Will and Brian begin with a discussion about Trump’s official re-election announcement. Both agree that Trump has better odds than the average pundit gives him to keep his position, but they differ slightly on why he could win. Will argues that the base will be enough to see him through while Brian posits that Democrats could likely unseat him if they spent less time debating one another and instead focused on a concentrated campaign against Trump. Ultimately, Brian argues that his base sees him as Teflon Don and that his control of the media is underacknowleged by political opponents. Will argues that with the economy doing well and no actual military conflict, Trump should be able to keep America great.
Next, they turn to Hope Hicks’ testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Neither Will nor Brian are surprised that Hicks has not been willing to discuss what Democrats want to hear about, but they both acknowledge Democrats will keep trying to find information to help make a case that Trump has obstructed justice. Brian sees this as essential to preserving democracy as we understand it in America while Will believes Democrats are costing themselves time and resources by focusing on an already galvanized issue rather than going after the president on policy grounds. In the end, they both wonder what utility Democrats will ultimately gain from this and what could be accomplished if efforts were devoted to other areas.
They then turn to discussing the Eddie Gallagher trial currently underway. Both believe this is an issue that merits an investigation, but they differ on culpability. Brian finds the alleged actions reprehensible while Will believe Gallagher needed greater support prior to being sent back into a combat zone. While neither excuses his alleged behavior, Will finds the testimony of a medic to raise serious questions. Both believe this is reasonable doubt, but Will points to the immunity granted to the medic as a potential sign that the government was looking to muddy the waters and avoid President Trump having to ultimately pardon Gallagher for his crime. Brian agrees and adds that if we want to improve our image abroad, avoiding allegations of incidents like this would be a great first step.
Lastly, Will and Brian conclude with a discussion of recent activities in Iran, focusing on the Revolutionary Guard’s decision to shoot down an American drone this week. Will is perplexed by the response to last week’s cargo ship bombing allegations and the announcement this week that it must have been a mistake to shoot down the drone. Brian is concerned about maintaining territorial sovereignty while also protecting national interests. Both agree that a war with Iran would not be a useful endeavor given the lack of an endgame.
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Police Conduct, Afghanistan Withdrawal
Reconciliation, SALT, Gun Control, COVID Passports, Supreme Court Reforms
Infrastructure, Georgia Voting Law, NCAA at the Supreme Court
Mass Shootings, Biden News Conference, Voting Rights & The Filibuster
Border Crisis, Georgia Shootings, US / China Talks
Uzuegbunam v. Preczewiski, Biden’s Record, Voting Rights, Trump Tells RNC to Cease and Desist
COVID Bill, For The People Act, Joe Manchin, CPAC & Trump
James Morone on our “Republic of Wrath”
McConnell on Trump, COVID Bill, Equality Act, Neera Tanden, “Fake News” Hearings
Rep. Rob Wittman on The Chinese Threat and US Strategic Preparedness
McConnell v Trump, Trump's Acquittal, Politicizing the Freeze, COVID Round Three
Impeachment Trial, A New Party?, Georgia Investigates Trump
Stimulus Talks, Greene, Cheney, and the GOP, Trump Impeachment
Impeachment Part 2, Organization of the Senate, Leahy's Health, Biden's Executive Actions
President Biden’s Inauguration and Executive Actions
Capitol Riot, Republican Reactions, Trump’s Second Impeachment
The Insurrection, Trump’s Culpability, Social Media’s Role, the Future of the American Presidency
Trump Overridden, COVID Stimulus, Vaccine Rollout, Election Challenges
COVID Relief, Russian Hacking, Election Challenges, Barr Resigns
SCOTUS Rejects Election Challenge, Vaccine Approval, Facebook Antitrust, COVID Talks
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