Draft Episode for Jun 07, 2026

Summary

Podcast Summary: "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" – June 7, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "This Week" centers on the impending Maine Senate Democratic primary, a race that could determine control of the chamber in November, as well as President Trump's controversial intelligence appointment, and the ongoing wars in Iran and Ukraine. Anchored by Martha Raddatz, the episode features on-the-ground reporting from Maine, newsmaker interviews with Senator Mark Warner and Congressman Michael McCaul, reports on international crises, and a roundtable with prominent political analysts. Issues of personal morality, partisanship, and party strategy serve as recurring themes as the guests assess both the immediate electoral implications and the broader direction of American politics.

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Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. The Maine Senate Race: Scandal, Strategy, and Stakes (00:30–13:57)

Background

• The Democratic campaign in Maine is rocked by allegations against leading candidate Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran running to unseat longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins.
• Late-breaking New York Times and Wall Street Journal stories raise issues about Platner’s personal conduct—alleged abusive behavior, a controversial tattoo, and explicit texts.

On-the-Ground Voter Reactions (03:20–08:42)

• Selena Wang travels across Maine, gathering candid voter reactions:
  • Some voters are steadfastly behind Platner despite the allegations, citing alignment with their interests.
  • Others remain uncomfortable, yet feel boxed in by the timing and the lack of viable alternatives.
  • Several mention that, while troubled, Platner’s "political mission is sincere" (07:43–07:47, Martha Raddatz quoting a voter).

Democratic Party Division

• Rep. Ro Khanna urges party unity while acknowledging the seriousness of Platner’s past ("We should not be making excuses for what happened…He accepted accountability, but I believe in redemption." – 05:30).
• Donna Brazile reflects the turmoil: "There are a bunch of bedwetters right now who are once again saying, what the what's going on in Maine...he wasn't properly vetted." (34:39).

Notable Quotes

• Graham Platner: "Every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated and weaponized. You have my back this morning." (00:50, 03:31)
• Ro Khanna: "He says it was a dark period of his life...He accepted accountability, but I believe in redemption." (05:30)
• Maine voter: "I'm not looking to be his friend. I'm looking for somebody who will represent my interests." (04:09)
• Donna Brazile: "He has disqualified himself in my eyes." (08:25)
• Rick Klein lays out the math: "Maine is pretty much a must win for Democrats...it is an absolutely brutal map for Democrats." (09:26)

Broader Significance

• The race exposes Democrats’ struggle to square their rhetoric about values and accusers with the pressure to win pivotal races.
• Janet Mills, though having suspended her campaign, remains on the ballot and is seen as a backup if Platner falters.

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2. Senate Intelligence and the Controversy Over Trump’s DNI Pick (13:57–19:21)

Bill Pulte Nomination

• President Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte, current director of the Federal Housing Agency with no national security experience, as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), draws criticism from both parties.

Senator Mark Warner Interview (11:06–19:23)

• Warner questions Pulte’s qualifications and suggests Trump wants Pulte to "start the process of firing people who shouldn't be there," raising fears about political interference and undermining intelligence agencies (17:13).
• "This is beyond outrageous. This guy has no national security experience...What he has shown is complete loyalty to do whatever Donald Trump wants." (16:21)
• Concerns are raised that Pulte's appointment, coinciding with critical surveillance legislation expiring (FISA 702), is "throwing a live hand grenade" (18:48).

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3. International Affairs: Iran and Ukraine Wars (22:19–31:38)

Ukraine Conflict Update (22:54–25:39)

• Correspondent Ian Panel reports from Moscow on Ukraine’s escalating drone attacks inside Russia and the shifting battlefield dynamics.
  • "Despite fewer resources...Ukraine’s mounted its most successful strikes since the war began." (23:56)
  • Russian casualties are soaring—"15 to 20,000 soldiers a month" (24:58).

McCaul on U.S. Support for Ukraine (25:46–28:20)

• Congressman Michael McCaul calls aid to Ukraine "a moral conscience issue" (see episode intro) and insists that only pressure and sanctions will lead Putin to negotiate.
• "You want a serious negotiation, Putin has to have pressure put on him...Zelensky has agreed to sit down, but Putin does not." (26:42)
• McCaul criticizes handling of D-Day commemoration remarks turning to immigration, calling them "out of place" (28:30).

Iran War Stalemate (29:05–30:46)

• Despite administration promises, the Iran conflict has dragged on for 100 days.
• "The Iranians are dragging this out closer to the midterm elections. I don't think they're negotiating in good faith." (29:33)

Economic Fallout and FISA - McCaul's Concerns (31:14)

• McCaul condemns Pulte’s qualifications and warns letting FISA expire would be "the most grossly irresponsible thing I've seen Congress do in my 22 years in office." (31:14)

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4. Roundtable: Morality in Politics, California Primaries, and Executive Power (33:26–49:58)

Maine Race and the Moral High Ground

• Ramesh Ponnuru criticizes Democrats for abandoning their standards: "Platner is a strange reason for Democrats to dump moral standards" (33:59).
• Discussion of Platner's disputed account of his controversial tattoo and the broader dilemma: "In any other lifetime would be disqualifying just one of them let alone the whole accumulation" (Chris Christie, 35:45).
• Panel agrees that both parties now excuse moral lapses in the name of partisanship:
  • Susan Glasser: "This is a golden age, unfortunately, of politicians who are ridden with scandals." (37:27)
  • Donna Brazile: "Character matters...but we're dealing with elements of voters who are frustrated with the status quo." (38:34)

“Race to the Bottom” in Political Standards (39:09–39:24)

• Ramesh Ponnuru: "The logic of a moral race to the bottom we're seeing in both parties."
• Chris Christie warns contradictory standards harm both parties’ credibility.

California Governor’s Race (40:33–41:54)

• Mail-in voting delays and possible Republican strength in a Democratic bastion.
• Chris Christie: "When Gavin Newsom is more concerned about running for president than establishing a bench...that's how you wind up with Xavier Becerra." (41:56)

DOJ and DNI Nominations (43:13–49:03)

• Chris Christie on Todd Blanche as acting Attorney General: "When you become Donald Trump's personal attorney...your loyalty is to the law or to Donald Trump, it can't be to both." (44:52)
• Susan Glasser explains concerns over the proposed DOJ "weaponization fund," and over Trump’s IRS settlement.
• Donna Brazile calls for Democrats to fully scrutinize Blanche, referencing his handling of the Epstein files and the unique deal Trump made with the IRS (48:06).
• The panel also addresses how economic woes ("affordability") remain front-of-mind for voters despite distracting headlines (49:03–49:19).

Notable Roundtable Quotes

• Chris Christie: "He was going to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours and was going to stop endless, useless wars. He's 0 for 4. The midterms look ugly and Republicans know it." (49:19)
• Donna Brazile: "Character matters. I will say that until the cows come home." (38:34)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maine Senate Race – Voter Reactions: 03:20–08:42
• Rick Klein on Senate Map: 09:26–10:05
• Sen. Mark Warner on Scandal and Standards: 11:06–13:57
• Warner on Trump's DNI Pick and FISA: 16:07–19:21
• Ukraine and Russia Report: 22:54–25:39
• McCaul on Ukraine Aid and Negotiations: 25:46–28:20
• Roundtable on Maine, Morality, and National Trends: 33:26–40:33
• California Primary Discussion: 40:33–41:54
• DOJ and DNI Nominations, Weaponization Fund: 43:13–49:03

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Overall Tone and Atmosphere

• Candid, sometimes urgent, and frequently frustrated: Guests do not mince words about the stakes of the elections, the perceived failings of party and government leadership, and the erosion of traditional standards.
• Deeply polarized: Both hosts and guests observe how partisanship is driving voters and party operatives alike to justify moral or ethical lapses so long as the "other side" appears worse.
• Serious and somber: War, national security, and scandal dominate the agenda, with little optimism for quick turnarounds.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “He accepted accountability, but I believe in redemption.” – Rep. Ro Khanna (05:30)
• “I'm not looking to be his friend. I'm looking for somebody who will represent my interests.” – Maine voter (04:09)
• “This guy has no national security experience...What he has shown is complete loyalty to do whatever Donald Trump wants.” – Sen. Mark Warner on Bill Pulte (16:21)
• “The logic of a moral race to the bottom that we're seeing in both parties.” – Ramesh Ponnuru (39:10)
• “Character matters. I will say that until the cows come home.” – Donna Brazile (38:34)
• “He's 0 for 4. And all this other stuff is interesting, but...the midterms look ugly and Republicans know it.” – Chris Christie on President Trump's promises (49:19)

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Takeaways for Listeners

• The Democratic Party faces raw internal debate about priorities, values, and electability, especially as the Maine race throws longstanding "believe women" and anti-Trump moral framing into flux.
• Republican and Democratic leaders alike are criticized for lowering standards related to personal conduct in the name of holding or gaining power.
• The Trump administration’s approach to intelligence and law enforcement oversight is viewed as an escalation, with real bipartisan concern over appointments and political interference.
• International crises (Ukraine, Iran) remain unresolved, further testing U.S. leadership and domestic political patience.
• Economic concerns, despite receiving less airtime than scandals, loom large in the minds of the electorate as the midterms approach.

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For further details, see the references to speakers and timestamps above to jump to the moments that interest you most.

Transcript

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[Martha Raddatz]

Will a Maine Senate primary derail? Democrats hope to take back the Senate? This week starts right now.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Democrat division. His political mission is sincere and that's

[Martha Raddatz]

what I'm voting for.

[Voter Opposed to Platner]

I will never vote for Graham Platner.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

More controversy for Graham Platner just days

[Graham Platner]

ahead of the primary as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated and weaponized. You have my back this morning.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

We're on the ground in Maine.

[Congressman Ro Khanna]

Accepted accountability, but I believe in redemption.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

As Democrats now forced to answer uncomfortable questions. The Powerhouse roundtable on how Platner and Democrats are responding and a look at the Senate map and the impact this race could have this November. Contentious apportionment.

[Senator Mark Warner]

Bill Pulte is very good. He's very talented.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Backlash over Trump's pick for acting director of national intelligence.

[Maine Voters]

This guy is unqualified. He should never have been nominated.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

As Trump considers gutting the agency, we speak with top intelligence Democrat Senator Mark Warner about his concerns. And 100 days into the Iran war, Republican rebuke.

[Senator Mark Warner]

We're at a point we're going to

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

come out of Iran very quickly and Ukraine.

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Are we going to stand with good or are we going to stand with evil? That's what this is about.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Tonight, Congressman Michael McCaul on what's next for both wars and our Ian panel with rare reporting from inside of Russia.

[Chris Christie]

From ABC News, it's THIS Week.

[Senator Mark Warner]

Hear now.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Martha Raddatz.

[Martha Raddatz]

Good morning and welcome to this Week where all eyes are on a Senate seat in Maine that ultimately could decide which party controls Congress after the midterms. Democrats for months had been bullish on flipping the seat Susan Collins has held for nearly 30 years with oyster farmer and veteran Graham Plattner. But now a slew of late controversies is fueling major concern for Maine voters and Democrats here in Washington. Late this week, the New York Times published new allegations about Platner's treatment of former girlfriends and new claims about a tattoo Platner got nearly two decades ago this morning. Some Democrats are full speed ahead campaigning with and fundraising for Platner. Others have been critical. The race for Susan Collins seats sparking a new reckoning about how Democrats deal with scandal. Our Selena Wang traveled across Maine to get a sense of how voters are responding. Just days ahead of the primary,

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

an 11th hour drama.

[Graham Platner]

The state of Maine raised me and the state of Maine saved me in the primary.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Critical to Democrats chances of retaking the

[Graham Platner]

Senate as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated and weaponized. You have my back.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Oyster farmer and combat veteran Graham Platner facing serious questions in the closing days of the primary campaign.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

He has too many secrets and we don't even know the depth of them.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Allegations published in the New York Times about Platner's treatment of his former girlfriends have rocked the race.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

These interviews with these women shake me a little bit.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

We crisscross the state in the closing days.

[Interviewing Reporter]

Who do you plan to support?

[Maine Voters]

Platner.

[Donna Brazile]

Platner.

[Maine Voters]

Easy choice. I'm not looking to be his friend. I'm looking for somebody who will represent my interests.

[Interviewing Reporter]

Hearing from voters, Susan Collins versus Graham Platner. What do you think?

[Maine Voters]

Oh, Susan Collins got it down pat.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Democrats like progressive Congressman Ro Khanna still staunchly supporting Graham Platner.

[Congressman Ro Khanna]

The Democratic Party needs to unify behind Platner, who is going to be our nominee. And we've got to win this seat.

[Interviewing Reporter]

So you're asking the people of Maine to essentially look past the personal issues and focus on policy and look past them?

[Congressman Ro Khanna]

No, I think that they should look at those issues. And I fundamentally believe that we should not be in any way making excuses for what happened.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

The New York Times reporting several ex girlfriends describe unsettling behavior. One alleging Platner grabbed her hard enough to leave marks and during one argument twisted her arm behind her back and blocked her in a room.

[Graham Platner]

There are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about are simply not true. Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was. These are the statements of someone who's politically motivated.

[Interviewing Reporter]

And you've said that the allegations in the recent New York Times article were, quote, wrong and toxic. But you're still saying that voters should look past that about Platner.

[Congressman Ro Khanna]

Well, I said that what he did was toxic and wrong. I talked to him about it. He agrees that it was misogynistic. He says it was a dark period of his life. Life. He's a veteran. He went to two tours of duty in Iraq and he came back with a lot of trouble. Now, I'm not saying that excuses what he did. He accepted accountability, but I believe in redemption.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

The Wall Street Journal also reporting his wife Amy, flagged to the campaign that Platner had sent sexually explicit text messages to other women shortly after they married in 2023.

[Donna Brazile]

No marriage is perfect and

[Interviewing Reporter]

I don't

[Donna Brazile]

want a perfect marriage. I want my marriage.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Platner also facing renewed questions about a since covered tattoo on his chest, a skull and crossbones appearing to resemble a Nazi symbol. Platner denies knowing the connection when he got it 18 years ago and says he was only made aware in October.

[Graham Platner]

I think that racism and antisemitism are a long scourge on our society and a long scourge on our politics, and I think it has no place in our world. For that reason I have gone and gotten it covered up.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Blattner has spoken openly about his time in combat, his PTSD diagnosis and past behavior he says he's not proud of including controversial online posts.

[Graham Platner]

I was absolutely self medicating and drinking heavily, really not wanting to engage with like feelings and emotions. I was really, really isolated and alone, very angry and a lot of the worst comments definitely come from the years where I was in my like at my absolute worst.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

To some Maine voters, Platner's controversies are irrelevant.

[Maine Voters]

I think that we're really zooming in

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

on a lot of personal matters in

[Maine Voters]

Graham Platner's life that doesn't actually affect his policies.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

Others, like Bangor resident Nancy Jacobson, are troubled but see no better option.

[Interviewing Reporter]

So you're still willing to look past even the latest allegations?

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Well, yes.

[Voter Opposed to Platner]

What else are we going to do

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

at this stage in the game? But I feel like his political mission

[Martha Raddatz]

is sincere and that's what I'm voting for.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

About an hour away in Bar harbor, nearby to where Platner grew up, Congressman Ro Khanna and a packed room of supporters are ready to send him to Congress.

[Congressman Ro Khanna]

The Democratic Party, from Schumer to Sanders is is united with a single goal. We will defeat Susan Collins in November.

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

This is more than just a test for Platner, but for Democrats who have long talked about listening to accusers.

[Interviewing Reporter]

I look forward to the day where I am not answering every single week a question about bad behavior by another dude.

[Martha Raddatz]

I'm not a voter in Maine, but

[Donna Brazile]

he has disqualified himself in in my

[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

eyes, voters in Maine do have a choice. Governor Janet Mills has reminded supporters that while she suspended her campaign in April, she still remains on the ballot. Some are still planning to vote for her, but come November, they'll likely face a different choice.

[Interviewing Reporter]

If it is between Collins and Platner, who will you support?

[Voter Opposed to Platner]

I told somebody this morning that I couldn't imagine not supporting whoever the Democratic candidate is and assuming that it's Platner. I mean, I think that that is

[Martha Raddatz]

a

[Voter Opposed to Platner]

situation that is still six months away and there's a lot that can happen between now and November. And so I would be honestly, I'll tell you, I will never vote for Graham Platner.

[Martha Raddatz]

It is the race to watch. Our thanks to Selena. Let's get straight to Rick Klein. Rick, this Senate race is so crit for Democrats.

[Rick Klein]

Yeah, Martha, Maine is pretty much a must win for Democrats if they're going to have any chance at all of taking the Senate. These are the most competitive seats on the ballot in November. It is an absolutely brutal map for Democrats. They have to not only hold onto the seats that they already hold. Sure thing. Also pick up four additional seats that are now held by Republicans. On paper at least, Maine should be the surest bet. Kamala Harris carried it by nearly seven points in 2024. But if you take that away, Democrats have to win battleground North Carolina, plus states like Ohio, Iowa, Texas, Alaska. Those are all seats, states that Trump carried by double digits.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And Rick, as we move through these

[Martha Raddatz]

primaries, Democrats are nominating very different candidates state to state.

[Rick Klein]

Yeah, we're seeing two different categories emerging, Martha. And Democrats frankly need both types to win. You've got your familiar faces in places like Alaska and Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio. You have people that have won statewide before they are known quantities, people like former Senator Sherrod Brown, former Governor Roy Cooper in North Carolina. Then you have this crop of younger Democrats who are looking for big jumps to the Senate. Candidates like James Talarico, of course. He's a former teacher and a Presbyterian seminarian, just turned 37 years old. He's the Democratic nominee in Texas. In Michigan, the primary's still two months away, but there's a three way race that has a mixture of upstart and more establishment options. And that all brings us back to Maine. The progressive outsider Graham Platner essentially forced Janet Mills to suspend her candidacy. But as those controversies have grown around Platner, Mills herself has reminded people she's actually still on the ballot on Tuesday. And Martha, she's being talked about as a potential backup candidate should Platner decide to drop out.

[Martha Raddatz]

Our thanks to Rick Klein. I'm joined now in studio by Senator Mark Warner of Virginia the top Democrat

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

on the Intelligence Committee. It's good to see you this morning, Senator. You've heard the allegations against Graham Plattner. It's hard to imagine the Democrats could win back control of the Senate without Maine. What's your reaction?

[Maine Voters]

Well, first of all, if the allegations are true, they are disturbing. End of the day, though, Maine voters are going to decide this. I've got my own election this year. I'm trying to get rehired in Virginia. So I'm trying to make the case to people in Virginia why they ought to rehire me. And that's what I'm focused on.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Plattner has blamed the media, denied the most serious allegations of physical intimidation and said his past is being politically weaponized. He is a combat veteran. He did say he has suffered from ptsd.

[Martha Raddatz]

But is this the way to handle this, do you think?

[Maine Voters]

Listen, I think the whole, this whole realm changed dramatically when Donald Trump ran his first time and was caught on tape saying extraordinarily disparaging things that seemed not to stop Trump getting elected. And I do think at the end of the day, you know, American voters will make those decisions. And I don't know Mr. Plattner, I've never met him. I would just say this. The allegations are made. I think he ought to have at least some attempt to prove whether they are disprove them if that's the case.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Well, he has said that the most serious aren't something he did, but there

[Martha Raddatz]

are others out there, women saying it was a toxic relationship. You've heard those allegations. Are those serious enough? If the other part is not true, are those serious enough to disqualify him?

[Maine Voters]

That'll be up to the folks in Maine.

[Martha Raddatz]

But how do you look at it?

[Maine Voters]

I look at it from the standpoint that I wish all candidates in both parties maybe held themselves to a different standard. But that's in a world where it seems like focus on flaws, flaws, real or not, focus on this type of activity, although clearly, if true, inappropriate, it's going to be up to the voters. I mean, isn't that, at the end of the day, I know I'm making my case to my folks in Virginia why I get rehired. That's one of my focuses this year.

[Martha Raddatz]

When you say held to a different standard, both parties, what standard are you talking about? What standard should they be held to?

[Maine Voters]

Well, again, anything, even allegations back in the late 90s of this kind of activity would end up probably gaining more traction. But again, I think President Trump set a new standard, whether that's Low standard is what we ought to proceed with. I think it's going to be again in the hands of the voters.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Let me turn to the Democrats in general. You've been critical of President Trump and Republicans. President Trump's poll numbers are now hitting record lows. But take a look at this New York Times Siena College Poll. Only 55% of Democrats are satisfied with the party right now. And among independents, it's only 31%. Why do you think the Democratic Party

[Martha Raddatz]

is so unpopular and what do you

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

think should happen to change?

[Maine Voters]

Well, I think people are over Donald Trump at this point. He's taken us into a war of choice. We've got high gas prices. He seems erratic beyond belief. There's not a day that goes by that we don't go, oh, my gosh, I still got surprised. It happened with me earlier this week with his nomination putting in Bill Pulte, Director of National Intelligence. I think the Democrats have not, you know, need to articulate a fuller strategy, not just against Trump. I want the Democratic Party to be pro growth, pro innovation, and actually about getting stuff done. I think Democrats at times have been, we have been too bureaucratic. But Donald Trump drives the agenda. And I think that's come this fall. That is going to be what will be the ultimate decision. Are you better off today than you were when Donald Trump came back in? Has inflation gone up? Are we more secure as a nation? Are we being governed in a way that.

[Martha Raddatz]

So running against Trump?

[Maine Voters]

In a way, I think we're running against Trump. But I go back, I can remember, Martha, Barack Obama's first campaign and I can remember Bill Clinton's first campaign every time Democrats are looking for that three word slogan. I can't remember many cycles, 2006 when the Democrats won huge. But I don't remember, other than frustration with President Bush and the Iraq War at that point, what the other message was. I do think in one of the areas I'm spending a lot of time in, artificial intelligence is going to transform our world beyond what we can imagine. And there's positive, but there's also a deep underbelly here of national security risks, personal risks, job risks that we have to deal with. I'd love Democrats to lead on that.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Let's talk about Bill Pulte. You brought that up. The current director of the Federal Housing Agency. He has. President Trump has now picked him as acting director of the dni.

[Martha Raddatz]

You've been very critical and so have Republicans.

[Maine Voters]

This is beyond outrageous. This guy has no national security experience. You remember when the Law was set up. The Director of national intelligence overseeing 18 agencies was supposed to have national security experience. This guy's got none. Matter of fact, I don't believe he even has a security clearance. What he has shown is a complete loyalty to do whatever Donald Trump wants. Compromising private information about mortgages. That means he should get promoted. To have the keys to the 18 intelligence agencies with our most classified information and with an attempt by President Trump to interfere in the elections. My fear is this guy would completely go along with that. And it's not just me. Look at the Republican pushback as well.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

President Trump says the appointment is temporary, but told the Wall Street Journal that he wants Pulte to start the process of firing people who shouldn't be there.

[Martha Raddatz]

What do you think he means by that?

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And that has got to be one of your.

[Maine Voters]

Well, yes. Tulsi Gabbard at least had national security experience. She was the former dni. She fired people that were long term intelligence professionals but had some constraints.

[Martha Raddatz]

Is he trying to gut the agency?

[Maine Voters]

I fear that he'd be trying to gut the intelligence community or so intimidate them. They don't tell the truth. If we don't have intelligence professionals that speak truth to power, America ends up less safe and less secure.

[Martha Raddatz]

So you fear that they would get

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

rid of people who don't if they

[Maine Voters]

don't play the party line. You know, we got into the war in Iraq when we cooked the books on intelligence. We're already in a war of choice with Iran. What will they try to cook the books there? And more importantly, we've seen this president say he wants to federalize or have Republicans take over elections. The idea that the Director of National Intelligence could come up with a fake piece of intelligence and then use that for an excuse to bring troops into the polls. I would never have believed I'd be saying that in 2026. But that's what I'm afraid of. That's what Democrats and candidly, a lot of Republicans are afraid of as well.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

We just have about a minute here, but fisa, which is a critical government foreign surveillance authority, is set to expire next Friday. Last Friday, almost every Democrat voted against beginning debate to extend it after the president made his announcement of Polti.

[Maine Voters]

And several Republicans voted against it as well.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Yes. So if he does not change his will, Democrats, will you deny the extension?

[Maine Voters]

I didn't. I know how important this tool is. Why the president would throw this almost live hand grenade of Bill Pulte in 10 days before this is due to expire I'm not sure Donald Trump wants this to expire. We were on the path, been working well with Tom Cotton, my chairman, to have a compromise bill come forward. But the idea that you're going to have Democrats and I think responsible Republicans say we want to turn a controversial program that 702 already is over to a guy with no national security experience, that's a rough road to hoe.

[Martha Raddatz]

Okay, thanks very much for joining us this morning.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Senator, good to see you.

[Martha Raddatz]

Up next, as Ukraine takes the fight to Russia. Our next guest calls his vote this week for more aid to Ukraine a moral conscience issue. We'll have a report from Ian panel in Moscow, and I'll speak with Congressman Michael McCaul when we come back.

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[Selena Wang (Reporter)]

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[Voter Opposed to Platner]

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[Maine Voters]

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[Maine Voters]

Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies. She's in Spain, in Italy, in Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive. When will European capitals do something about that invasion?

[Martha Raddatz]

That was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking in Normandy, marking the commemoration of D Day, making those unexpected comments about immigration in Europe. That continent is now four and a half years into Russia's war on Ukraine. It may seem like nothing has changed, but in fact it's gotten worse, with the two sides trading escalating attacks. This week, in one of the deadliest weeks since the war began, ABC's Ian panel traveled to Russia, which launched the invasion in 2022, where he has the latest on the conflict from Moscow, Ukraine

[Ian Panel (ABC Correspondent)]

unleashing a massive attack across Russia this weekend in Russia's southern Krasnodar region. This video circulating online showing an oil depot engulfed in flames and in Russia's second largest city, St. Petersburg, the largest Ukrainian drone attack of the war. These were the second wave of strikes designed to coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putin's flagship economic forum in his hometown the day before. Putin speaking at the conference, rejecting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's offer of face to face talks. Putin saying he sees no point in meeting and that Zelenskyy's letter contains elements of rudeness. Zelenskyy referred to Putin's age, suggesting without a deal his position could be under threat. But President Trump again expressing optimism about an end to the war despite the United States wavering focus on the conflict since the war with Iran begins.

[Senator Mark Warner]

I'm the one that got him to this position and I think that's going to get worked out.

[Ian Panel (ABC Correspondent)]

Ukraine ramping up its drone capabilities, recent strikes hitting here in Russia's capital, Moscow, and stalling and in some cases reversing Russian fortunes on the battlefield. The daring attack, a symbol of Ukraine's innovative drone efforts, reminiscent of that stunning operation last year in Which Ukraine hid drones in shipping trucks, releasing them deep in Russia and striking military airfields. Despite fewer resources and focus from the U.S. ukraine's mounted its most successful strikes against Russia since the war began, with European allies working to replace the support previously offered by the US Putin under pressure, lashing out with increasingly heavy attacks on Ukraine, many hitting civilian sites. This week, Massive strikes pummeling cities across Ukraine, killing at least 23 and enduring 150 more. But the toll on both sides growing relentlessly with increasing questions about how much longer Russia can keep up the fight and sustain its losses.

[Maine Voters]

The Russians are losing 15 to 20,000 soldiers a month.

[Rick Klein]

Dead, not injured, dead.

[Pete Hegseth]

Martha, as you well know, it would be premature to write Vladimir Putin's political obituary, but the pressures on the Kremlin are very real. Pressure on Russia's economy. Pressure on. Russian casualties rising now estimated to be around 500,000 or more. But also pressure from Ukraine's increasing drone capabilities. Remember, Donald Trump once famously told Zelensky, he doesn't have the cards. Well, now perhaps he does. European leaders meeting today, following in the footsteps of the House to discuss increased aid to Ukraine, perhaps sensing that the tide in this war is turning.

[Martha Raddatz]

Martha, our thanks to Ian. I'm joined now by Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

It's good to see you. Thank you, Congressman. We heard Ian say that the Europeans are thinking the tide may be turning, but we are for and a half years into this war. On Friday, President Trump said he thinks it's going to get worked out, but it's been more than a year and a half since he was elected, promising he could end the war even before he took office. The strategy really doesn't seem to be working so far.

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Well, that's why I voted for the Ukraine bill on the House floor this week, to provide additional assistance, but tougher sanctions on Russia. Anytime I can help Ukraine and punish Putin, I'm in on that fight. And the fact is that the Ukrainians are winning this fight. They're taking back territory. There are 30,000 casualties by the Russians in the Donbas, and yet Russia is

[Martha Raddatz]

upping its attack on Ukraine.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

We had that devastating attack in Kyiv just this week.

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

So in response, Putin has sent three hypersonic missiles into Kyiv. So this is escalating. I think. You know, deterrence is always the key. You know, I was a critic under the Biden administration, not putting enough weapons in. I think we need to put tougher sanctions on Putin. If you want a serious negotiation, Putin has to have pressure put on him. If he is going to make any concessions at all, Zelensky has agreed to sit down, but Putin does not.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

He does not. And Zelensky certainly doesn't want to go to Moscow, so that doesn't look likely. But do you seriously see any end in sight?

[Martha Raddatz]

I feel like we've talked about this

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

for four and a half years now, and it's put more pressure on Putin

[Martha Raddatz]

sanctioned Russia, and yet here we are

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

four and a half years later.

[Martha Raddatz]

So really, is there an end in science?

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Well, they said it would be over in four days. Here we are four years later. I think the Ukrainians have surprised everybody with their innovation, their drone technology, modernization, warfare. It's like a laboratory in Ukraine. And the fact that they are pushing the Russians back now, fact there are 30,000 casualties a month on the Russian side, speaks volumes. And I think Putin is taking a hit now. He will not. Putin will not agree to the negotiating table unless enough pressure is put on him. And that's why the sanctions. Not just the bill we passed this week, but, you know, Lindsey Graham and I are working on a bill. Sarah McCormick and I have a tougher sanctions bill. And that's the stuff we need to start doing now to put pressure to negotiate out of strength, not out of weakness.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

I want to turn to D Day and Ptagseth, you heard there US run that sound bite from Pete Hegseth in Normandy. What did you think of those comments?

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Well, as the son of a D Day veteran, look, there's a time and a place for these issues of immigration. That was not the day, not, not the anniversary D Day. I think out of respect to the veterans, myself being the son of a D Day veteran, those remarks were out of place. I think it should have been about their sacrifice, their service to their country and what they did to protect the free world at a time of great peril against Nazi Germany. That should have been the message. It always has been in the past. And quite frankly, I thought it was just inappropriate.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Let's turn to another war that has not ended. The President said the war in Iran would be over in four to six weeks. We are now on day 100. And it was 78 days ago that he told Iran they had 48 hours to open the strait or they would bomb power plants. Where do you see this going?

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Well, right now you have a ceasefire. They're trying to negotiate.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

I do you really think it's a ceasefire? They're trading fire.

[Martha Raddatz]

Why is it still a ceasefire?

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Defensive in nature. I agree with General Jack Keane on this one. I think that honestly, the Iranians are dragging this out. They want to drag this out closer to the midterm elections. I don't think they're negotiating in good faith. I mean, look, you got to give.

[Martha Raddatz]

Was the administration prepared for this, prepared for the strait to be closed?

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

It was obvious in the contingency plans that Iran had that capability, the capacity to close the straits. So I know that had to be in their calculation. I think they thought the regime would implode after taking out the top leadership in the ayatollah. And that didn't happen. And so, you know, now this is the first president in 50 years to actually try to do something about the problem. A nuclear Iran is not acceptable. We've always said that every present since 1979. I passed a resolution as chairman last Congress stating by all means necessary stop a nuclear Iran. So he is taking action on the brink of that.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

But he has also said in recent weeks that he doesn't think about Americans financial situation as the war continues. Also said he doesn't care about the midterms. Do you think that is true?

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Well, I think when he's putting national security first that nuclear Iran is not acceptable. I do think the American people, though, as they see high gas prices, affordability is going to be an issue.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

He says he doesn't care about that.

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Well, it depends if you care about the elections. And I do think the Iranians are going to drag this out closer to the midterms and try to play that card.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And we have about 30 seconds here. You've expressed concerns over Bill Pulte as well.

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

I don't believe he's statutorily qualified. He doesn't have any national security intelligence background. I applied for FISA warrants prior to Congress. If we go dark next week, right before the World Cup, FIFA games and the 250th anniversary, that would be the most grossly irresponsible thing I've seen Congress do in my 22 years in office.

[Martha Raddatz]

Okay, thanks for joining us.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Always good to see you.

[Congressman Michael McCaul]

Thanks for having me.

[Martha Raddatz]

Coming up, the roundtable on the ripple effects from the Maine Senate race and why they're still counting votes in California. We'll be right back.

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[Chris Christie]

Tonight, the people of the great state of California in the greatest nation on

[Maine Voters]

earth have spoken

[Chris Christie]

loudly and proudly.

[Pete Hegseth]

We've got everything we need to make California golden again, except for a good governor. And very soon we will have that as well.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

We're going to wait till every ballot is counted.

[Maine Voters]

We're going to give democracy a time to work. And we know we finished really strong.

[Martha Raddatz]

The top three candidates in the California governor's race after Tuesday's primary. The field is not set yet. The roundtable is here to discuss that

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

and more when we come back.

[Martha Raddatz]

The roundtable's all here, former DNC chair

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Donna Brazile, New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser, National Review editor Ramesh Panuru, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Welcome to you all. Ramesh, I want to start with you and go back to Graham Planter, your Platner. Your Washington Post column from Friday is titled Platner is a Strange Reason for Democrats to Dump Moral Standards. You talked to Lindsey Fifield and you saw you say the texts that were written.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

That's right, the texts that Fifield wrote to a group of friends in August of 2025 mention what she describes as Platner's Nazi tattoo. Platner claims he didn't know about the Nazi associations of that tattoo until two months later in October.

[Martha Raddatz]

18 years.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

That's right, that he had on his chest for 18 years. And frankly, the story, his story has always been unbelievable and her explanation is better corroborated and I think grants some credence to everything else she's saying and subtracts it from what he's been saying.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And we should say he denies those accusations from her. Donna, what are you hearing from Democratic Party leaders?

[Donna Brazile]

Well, as you know, there's a group of Democrats called Bedwetters. I've never joined the club, but there are a bunch of Bedwetters right now who are once again saying what the what's going on in man, Chuck Schumer thought he had it right to run the Governor Janet Mills, she decided to drop out in April. Didn't have the resources, didn't have the big momentum. Mr. Platner has the momentum. I don't know if he can continue to curry favor with traditional Maine Democrats. But right now, he's the unconventional candidate that has a lot of red flags. He wasn't properly vetted. But there are many people in Maine who are saying to folks like me, back off. No outsiders should, you know, tell us what to do. They will make their own minds up on Tuesday. But there's no question that we're dealing with a populist movement on the left similar to what we saw on the right. It doesn't matter how many flaws, how many checks he has in his past, people won't change.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And Chris Christie, what is your take on this? You've seen Congressman Ro Khanna as you did as well, sticking to this, saying, look, I believe in forgiveness.

[Chris Christie]

Well, Roe's running for president, so everything's got to be seen within that context for him. But I would say two things. One, the stuff we're hearing on Platner in any other lifetime would be disqualifying just one of them, let alone the whole accumulation of them. And worse yet, his story is inconsistent. He talks about his dark past, yet the sex thing is in 2025, I don't know how dark a past that is. It seems pretty recent to me. But what I caution people is John Fetterman is the United States senator from Pennsylvania. And at the time he was running, he couldn't speak. We had to run questions in writing at his debate. So Don is right. Voters are making decisions based on very unconventional thoughts. And in Maine, I still think it's a challenge for Susan Collins. But as I said here last week, people who have bet against Susan Collins have lost a lot of money over the years. And I will just tell you, I think she's one of the most resilient politicians I've met. And I think Mr. Plattner is going to be in for quite a rude awakening when he gets toe to toe with Susan Collins come this fall.

[Martha Raddatz]

And Susan, I want to ask you

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

again about the kind of the bigger picture here for Democrats and then those who are supporting, stay with him. Whatever you heard Mark Warner kind of say, if it's true, it's disturbing. We'll leave it to Maine voters. But are Democrats in some ways ceding a moral high ground? They have obviously criticized other candidates and Republicans and Donald Trump.

[Martha Raddatz]

Is it ceding a moral high ground now?

[Donna Brazile]

Well, look, I mean, it Tells you something that we're spending so much time talking about a possible main Democratic Senate nominee when, you know, there's any number of politicians in either party that you can talk about. This is a golden age, unfortunately. Politicians who are ridden with scandals that in the past, any one of us would have, you know, taken great offense at. And for Democrats, the bottom line is they really need to win this main Senate race if they're going to win. And I think their argument is the practical one, which is, in the age of increased polarization and partisanship, senators are increasingly just voting down the party line. So does it make a difference if a morally flawed senator from Texas, you know, Paxton, is just voting down the line for Donald Trump, or a morally flawed senator from Maine, Graham Platner, is voting down the line against Donald Trump? Unfortunately, I think that's the terms of our politics right now.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And, Donna, I just want to follow up with you on that about ceding moral ground. You heard Senator Warner very concerned about kind of lowering the bar.

[Donna Brazile]

Character matters. I mean, I will say that until the cows come home. But at the same time, we're also both political parties. We're dealing with elements of voters who are frustrated with the status quo, frustrated with the establishment. And they can look at this guy with the tattoo and all his other failures and say, you know what? He's not the establishment. He's going to speak up for me, and he wants somebody to break the glass.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

But there's also a dynamic here where the partisans on each side justify themselves by looking at the bad examples on the other side.

[Congressman Ro Khanna]

That's right.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

So, so many people, when I criticize Platner, came back at me and said,

[Donna Brazile]

well, what about Trump?

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

And Trump succeeding despite all of his scandals and all of his character flaws means weakened back Platner. That is the logic of a moral race to the bottom that we're seeing in both parties.

[Chris Christie]

I'd also say that I agree with your. With your theory here, Martha, and I think it's gonna make it hard for national Democrats to take off after Ken Paxton. You know, Paxton's got a lot of these other personal moral issues that have been raised by John Cornyn in the primary and will certainly be raised by James Talarico in the fall. But I think a lot of people are gonna be saying, I don't wanna hear it. You're talking about Graham Platner up in Maine, and you guys are, wait till Ro Khanna is taken off against Ken Paxton, which I'm sure you will. But where's his Standing when he's standing behind Platner. And by the way to the idea that it doesn't matter because of party line votes. Ask the voters in Pennsylvania. John Fetterman is so erratic that he is making votes now that are not along the Democratic Party line. Now he has his own ability to make that judgment cuz he's an elected United States Senator. But don't tell me it doesn't matter when someone has no character or is unqualified for the job or is walking around the United States Senate in shorts and hoodies. You know, it does make a difference and character does matter. And Democrats can argue that's the truth in the White House, but it doesn't apply to Maine.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And Susan, I want to switch here to California. They're still counting millions of votes. There's a lot of mail in ballots there. But what the heck is going on there?

[Donna Brazile]

It is not a case study in a finely tuned small D Democratic operation. Right. I think people, a lot of people, big questions about it. But the bigger question I think in California is, you know, this is the heartland of Democratic votes, right? Like this is a heavily, heavily Democratic state. And I think it's very interesting how strongly a Republican candidate for governor ran in the state. Democrats were divided and I think a lot of people are wondering how they ended up with essentially a pretty lackluster candidate, Xavier Becerra as the main Democrat, it looks like. But days later we're still looking for an outcome there.

Martha, look, 23 million.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

It is a strongly Democratic state.

[Martha Raddatz]

What does it say?

[Donna Brazile]

What it says is that they are methodical. They need more election administrators, more people who can help them count. But in order to provide 23 million Californians with an absentee ballot, you gotta give them an opportunity to get them in, get them in early, get them in on election day. But you also have to count them. And they do it in a very methodical way. 70% of the votes are in. I know people are frustrated with the vote count, but that's the process, that's what the voters wanted.

[Martha Raddatz]

And Chris, is there a possibility that

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

a Republican could win? We got about 20 seconds.

[Chris Christie]

Look, I think there's a possibility because here's the problem. When Gavin Newsom is more concerned about running for president than establishing a bench in his state of someone to succeed him, that's how you wind up with Xavier Becerra. Because the incumbent governor didn't say this is the right person cuz he was worried about presidential politics.

[Martha Raddatz]

Okay, don't go anywhere. We've got More roundtable ahead, including whether Republicans are finally pushing back against some of the president's agenda. We're back in two minutes.

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[Donna Brazile]

Is the $1.8 billion DOJ fund dead

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

or is it on hold?

[Senator Mark Warner]

It's. I'd have to ask the lawyers. I don't know. I know one thing. The weaponization. Are you talking about the weaponization fund? The weaponization fund, as far as I'm concerned, was a beautiful thing. It was something I was. I didn't make it, but I was. I heard that. I thought that was the greatest thing.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Okay.

[Martha Raddatz]

And we are back with the roundtable.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And Ramesh, I want to start with you on the blowback this week to president's nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney General and Bill Pulte for director of the dni. A lot of blowback from both sides.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

Yeah, I think more on Pulte because it's such a shocking departure from even Trump era standards to have somebody with zero national security experience put up for this position. Blanche is also getting a lot of pushback, but the problem there is that Blanche is already acting and will continue to.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Certainly is.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

Yeah, will continue to be able to do that even if the Senate doesn't act on his nomination.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Chris, I want to read you a statement from the Justice Connection, a group of former DOJ officials in response to Blanche's nomination. They said Blanche has abandoned what he learned about blind justice and ethical law enforcement as a career federal prosecutor. His unwavering fealty to the president and destruction of institutional norms should disqualify him from leading the only agency with its foundation, foundational virtue in its name.

[Chris Christie]

Look, Todd Blanche was by all accounts an outstanding assistant U.S. attorney when he was in the Southern District in New York, and then he left and became Donald Trump's personal attorney. And when you do that, you make a fundamental decision about as a lawyer, whether your Loyalty is to the law or to Donald Trump, cuz it can't be to both. And Todd Blanche has showed us both as Deputy Attorney General and now as Acting Attorney General, the choice he's made. And he's made loyalty to the President first and foremost. And only someone who makes that choice could have come up with this idea of the weaponization fund and actually put it out there as a legitimate idea. And I think when people in the United States Senate are considering this, they shouldn't consider the fact that he was willing to back off of the fund once he was threatened, but the fact that he was willing to put it forward in the first place. And that's just one of probably a dozen examples we could talk about where Todd Blanche has betrayed the tradition of the Justice Department and betrayed the idea of rule of law. And as someone who served as a U.S. attorney for seven years, I do not recognize the department that I used to work for.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Susan, let's talk about that anti weaponization fund. You saw him with Kaitlan Collins there. What happens now?

[Donna Brazile]

Yeah, well, that's a remarkable title. First of all, Martha, you know, let's be clear about what's happening here. And Todd Blanche has really transformed the mission of the Justice Department under Trump in his second term to going after, systematically going after personal and political opponents of the president using launching criminal investigations against them on spurious grounds. Not only is this $1.8 billion, Blanche refused to rule it out in writing. That's the reason why reporters like Kaitlan Collins, an excellent reporter from cnn, are going and asking the President directly. You didn't hear him disavow this. And more to the point, there are so many potentially disqualifying things that we've already seen from Blanche. It would be a remarkable statement if some of these Republican senators who claim constantly to be concerned about Donald Trump's actions, if they were to move ahead and to confirm him, not only is there the $1.8 billion fund, remember the other aspect of this settlement? Donald Trump sued his own government and came to an agreement, a quote, unquote settlement with the government he controls, in which essentially the IRS agreed never to investigate Donald Trump and his family members. Basically meaning that the President of the United States could never pay his taxes and never be accountable for not doing that. You and I would not have that situation with the irs. Todd Blanche should be held accountable by that. I would think many senators would believe. And I just think it's a test right now to see can Donald stump, can Donald Trump still proceed with Things that would be unthinkable from any other president, or is this Republican Senate actually going to follow through? If that's the case, then they don't have the votes to confirm it.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Donna, how do Democrats capitalize on the pushback that he's getting?

[Donna Brazile]

Everything from the Epstein files sitting down with a, Was she a convicted sex offender? I want to make sure I get it right. A convicted sex offender and given her a pass to go to a country club prison in Texas. That's number one. The entire way he handled the Epstein files, the redactions and everything else, he has ensured that Donald Trump is above the law. I think he's disqualified and the Senate Democrats should bring it all up and he should not be confirmed.

[Ramesh Ponnuru]

Weaponization fund, triumphal arches, the reflecting pool. One of the problems I think Republicans have in this election is they are focusing on everything except affordability. And President Trump keeps saying things like, it's not a real issue. I don't care about it. I don't think about it. Well, American public people do because their paychecks are not keeping up with their bills.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

And are people really keeping track of that? That kind of stunned me. I thought we haven't actually talked about

[Martha Raddatz]

affordability for a while either, because there's so many distractions and so many other

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

things going back to affordability.

[Chris Christie]

Oh, they're keeping track of it because they're the ones who have to pay the bills.

[Martha Raddatz]

Exactly right.

[Chris Christie]

So they're keeping track of it. And look, that's what midterm elections are about. They are a report card on the president. And if he controls Congress, his party, on what they've done based upon what they promised in 2024. And let's remember the core promises. He was going to make the economy bigger and better. He was going to lower prices immediately. He was going to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, and he was going to stop endless, useless wars. He's 0 for 4. And all this other stuff is interesting, the arch and the other things that bother us. But let me tell you, when it comes down to it, he's 0 for 4. And the midterms look ugly and Republicans know it.

[Donna Brazile]

Well, there is a connection.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

We got to wrap it up here, Susan. But there is a connection to all of this. Indeed. We'll be back in a week.

[Martha Raddatz]

Our thanks to everyone. We'll be right back with a tribute to our former colleagues.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

Jim Wooten.

[Jim Wooten]

Good morning, David. Well, you know, we've had presidents in that old mansion, Democrats and Republicans, a little bit to the left, a little bit to the right, all of whom have come under attack at one time or another from either the extreme left or the extreme right.

[Martha Raddatz]

That was our former colleague Jim Wooten, reporting for this Week from a snowy White house back in 1982. Few people at ABC News had a way with words like Jim, who died last week at the age of 88. For years, he was a cornerstone of this broadcast since its launch as this Week With David Brinkley in 1981, regularly leading the show with his reporting and insights on the week's most pressing news

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

in the world of politics.

[Martha Raddatz]

And he covered multiple presidential campaigns and conventions in his two decades here. Jim also reported from more than 40 countries and five continents for ABC News, bringing his gift for storytelling and reporting to corners of the world in desperate need of attention. Our thoughts are with Jim's family this morning.

[Moderator/Host (Martha Raddatz)]

He will be missed.

[Martha Raddatz]

And that's all for us today. Thanks for sharing part of your Sunday with us. Check out World News tonight and have a great day.

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