Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "That's Because You ARE Really Old"
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong with Joe Getty (remotely), guest analyst Gary Dietrich, and Congressman Kevin Kiley

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode explores the ongoing political battle over redistricting in California and the broader national implications. It also touches on personalities in politics—particularly California Governor Gavin Newsom and his presidential ambitions—while serving up classic Armstrong & Getty banter, personal anecdotes (notably Jack’s sailing lesson disaster), and trademark irreverence. The show features extended analysis from political analyst Gary Dietrich and an interview with Congressman Kevin Kiley, along with some current event commentary and lighter moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The California Redistricting Fight

(00:28–04:08, 23:43–29:14)

• Background:
  Gary Dietrich outlines the "nationwide war over redistricting," highlighting Texas’s gain of seats (favorable to Republicans) and contrasting it with California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing for a ballot measure that could swing five seats back to Democrats.

  • "If Gavin gets his way, four of those will... be Republican. So nearly 40% of the people who vote in California vote Republican, but only 7% of the representation in the House." — Jack Armstrong [00:46]

• Democratic Opposition & Polling:

  • Gary references recent polling showing most Californians—even Democrats—oppose returning district line-drawing power to the legislature.
    • "Almost 60% of Democrats said that...a big headwind." — Gary Dietrich [03:14]

• National Implications:
  The conversation acknowledges that extreme gerrymandering is a bipartisan issue, with both major parties guilty over time.

2. Gavin Newsom’s National Ambitions and Public Image

(04:33–07:19, 09:22–11:14, 29:27–30:48)

• Running for President:
  Both Dietrich and Armstrong analyze Newsom’s efforts to become the Democratic "face of resistance" against the GOP and Trump, including his out-of-state campaigning, PAC fundraising, and national TV stunts.

  • "He's been auditioning for the White House here officially, unofficially, for the last year." — Gary Dietrich [04:55]
  • “He wants to be as close to...a presumptive as he can possibly get.” — Jack Armstrong [06:48]

• Polls, Odds, and Image:
  Dietrich notes Newsom recently overtook Kamala Harris as California Dems’ pick for 2028 and details how betting odds/national “feeling” can shift faster than polls.

  • “Odds take into account other things...fundraising look like? And Gavin Newsom has moved into the lead nationally in the odds for the 28 race..." — Gary Dietrich [06:07]

• National Perception vs. Local Reality:
  Both hosts and Kevin Kiley discuss how Newsom is viewed more favorably nationally than by those who have watched his political career in California:

  • “I feel like people...have a way higher opinion than of Gavin Newsom's talents than people who have known him longer in California.” — Jack Armstrong [08:55]
  • "Under the microscope of a presidential campaign, this will—his image will quickly fall apart once people start asking questions..." — Kevin Kiley [29:58]

3. Political Objectivity and Media Roles

(08:23–09:22)

• Dietrich reaffirms his nonpartisan stance, explaining his media philosophy and history working with both Fox and CBS.
  • "You know how it is, Jack, just like you said. I call them like I see him...Nobody scripts me. Nobody tells me what bent to take." — Gary Dietrich [08:55]

4. The Long History and Entrenchment of Gerrymandering

(04:08–04:33, 24:56–26:41)

• References to the earliest days of the Republic, with a brief history lesson weaving in James Madison and the origins of the term "gerrymander."

  • "In the early years of the Republic, 1797, around then, to gerrymander James Madison out of his seat..." — Kevin Kiley [24:56]

• Debate over the futility of fighting gerrymandering by partisan means, and the search for national solutions.

5. Fixes and Policy Proposals

(24:56–26:41, 28:00–29:27)

• Rep. Kevin Kiley’s View:
  • Suggests banning mid-decade redistricting, supports a national anti-gerrymandering law with a voter ID requirement for all states.
  • "Let's get rid of gerrymandering once and for all in all 50 states. And number two, let's establish voter ID once and for all in all 50 states." — Kevin Kiley [25:33]

6. Personal Anecdotes: “The Old Man In The Sea” Sailing Disaster

(15:20–19:22; continued in 31:33–33:14)

• Jack Armstrong recounts his misadventure in a sailing class with “an 8,000-year-old man”—a classic, humorous saga of ego, miscommunication, and generational tension.

  • “I yelled at a guy. I yelled at an old man and even a small. I yelled at a small old man on my sailboat in my sailing lessons yesterday. And he deserved it.” — Jack Armstrong [14:06]
  • “At some point, I was getting so frustrated trying to hear the instructor tell me what to do...I said, sir, I'm trying to listen to the instructor right now.” — Jack Armstrong [18:25]
  • “I'm trying to listen to the instructor, sir. I don't know why the sir came out of my mouth like that.” — Jack Armstrong [18:47]
  • "I would never do this, but I think it would have been within my purview to have said, shut the f up." — Jack Armstrong [33:00]

• Joe Getty, ever the sidekick, supplies the deadpan:

  • “You should have just donkey kicked him right off there.” — Joe Getty [18:53]

7. National Guard, Public Safety, and Trump Commentary

(20:25–22:36)

• Brief segment on Trump’s statement about “people wanting a dictator” and National Guard deployment in American cities.
• Rep. Kiley gives a pragmatic take:
  • “It’s especially embarrassing for our country when we have people coming from around the world and they see our capital city has lawlessness...” — Kevin Kiley [21:57]
  • Contrasts the president’s formal powers in D.C. with state-level authority elsewhere.
  • Notes Newsom used the National Guard in SF, but not effectively.

8. Race to the Bottom in Partisan Politics

(27:16–29:27)

• Kiley and Armstrong lament the “race to the bottom” as states engage in ever more aggressive tit-for-tat maneuvers.
  • “You fight fire with fire, the whole world burns.” — Kevin Kiley [28:12]

9. Show Banter & Lighter Moments

• Reflections on show history:

  • “Our anniversary is...like in a week...And that will be 28 years. 27 years. Something like 27. 27 years.” — Jack Armstrong [07:32]
  • "You are really old, and so am I.” — Jack Armstrong [07:46]

• Pumpkin spice “bully spice” takes over fall coffee shops, to feigned frustration.

  • “Pumpkin spice is a bully spice that is trying to push all the other spices out of the way.” — Jack Armstrong quoting former producer [39:49]

• Travel & 9/11 anecdote while in England:

  • “I was a big black and tan guy back in the way. Oof...I was somewhat hungover...and I could tell. I knew something was happening because people were gathered around the television…” — Jack Armstrong [37:10–38:22]

Memorable Quotes and Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|-----------------|-------| | 00:46 | Jack Armstrong | “Nearly 40% of the people who vote in California vote Republican, but only 7% of the representation in the House. Well, that sounds fair. Whatever.” | | 03:14 | Gary Dietrich | “Almost 60% of Democrats said that. So that's a big headwind.” | | 04:55 | Gary Dietrich | “He's been auditioning for the White House here officially, unofficially, for the last year.” | | 06:07 | Gary Dietrich | “Odds take into account other things...what is fundraising look like? And Gavin Newsom has moved into the lead nationally in the odds for the '28 race of the Democratic nomination.” | | 07:46 | Jack Armstrong | “You are really old, and so am I.” | | 08:55 | Gary Dietrich | “Nobody scripts me. Nobody tells me what bent to take. I guarantee you that.” | | 14:06 | Jack Armstrong | “I yelled at a guy. I yelled at an old man...on my sailboat in my sailing lessons yesterday. And he deserved it.” | | 18:25 | Jack Armstrong | “Sir, I'm trying to listen to the instructor right now.” | | 28:12 | Kevin Kiley | “You fight fire with fire, the whole world burns. Right.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Redistricting Battle and Polling: 00:28–04:08
• Newsom's Presidential Prospects: 04:33–07:19, 09:22–11:14
• Show’s History & Banter: 07:19–07:57
• Objective Political Analysis: 08:23–09:22
• Kiley Interview on Gerrymandering: 23:43–29:27
• Jack’s Sailing Saga: 15:20–19:22; 31:33–33:14
• National Guard & Trump Segment: 20:25–22:36
• Pumpkin Spice Banter: 39:23–40:30
• Reflections on 9/11 in England: 37:10–38:22

Final Thoughts

This episode mixes timely political insight with the personal and comic energy Armstrong & Getty are known for. Key takeaways include the persistent, damaging role of gerrymandering in American electoral politics; the ongoing machinations and image management of Gavin Newsom as he considers a presidential run; and the importance—albeit rarity—of nonpartisan political analysis. Woven throughout are moments of self-deprecating humor and the hosts’ habitual skepticism toward political theater, making for a lively and informative listen even for newcomers to the show.