bonus. Skin. Prize Picks Use the Code Armstrong Prize Picks. Run your game.
Joe Getty
Okay, when we come back, I could get in a little more of this article. It's got what Barack Obama said the night after the debate at a fundraiser and then starting the Kamala Harris conversation, which is interesting. Among other things we've got coming up like the whole TikTok Supreme Court ruling and how that factors into everything. Stay with us.
Jack Armstrong
Also. Also a couple of things real quick. Unbelievable 911 call. Dramatic, just mind blowing. And a compare and contrast. California and insurance crises and Florida and insurance crises. Leadership matters, man.
Joe Getty
Stay with us man. It's a six pound show and a five pound bag.
John Walsh
Armstrong and Getty Hi, I'm John Walsh here for omegaxl. Do you suffer from muscle pain and soreness due to overuse, daily activities, exercise or aging like I do? Do you feel it in your back, your neck, knees or joints? I know I did. I finally found a solution. It's Omega xl, a clinically proven natural drug free supplement that helps relieve daily joint pain and muscle so soreness. Omega XL delivers results you can feel. Made with a proprietary oil extract from green lipped mussels, it's a powerful super oil with no fishy aftertaste, small and easy to swallow and is 16 times more potent than standard fish oil. Omega XL has been trusted by millions for over two decades and is backed by 40 years of science and clinical research. Don't let joint aches prevent you from doing the thing things you love.
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Joe Biden
I got A lot of criticism. Understandably, we've invested more in red states than blue states.
Joe Getty
That's in this book, that's in this.
Joe Biden
Report for two reasons. One, red states really screwed up in terms of the way they handle their economy and the way they handle manufacturing. The way they handle access to supply chains.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, red states are just screwed up. They have no idea how to manage their business. Thanks, Uncle Joe.
Joe Getty
So we've been reading through this New York Times article. It's like the rough draft of history where people are starting to speak about how the whole thing went down, pushing Joe Biden out. And it's pretty damned interesting. And I was reading more of it during the break and gotta roll on. So we did it last segment. If you missed it, get the podcast Armstrong and Getty on demand. The debate had just happened. All the Democrats are in a. In a panic. Chuck Schumer, the majority leader at the time of the Senate, saved his frank conversations for Hakeem Jeffries and former President Barack Obama. On June 29, the night after the debate, Jeffries was scheduled to participate in a fundraiser in New York where he was to interview Obama in front of an audience in a fireside chat, sort of setting. At a brief dinner meeting before the event, Mr. Obama suggested addressing the elephant in the room right off the top, because you got to. Obama's smart enough to understand that we can't go out there and pretend this didn't happen last night.
Jack Armstrong
He's got great instincts. Love him or hate him.
Joe Getty
On stage, the former president told the crowd that bad debates happened. And while this one had greatly complicated the situation, Democrats had to find a way to power through it. Then they took no questions about it. Oof.
Jack Armstrong
Well, he was trying to defend the indefensible. I guess that's as good as you can do.
Joe Getty
Privately, Hakeem Jeffries began working to persuade people, the White House chief of staff and others that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a superior candidate to Biden. So that's ground zero, patient zero for how that whole thing started.
Jack Armstrong
He's Hearst Bengali, I see.
Joe Getty
Yeah. Hakeem Jeffries said. We don't have data at this moment. The most, but the most powerful narrative in American politics is changed. Vice President Harris would represent change. Others rejected that sentiment. And so it just kind of, you know, nothing happened there for a little while. We can get through it. We think our allies in the Hill are wrong, said the chief of staff. Schumer spoke with Biden and pressed him to do more to. I love this part. To counter the narrative that he was not up to continuing in the race. He didn't tell him to drop out. Mr. President, Schumer said, the only way you're going to save this is to show up day in, day out with unscripted town halls and people will be able to smell if it's spontaneous and it will show that the debate was a one off. I think Schumer knew he couldn't do it. That's what I think. Yes.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, I think he said you were terrible, but not so terrible. Everybody's agreeing with me, so go out and be terrible some more.
Joe Getty
The chief of staff told Mr. Schumer that the president would put doubters at ease when he participated in a news conference after the NATO summit in D.C. next week. Schumer screamed, that's not even close to good enough. Still, Schumer held back Democratic senators who wanted to publicly call on Biden to step aside, even though he agreed with their assessment that they should. It'll only make things worse and we're not ready. He had half of the Democratic senators wanted to come forward and say he's got to go and Schumer held them back. There's much more to this. I suggest going to the New York Times site and reading it. There's a lot more screaming behind closed doors and all that sort of stuff. Pretty damn interesting.
Jack Armstrong
And exactly what we suspected was going on behind the scenes as they, you know, tried to portray a calmness and, you know, it's fine. It was a bad night.
Joe Getty
I didn't get to the Obama saying I can't call him because we have such a bad relationship. So they had such a bad relationship from when Obama going way back to when Obama endorsed Hillary before Joe Biden had a chance to even run. And so they have a really bad relationship which has been, you know, hinted at and everything like that, but never stated that as clearly as it is in the New York Times today.
Jack Armstrong
Well, and picture yourself as Hakeem Jeffries who want wanted Biden out in the pry bar you're using is the genius Kamala Harris. I mean, that's rough.
Joe Getty
How about Obama saying, I can't call.
Jack Armstrong
Him, he hates me, confirming yet another rumor.
Joe Getty
Right?
Jack Armstrong
Well, Leadership Matters, comparing and contrasting California and Florida will do that in an unbelievable 911 call. All coming up ar strong and Getty.
Ken Mears
Hello, my name is Ken Mears, founder of Great Healthworks, the maker of Omega xl. Folks, if you're searching for an answer to your daily aches, pains and soreness, then try Omega xl. It's A natural product sourced from a green lip muscle, this oil extract is one of the most powerful natural joint relief super oils in the world. This one of a kind extract is not found in any other product and is backed by over 440 years of clinical research showing that Omega XL provides relief from joint pain due to inflammation. Stop living in pain. Inflammation is controllable, it's manageable and it's fixable. Importantly, Omega XL is small, easy to swallow, with no fishy aftertaste and it works. We've put over 20 years into this quality brand, ensuring that Omega XL makes a difference in your life. Try it and you won't be disappointed.
John Walsh
Visit OmegaXL.com Try it now for Omega XL's BOGO special. That's less than $20 a bottle. Remember, there's a 60 day money back guarantee. Terms apply. Visit OmegaXL.com Try It.
Joe Getty
Is she strong enough to do this or you couldn't carry my husband out of a fire, which My response is he got himself in the wrong place. If I have to carry him out of a fire.
Jack Armstrong
That'S. I think that's the LF lafds Chief Diversity Officer explaining that if you're complaining that a woman firefighter isn't strong enough, well, you shouldn't be in a fire, which is DEI for you.
Joe Getty
That's a weird response.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, I'd say. Did you want to put a little exclamation point on our discussion of Joe Biden and senility and trying to get rid of them and the rest of it?
Joe Getty
Maybe a tease ahead in hour four, I'll get back into that New York Times article that just hit today. I also think I've figured out who the main source is. It's got to be Nancy Pelosi. She doesn't like that narrative that she's the one who pushed him out. It looks way more like Chuck Schumer is the guy who pushed Joe Biden out. And she's thinking, why is everybody talking about me pushing him out? It wasn't me, it was Chuck. I'll bet she's the source for all this information because Chuck was telling her everything that was going on. Anyway, this New York Times article is pretty interesting. We'll get back into it now. Or 4. The main takeaway to me is Joe Biden was very poorly served by the people close to him. They were keeping him completely in the dark. Not only has he got dementia, they weren't telling him the truth at all.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, which is scary, I admit. Well. Well, we'll discuss it Next hour. Fair enough. Sounds good. Getting to that fabulous 911 call. Really interesting next segment. Wanted to just hit you with this. I'll summarize it the best I can. It's. It's an unbelievable and really useful compare and contrast of California and Florida by the Wall Street Journal's editorial board in terms of their insurance markets. And it's obviously a decent comparison. You've got giant states, coastal states, populous states, states that are prone to natural disasters. And they make the point that in 1945 a big act was passed that says states regulate insurance. And the systems worked relatively well over 80 years. But some states have done a better job of managing their markets than others. California and Florida provide an illustrative contrast. Democratic insurance commissioners in the Golden State have for years suppressed rates. We've been talking about this. California was the only state of the 50 that prohibited carriers from using current catastrophe models to project disaster risk and also to price reinsurance costs into their premiums. Reinsurance just means the insurance companies have insurance in case the worst happens. They've been paying a different company to help them out if the poo really hits the fan. That's what reinsurance is anyway. So wildfires, which absolutely have been exacerbated by the poor land management in California. It's not the whole story, but it's part of it. They've swelled insurer claims and liabilities. Insurance companies are paying out A$9 for every dollar they collect. It's obviously not sustainable. They've curbed their exposure in part by dropping thousands of policyholders in high risk areas and just leaving the market. Californians already know this. California has a state insurer of last Resort. It's called FAIR. It's an acronym. Their liabilities have exploded about $460 billion to almost tripled. It has tripled in a few years. And yet they have incredibly little cash on hand. And not to get too far into the technicalities of this, but if FAIR goes bust, the deal is insurance customers are going to pay like super high rates to bail it out. Private customers. It, it reminds me a little bit of how if you have private health insurance, you pay many multiples what Medicare folks pay for a particular procedure. It's just, it's completely distorted. Yet Insurance Commissioner ricardo Laura rejected FAIR's proposed rate increases while also saying you have to cover homes worth up to $3 million. Fair president Victoria Roach told the state assembly last year that the insurer in 2021 requested a 49% rate increase. It needed 70% to be fiscally sound, but will settle for 49%. They were granted 16%. So fair is under capitalized. Had only $700 million in cash on hand as of last year. 700 million and a liability of 460 billion. Great system.
Joe Getty
I'm just curious what happens for people with homes that cost over $3 million? Because in California, lots of areas that's not hard to do. For those of you around the country, I could show you neighborhoods with two, $3 million homes. You need to think these are $2 million homes.
Jack Armstrong
Are you serious? Yeah. Yeah. It's crazy. Yeah. I don't know, actually. I suppose you could get like a supplemental policy at very high cost from some. Wow, you know, Lloyd's of London or something like that. The secondary insurance market. Anyway, so to prevent more insurers from leaving the state, Lara last month finally let carriers price in their reinsurance cost and use catastrophe models. But he also capped the reinsurance costs. And I'm not going to get into the technicalities, but. So it means that insurers might not cover all of the fire damage. Homeowners will face hefty rebuilding costs. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency covers losses of homeowners are underinsured. Which means taxpayers in Houston and Little Rock may pay for rebuilding multimillion dollar homes in California. And if Thayer becomes insolvent, as it's looking like it might, all insurers in California, meaning their customers, are on the hook for its claims. Homeowners could see rates rise by three thousands of dollars per year per homeowner. That's California. In Florida, in striking contrast, Republicans headed off an insurance market death spiral caused by litigation abuse. State law, it allowed policyholders to assign their claim benefits to contractors working with trial lawyers. Contractors would inflate charges and shoe and sue insurers if they rejected them, setting up a costly claim by claim battle. Insurers lost hundreds of millions of dollars a year. More than a dozen failed between 20 and 22. Others left the market because litigation costs made it difficult to obtain reinsurance. And they had an insurer of last resort too, that was in danger of collapsing. Enter Governor Ron DeSantis, who could certainly be the next president. Who knows who championed tort reforms in 22 and 23 that have stanced the flood of frivolous lawsuits stabilized the market and reduced their last resort guys exposure. According to the Florida Office of insurance regulation, nine insurers have since reentered the market. 60% of Florida's top 10 carriers have expanded their business in the state. 40% have filed for rate decreases. And the average monthly request for rate increases is now just over 1% compared to 14% a few years ago. If not for Mr. DeSantis reforms, last year's hurricane might have toppled citizens. And finally, they conclude federalizing the US Insurance market, which some people are in favor of, would create a moral hazard and discourage state reforms. Rather than protecting California's Democrats from the costs of their blunders, Republicans should point to Florida.
Joe Getty
That's a good idea, man.
Jack Armstrong
Governance matters. Policy matters.
Joe Getty
Well, in California, that's one of the reasons I'm still a renter, is where insurance prices were compared to where they're going to be next year. Who knows?
Jack Armstrong
Yeah. Especially if this fair thing crashes and burns, right?
Joe Getty
Oh, my God.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, I know. I know, and I hear you. In the other 49 states, like, why don't the voters vote differently? Kind of a long, complicated answer. Major factors. Iraq war, being sold on, the idea that securing the border is racist. That's going away. And more than anything, the many hundreds of thousands of public employee union members who always vote for whoever's going to butter their bread, they are a practically. Including the teachers and the nurses and several other big, not public employee unions, I guess teachers are. But they're practically an insurmountable political force because California is so corrupt.
Joe Getty
Yeah. Our friend Lon Hee Chan, who got more Republican votes in the 22 election than any Republican in America, including Ron DeSantis, and still lost in California, endorsed.
Jack Armstrong
By every major newspaper in the state, said, hey, you gotta vote for this Republican. He's crazy sharp, including liberal newspapers. And he still lost because what I'm talking about.
Joe Getty
Right. And he says to us privately, and I don't think he would mind us saying this, that it ain't gonna get better anytime soon. I mean, it's just. It's a mess. It's broken.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah.
Joe Getty
That's disturbing.
Jack Armstrong
Great scenery, though.
Joe Getty
Yeah. Yeah. If it ain't on fire falling into the full, it ain't falling into the sea.
Jack Armstrong
Right, Right. Oh, speaking of good news, blessedly, Kristi Gnome has assassinated no dogs thus far in Washington, D.C. during her confirmation hearing.
Joe Getty
Do I understand that nobody's brought up the dog shooting in the confirmation hearing today? Hansen Joe was predicting that that would be something somebody would work in, so.
Jack Armstrong
Oh, it's a must, huh?
Joe Getty
I wonder how come they're going gloves off the dog shooting.
Jack Armstrong
Well, and I'm not in favor at all. Understand, I'm. I'm not speaking of myself. I'm speaking in terms of the sort of poop show that these hearings are As a Maisie Heroni who's clearly the dumbest person in either house of Congress doesn't Is she not on the committee to bring up the dog?
Joe Getty
Well, if Tim Kaine was going to lecture the SEC deaf guy you call yourself free and clear, you cheated on your wife with a pregnant blah blah blah. I mean, if he's going to do that, why wouldn't you go with the dog shooting?
Jack Armstrong
Well, if I was Maisie Heroni, I would.
Joe Getty
Anyway, we got this 911 call. Pretty cool story about a 911 operator really handling a complicated situation well, among other things on the way Stay here.
Ken Mears
Armstrong and Getty hello, my name is Ken Mears, founder of Great healthworks, the maker of Omega xl. Folks, if you're searching for an answer to your daily aches, pains and soreness, then try Omega xl. It's a natural product sourced from a green lip muscle. This oil extract is one of the most powerful natural joint relief super oils in the world. This one of a kind extract is not found in any other product and is backed by over 40 years of clinical research showing that Omega XL provides provides relief from joint pain due to inflammation. Stop living in pain. Inflammation is controllable, it's manageable and it's fixable. Importantly, Omega XL is small, easy to swallow with no fishy aftertaste. And it works. We've put over 20 years into this quality brand, ensuring that Omega XL makes a difference in your life. Try it and you won't be disappointed.
John Walsh
Visit OmegaXL.com Try it now for OmegaXL's BOGO special. That's less than $20 a bottle. Remember, there's a 60 day money back guarantee. Terms apply. Visit OmegaXL.com Try It Breaking inauguration News.
Joe Getty
I was wondering how cold was it when I was there for the 2017 inauguration of Donald J. Trump? Because it was unpleasant, it was rainy, but it was 48 degrees at noon that day. They're expecting a feels like of 8 for this Monday and that's why they just announced they're moving it inside, which really sucks if you're planning on being there. I don't know if you still get a couple hundred thousand people gathering out to watch it on TV screens or what, but it definitely ain't the same thing.
Jack Armstrong
Well, in January 7th of 23 many people were saying President or Trump will be president again when hell freeze is over.
Joe Getty
Apparently it's happened other than one time and they moved it inside. In 1985 for Reagan it was 7 degrees other than that, it would be the coldest it's ever been for an inauguration, so.
Jack Armstrong
Well, that's losing flesh from frostbite cold. Sure, if you're out there for hours.
Joe Getty
Yeah.
Jack Armstrong
Because his length of exposure matters. I wonder. Doesn't matter. The pomp and circumstance is interesting and fun and speaks to our peaceful transfer power. And it's cool, but it's not the presidency. It's like the difference between your wedding and your marriage.
Joe Getty
Good one.
Jack Armstrong
Anyway, thank you. I'm here all week, so this is really quite interesting. This happened in London. It is a 911 call, or their equivalent of it. The. The London police put this out. They have an actor portraying the crime victim, but the rest of it is 100% percent authentic and I think it's pretty self explanatory. Go ahead, Michael.
G
Hello, police? What's the emergency? Pizza delivery. Pizza delivery. Okay. Do you require pizza delivery or do you require the police? If it's the police, say yes.
Joe Getty
Yes.
G
Okay. Is the person. Is the person that's scaring you at the property now? No problem. Police are coming. Okay. Have they got any weapons? Answer yes or no. If. If he threatened to hurt you, tell me pepperoni. If you threatened to hurt the children, tell me cheese. Hey. The police will be with you very, very shortly. Okay? All right. If you need to call back 999, keep in a separate room for him from him for the moment.
Joe Getty
All right.
G
If I stay on the phone any longer, it will look suspicious if you're calling for a pizza. Okay. Okay. Police will be with you very soon.
Joe Getty
Wow.
Jack Armstrong
The kid was kind of yelling over it, but she said we've got to cut this off because it would seem too weird if you're on the phone too long. But the cops are on their way. Get to a separate room.
Joe Getty
Wow, that's some good training. We've played some bad 911 operators over the years. Terrible, but that was some fantastic training. Yeah, I'd say she knew exactly how to handle it.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah. And the Metropolitan Police put out the word, hey, you can. You can cough, you can tap keys. Our operators will find a way for you to communicate with us even if you can't speak. That's some good police work.
Joe Getty
Yeah. Interesting.
Jack Armstrong
They don't say exactly how it came out. I suspect it came out well, otherwise they would not have released that. On a completely different topic, we're talking a bit about the end, thank God, of the Biden administration. The fabulous Nellie Bowles, writing in the free press, was talking about his soul sucking farewell address the other night with his ominous warnings about dark forces, billionaires exerting too much influence on American politics. She quotes him as saying, today an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms. A fair shot for everyone to get ahead. I don't think it is. But anyway, Nelly writes, I agree there's a new oligarchy of rich people who manipulate our political landscape. And I for one am glad that our president finally sees the danger of Mackenzie Scott. That's the former Mrs. Bezos and George Soros. Billionaire political donors propping up untold numbers of causes. He's never criticized Mackenzie Scott, but I'm sure he was thinking of her, the woman who's thrown $19 billion at activist nonprofits trying to sway American politics. I'm sure when he just recently gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to George Soros, he was thinking, this is the dangerous oligarch I will speak of soon.
Joe Getty
That's hilarious.
Jack Armstrong
You know, look, I understand politics, I understand messaging. I understand that you're not obligated to give the full story all the time if you're trying to persuade people, but try not to be so obviously hilariously a hypocrite.
Joe Getty
I don't know if he is. I think he believes it. I think he believes this. It's like people who watch MSNBC and think that's the news and fair and balanced. I think he believes. No, no. Our billionaires are good, decent people just trying to, you know, help the country. Their billionaires are evil and scary. I think he actually believes that crap.
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, I could be wrong. I don't, I don't know. He is so shot at this point.
Joe Getty
Yeah. Well, how much time we got, Michael?
Jack Armstrong
Two and a half.
Joe Getty
So I was going to read a little more from the New York Times article in hour four that's out today with the most revelation about the whole thing went down when he was pushed out and it was Chuck Schumer, not Nancy Pelosi, that pushed him out. Clearly, at least based on this New York Times telling, which I think their main source is Nancy Pelosi.
Jack Armstrong
That'd be my gonna be leaking his version of it by 2:00 this afternoon.
Joe Getty
Which is the way it works and it's awesome. But I don't know if you remember this. I kind of remember they, they had a behind closed doors meeting like a week or so after the debate. All the Democratic senators wanted to meet with, with people from the White House, like the chief of Staff and the other people, stuff like that. And they just erupted and screaming at him like, God, he's got to step down. What is he doing? And the Democratic senators, so Joe Biden, if you remember this, wrote a letter basically saying, drawing a line in the sand, I am not stepping down. Everybody needs to rally behind me. Now is the go time, that sort of thing. And Democratic senators were saying in that secret, you know, closed door meeting, did he even write that? Did Jill write that? Did Hunter write that? Is even capable of writing a letter like that. I mean that's what Democratic senators were saying behind closed doors. And one of them, I forget which one, and a group of others agreed, demanded. I'll tell you what you do. You get two real like neurologists or whoever looks at brains to give him the once over, declare him fit and, and they do a press conference and answer any questions. You do that and we'll continue to back him. Anything short of that and we're out. Yeah, where was that story? And hey, Democratic senators, why didn't you go to the media with that? You were willing to let this guy run for president again?
Jack Armstrong
Yeah, they closed ranks.
Joe Getty
Why is he president now? I mean, they didn't believe he could even write the letter himself. Why is he still president?
Jack Armstrong
I'm really enjoying these preliminary leaks and stuff like that, but mark my words, the moment on Monday, Donald J. Trump says, so help me God, do not be standing in the entrance of the big publishing houses in New York or you will be stampeded to death by Biden aides wanting to get a book deal to tell all.
Joe Getty
Oh yeah, if you're smoking a cigarette in front of the front door at Simon and Schuster, you're going to get stampeded like it's the bulls of Pamplona.
Jack Armstrong
Unanimous decision, Supreme Court. No commie ownership of Tick Tock. Well done soups. I say more to come. Hour four. If you don't get our four subscribe to the podcast Armstrong and Getty on demand. Armstrong and Getty.
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Podcast Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "It's A 6 Pound Show In A 5 Pound Bag"
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Host: Armstrong & Getty
Platform: iHeartPodcasts
In the episode titled "It's A 6 Pound Show In A 5 Pound Bag," hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a range of topics spanning political maneuvering within the Democratic Party, a comparative analysis of insurance markets in California and Florida, and a unique segment on emergency call handling. The discussion is punctuated with their signature humor, insightful commentary, and notable quotes that provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current political dynamics and policy impacts.
The episode begins with Armstrong and Getty exploring a groundbreaking New York Times article that reveals internal efforts to persuade President Joe Biden to withdraw his presidential campaign. Joe Getty introduces the article, highlighting that it is based on interviews with over a dozen individuals involved in the private initiative to push Biden out of the race.
The hosts discuss Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's pivotal role in the conversation with Biden, where Schumer allegedly presented stark polling data indicating a mere 5% chance of Biden defeating Donald Trump in a re-election bid. This data, according to Getty, was supposedly kept from Biden by his advisors.
Joe Getty [03:12]: "Senator Chuck Schumer of New York sat in the foyer of President Biden's beach house... Schumer was about to make a blunt case to Joe Biden that he needed to drop his bid for a second term."
Jack Armstrong [04:20]: "You pointed this out yesterday that... advisors were keeping the polls from him... that is some serious puppetry."
Armstrong and Getty elaborate on the internal pressures within the Democratic Party, highlighting how various senators and key figures reacted to Biden's performance in debates and his overall viability as a candidate. They emphasize the fear that a Biden loss could lead to disastrous political consequences for the Democrats.
The discussion touches upon the potential long-term impact on Biden's legacy, suggesting that his decision to continue running despite low approval ratings and poor debate performances could tarnish his reputation irreparably.
Joe Getty [04:48]: "If the President refused to step aside, the Senator would argue the consequences for Democrats."
Jack Armstrong [09:02]: "Calm is an intentional decision."
The hosts present a detailed comparison of California and Florida's insurance markets, drawing on insights from the Wall Street Journal's editorial board. They discuss California's regulatory environment, particularly the actions of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who has limited the use of catastrophe models and reinsurance costs, leading to inflated insurance claims and financial instability within the state's insurer of last resort, FAIR.
In contrast, Florida's proactive legislative measures under Governor Ron DeSantis are highlighted as a solution to prevent an insurance market death spiral. Tort reforms have curbed frivolous lawsuits and litigation abuse, allowing insurers to re-enter the market and stabilize rates.
Armstrong and Getty analyze how each state's approach to insurance regulation has led to divergent outcomes, with California facing potential insolvency of FAIR and skyrocketing insurance rates, while Florida experiences market recovery and rate stabilization thanks to effective policy interventions.
Jack Armstrong [25:17]: "In California...policyholders...on the hook for its claims. Homeowners could see rates rise by three thousands of dollars per year per homeowner."
Joe Getty [28:16]: "That's disturbing."
A unique segment features a mock 911 call from London, showcasing effective emergency response techniques. An actor portrays a crime victim, and the operator employs creative language cues to ensure clear communication without revealing sensitive information.
The hosts commend the Metropolitan Police's approach to handling complex emergencies, highlighting the importance of innovative training methods in ensuring operator efficiency and effectiveness during real crises.
Armstrong and Getty analyze President Biden's farewell address, critiquing his statements about oligarchy and billionaire influence in American politics. They humorously speculate on his intentions and the possible hypocrisy in his remarks, especially in light of his awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to George Soros.
The discussion turns to internal Democratic Party dynamics, specifically the roles of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in influencing Biden's political strategies. The hosts suggest that Pelosi may be a key source leaking information about the party's efforts to push Biden out, despite efforts to portray a united front.
Jack Armstrong [36:35]: "You try to not be so obviously hilariously a hypocrite."
Joe Getty [37:05]: "It's Chuck Schumer who pushed him out."
Before concluding, Armstrong and Getty tease upcoming segments, including more revelations from the New York Times article, a comparison of California and Florida's insurance crises, and an impressive emergency call handling story from London. They encourage listeners to stay tuned for deeper dives into these subjects.
Joe Getty [13:27]: "We'll discuss it Next hour."
Jack Armstrong [19:41]: "Unbelievable and really useful compare and contrast of California and Florida by the Wall Street Journal's editorial board."
The episode "It's A 6 Pound Show In A 5 Pound Bag" offers listeners an in-depth exploration of critical political maneuvers within the Democratic Party, the stark differences in insurance market regulations between California and Florida, and effective emergency response techniques illustrated through a 911 call training segment. Armstrong and Getty provide a compelling mix of analysis, humor, and insightful commentary, making complex topics accessible and engaging for their audience.
Joe Biden on Democracy [00:53]: “I really am concerned about how fragile democracy is...they seem to just seem to be chipping away at all those elements.”
Joe Getty on Presidential Legacy [05:00]: “If you run and you lose to Trump and we lose the Senate and we don't get back the House, you will go down in America as one of the darkest figures.”
Jack Armstrong on Calmness [09:02]: “Calm is an intentional decision.”
Joe Getty on Governance [28:03]: “Governance matters. Policy matters.”
Joe Getty on 911 Training [34:59]: “That's some good training. We've played some bad 911 operators over the years.”
Joe Getty on Schumer’s Role [37:05]: “It's Chuck Schumer who pushed him out.”
This structured summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the "It's A 6 Pound Show In A 5 Pound Bag" episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have yet to listen.