LeBron James and NBA Free Agency

This is an IiHart podcast Guaranteed human. Hey guys, it's Dasha here. The World Cup brings cities to life. Streets buzzing, crowds gathering, every goal sparking celebration. Moments like this are impossible to miss, but some moments are so quiet They slip right past us. Human trafficking affects real people across the US, and it often looks different from what we think. Some survivors cannot simply walk away or ask for help. so learn the signs. Break the silence. Visit bluecampaign d. gov slash World Cup. US NYC returns to the Jabbit Center july sixteenth through the nineteenth for the biggest sports event weekend of the summer. S stars like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Aron Judge, John Cina, Jhalen Brunson, Serena Williams, and hundreds more, featuring more than five hundred athletes and celebrities, live shows. exclusive merch, rare collectles, Sonnatics games with two million dollars in prizes, a full taillegate zone in New York City's largest indoor field W a World Cup final W watchatch party Fanatics Fest is the world's number one sports fan festival. Get your tickets now at fanaticspest. com. That's fanaticspest d. com Horseshoe Online Casino has a special offer for you, New Jersey. New users can get five hundred bonus spins in their first month on games like Huff and lots of puff and more. It's simple and rewarding to play your casino favorites. Download and play today. Must be twenty one plus and physically present in New Jery. mininimum wagering within five days required to unlock bonuses. Full terms and wagering requirements at horseshoe onnlinecasino dot com slash promos If you are someone you know is a gambling problem, call one eight hundred gambler Right in of the United States of America Here in New Jersey, every school day begins with the pledge of allegiance. every school day, they learn a little more about our shared history so they can help build a brighter future for us all That's how we will live up to that promise made two hundred and fifty years ago We' never be justice for all No So since Chuck and I recorded our pod, our new pod, super Tuesdays on Monday afternoon, there's been a lot of news on the sports and the political front. and we talked about both of these things in the podcast to come. So I wanted to do quick update The U.S men's national team delivered an absolute stinker of a performance, losing four to one to Belgium. and I'll be honest, the final score it was probably not as close as the final score suggested. Floren Baligan being relieved of the red card, Donald Trump getting involved on up not mattering at all because Balliggan didn't really impact the game in any meaningful W, I will know Chuck Chuck who is en route to upstate New York or Western New York right now. So I made an executive decision that I would just quickly He Chuck sends us in from the Midas Touch noting that when Trump touches some sports stuff, it doesn't work out well. So obviously, Trump gets involved for Flow Balligan to have FIFA rescind the red card or postpone the red card. Balligan plays US loses for one. Here are a bunch of other, this is Via Mitas touch Trump attended the Super Bowl and predicted a Kansas City Chief's win, but the Eagles blew them out. Trump was there when the commanders toasted the lions and lost at home. He watched from a swite as Miami fell in the college football national championship game. He sat in the owner suite when the Nick stpp snapped their huge playoff streak and then the NBA Finals game three, and he attended the Ryder Cup where Europe the U. S So The curse of Trump. I mean, I think that's probably a little overblown, but yeah, not a good performance by the U. S, disappointing, but Baligan and him playing wind up not making a difference. now I said there's big news on the sports and politics front. On the politics front. Chuck and I, you'll hear talked a little bit about these rumors that were swirling around Graham Platner. This was on Monday afternoon. and that Platner had canceled some campaign events and there was a rumor of a big story dropping. Well, that big story dropped a couple hours four or five o'clock on the East Coast on Monday. And what it was is that a woman named Jenny Raso who had dated Platner, told Politico that he had sexually assaulted her having sex with her against her will five years ago This was Rasico was quoted in a New York Times story that came out a few weeks ago where they talked to a bunch of women who had dated Platinner and said that he had made them feel not great, not safe all the time, but had never risen to the level of a sexual assault claim. Well, Rosco said I want to go on the record and I'm going to say that this is what happened She is a Democrat. She says in the political story that she know, it was hard for her because her politics are in agreement with Platner, but she wanted the public to know, the voting public to know who Platner is and how he behaves Platner as of ten thirty PM on Monday night, which is when I'm taping this, had not yet dropped out of the race. Virtually everyone in the Democratic Party has called on Platner to drop out. Ruben Gaieego, the senator from Arizona, who had endorsed him, rescinded his endorsement, Roana, the congressman from California who had endorsed Platinner Rcinda's endorsement, the main Democratic Party has called on Platinner to drop out. Chuck Schumer and the head of the Democratic Senatorial campaign commommittee, Kirirsten Gilibrand have called on Platner to drop out. Platner is only released a video where he says these allegations are false, but considering what to do in my next steps. I don't really think he has a lot of options. There's a New York Times item from Shamee Goldmacer that moved across the transanceom at about eight o'clock that says Graam Planner has not made a decision on whether to drop out who added there was no guarantee he would drop out even as Democrats abandoned his campaign on Monday. quQuote, If he was to step down, it would only be with a guarantee of being replaced by a candidate who he believes is true to the values and vision and policy agenda of the campaign that Maine voted for said the person who was granted anonymity because they're not authorized to speak about the discussions publicly. I think Grant Planner misunderstands his leverage right now. He doesn't have any leverage Like you were being driven out of this race. If Graham Planner is not out of this race by the end of Tuesday, I would be stunned. Here's how it would work. He has until july thirteenth to leave the race. and be replaced on the ballot by the main Democratic Party. If he leaves the race, the main Democratic Party is until july twenty seventh two weeks after that thirteenth deadline, so three weeks from today to announce who their pick is to replace Platner on the belt to take on Susan Collins. Graham Platner's trying to trying to say he'll only get out if if there's someone who's replacing him on the belt who he approves of and who shares his values. Dude, you're not in a position to be making demands Right? I think the race is over For Platner. I think Democrats should have known, and I think Chuck very much agrees with me here, Democrats should have known. They should have seen the writing on the wall. Chuck and I talked many times about how this was a giant gamble by Democrats to go forward nominating Platinner after the Reddit potes and the Nazi line tattoo and the New York Times story about how he treated women in his past. L there were so many red flags here that you know, Democrats should count themselves lucky that they at least have a way to replace Platinner on the ballot, a legal way to replace Platinner on the ballot by july twenty seventh. But I would assume he does not his campaign does not last another twenty four hours. And then the question will be who steps in? A lot of people, I think, you know, the governor's race on the Democratic side was very crowded. A lot of Democrats who did not win that race. Hannah Pingry wound up winning that race, the Democratic ecomy who also, by the way, is called for Platinner to get out of the race She wins, but a bunch of other quality candidates didn't win there. Is there someone there who winds up being the pick of the state Democratic Party Is Shelley Pingry, the member of Congress whose daughter the is the Democratic nominee for governor? Might she be the pick? She's actually probably hurt by the fact that her daughter is the Democratic nominee for governor. But man All really a ton of action happening after Chuck and I taped. We wanted to share something with you. We hope as we say in this, we hope you enjoy our new super Tuesday podcast coming out, suuper Tuesdaydayss podcast coming out every Tuesday Spotify, Apple podcasts, IHart radio. Anywhere you get your podcast, you can subscribe and make sure you are alerted when there are new episodes. So enjoy our conversation. We talk a lot about Trump. We talked about a lot of things other than the US men's national Soccer teeam and Graham Platner, but I wanted to give you updates on that so it didn't feel outdated when you came to those sections. All right, everyone, sign up, subscribe, share, like. Super Tuesays is here Please, Chuck, I'm Chris I can we look back First of all buddy. welcome back I'aring the L I'm Barrying Lee. Welcome to Super Tuesday. This is We've been doing this together But were You know, it's one of those things that's like, So we're doing the same thing except instead of releasing on Monday, it's releasing on Tuesday. and instead of on just one feed, it's going to go through a bunch of feeds. But yes What it really is, it's just sort of like a A show just went just got syndicated. So the Yeah. Chris and Chuck show got syndicated. We're very excited I would say for a we've been doing this, as you said for a while now and one of the things that I've always kept coming back to is this was always good financially for me because people are like, o, hey, I want to check, check check,uck, check, cheuck out. But we I wanted to make sure you were getting something out of it. I want to make sure as many people we wanted to make sure as many people as possible could get it in this now We'll be on Well how do we like to say, Chuck? All all of your podcast app, you know, Spotify, Apple Music, iHart, all those places it will now exist. You can you can check it out and it will come out Tuesdays, hence the name Super Tuesdays.uper If you need to know why we named it super Tuesdays, then then you're probably probably need a good listener. Yeah. Just type in super Tuesdays into the internet and it'll tell you. Yes. so it God, I just got a text, there's a new Amazon recruit The Amazon recruitment people keep trying me. Oh, That's Really. Okay. No no, that's not spam. You should definitely send them your social security. I should send them alluff So yes, exciting news for us, but what I would say is the user experience might change a little where you get it, but you're going to be able to get it in a lot more places, but the content's not going to change. No going to the bad dad puns, the suon will come Yes likemorrow We'll st Wow, you really had that one ready. I like that. Yeah, it's the best I had for today. Nothing wrong with that. Pure balm. Anyway. can we I want to go back before we go forward briefly. Yeah. Well actually they don go as long as we want, but I wound up watching, I don't know why this may speak to the lameness of my life, but I wound up watching ninety percent of Trump's speech on july fourth. and then I watched theeditation. know. Yeah,' a fun read. What didn't you make of not just the speech but the whole thing right? the fireworks and the rain and the, you know The whole thing, I say this So look, I don't remember the bicentennial, but I got to but I was at I was in New York for the one hundredth anniversary of the Statue of Liberty How cool So this was an eighty six, nineteen eighty six And so it's it's and I remember then talking to people who were around then who were who were They We were in Battery park, my aunt and I and we experienced the whole thing had the ship parade and all this stuff. and Yeah. I mean, New York does awesome, you know, and yes, the visuals side of New York were amazing. The tall ships thing is so cool. It's so cool U And look, it was the greatest fireworks display I'd ever seen at the time Yeah And so But I think about it You know what I don't remember about the Statue of Liberty in nineteen eighty six was Ronald Reagan deciding it was all about him I don't remember Ronald Reagan going to bre, you know, it was like, you know, deciding that the hundredth anniversary of this was somehow the, you know, was somehow it was going to be all about him And by the way He was in the sixth year of his his time as president. This is six year of his time second term. Right. I was reading some accounts of Gerald Ford and how he you know what he did on july fifth, by the way, in nineteen seventy six? No He went to a u a naturalization ceremony. And It was like And you know, you know what he when he brought up November, he brought up November. And by the way, that was a presidential election here in Sep. Yes. R imagine what Trump would have done if this would have been a president. Right And his name was on the ballot. Right, right. Gerald Ford basically simply, the only time he referenced the November election was to say, this is what we do in our country Yeah, which is a totally like it's it into democracy. It's not a partisan. I lay all that out there in that I did have a high bar I know Trump can't ever meet low bars, let alone high bars. Now. T hundred fifty is that we've spent six, seven years planning for, right? That committee's been around a long time We have some of the most amazing storytellers in history that all work for the U.S. government, we call it the Smithsonian So the ability of us to do something amazing and big is right here The fact that this president just threw all of that in the garbage and just walked away from all of that I mean, I look, we can sit here and go through, you know, he doesn't understand the story of America. maybe And we've talked about that many times Y. And the thing is is none of this is new But I will tell you, And I know and I did this today in my pod I probably went a little long on this because I found the hash tag the truck Todcast. I found the financial disclosure You' the biggest insult We have talked about this. it is just for people very quickly, for people unfamiliar, Donald Trump made six hundred twenty two million dollars in twenty twenty four when he was running for president. He made two point two Billion dollars his first year as president, including one point four billion of that from crypto. Go ahead, Chuck No, but he also, you know, madeade a couple of hundred grand on Bibles And this is Yeah the Trump Bible. It's of just little junk. just chotky, not aase before somebody cuts us up No, we are not, I am not saying the Bible is junk. I'm saying the stuff he's selling childop Greenwood Bibles. Right. Apparently there' whichich by the way, wasn't it the Oklahoma Someone some elected official in Oklahoma was trying to make that the mandated Bible that all Yes, Ryan Walters state Super Dend of Education. who who was It too controversial for the Oklahoma Republican Party about Unbelieable. Anyway, yes, Chotskys. He's selling Chotyy Chotkey I think Trump really underestimates how much this is gonna I just think that combined and maybe you can say I'm wishful thinking about this But I think the combination of him essentially peeing on American history And this Confession I mean, I look the fact that he filled out the financial disclosure we should be thankful for. It's the one Watergate reform that hasn't been thrown away by courts or the president Um So it's by the way, imagine what he didn't put on there U that reminds me of the Spyab cover. You got a woman on all fours with a leather clubbing shoving her face in the man You should round her neck smelling a man's hand You should have see what they wanted to put in her face. So good. Oh Frad dresser line. A dog falla around her neck smelling a man's hand. could know. Yeah. But yes, I do love the. You should have seen what we could have put in that financial disclosure, right? And so the point is is that I just think the combin the combo platter here, right. fininancial disclosure gets, you know, basically it's one of those holiday weekend stories where Do I think it most of it penetrated? No. I think two, you know But it's the type of headline that you're ling confirms what you already kind of knew about him U And that's the thing. he behaved in the most extreme versions of himself We always knew he's out for himself. We always he wants to make everything about himself, but he went to like extreme versions of that of him both in the financial and the second term and how he like I don't think first term Trump would have been this narcissistic about. He'd have been a little bit more deferential to the system in his first term Well he was. I mean, he was the people surrounding him, right? Y that wouldn't have allowed him to , you know, there's there there's nothing but enablers around them. And ye, and years's to tell And how you know this is not politics for Republicans right now or him Tell me the number of elected officials that decided to spend the thirth of July with the. I mean, there was not. I thought the exact same thing. You could have had a thing on stage with senators and members of Congress standing up I wanted to be there did You know nor did any of them really talk? It's not like they were like, thank you, President Trump. I mean, right I mean, by the way, who all went to the UFC match? It wasn't exactly a who's who It the cabinet the cabinet' too. R. And then the like Ted Cruises of the world who are there because they for obvious transparent political reasons. But people that need to win votes this year are they showing up to these things? Are they wanting to show up next time And I think it's ye, I, you know, I think that speaks I think that absence speaks volumes. I think it's so important point wasn' a pat He was he was celebrating his version of patriotism pretty much by himself. Y And I feel like that's in some ways the story of Trump is like he he's grown he has grown increasingly isolated. Yeah. You know, I mean, yes, he' still like that's the thing. It's like he has his hangers on or whatever, but the part is fors I think, you know, so we talk about this case shaped economy a lot, right? Yeah which is you know If you've got money, this economy is not has been going pretty well and you keep making more money. And if you don't It's a real challenge I think Trump is so insulated from eighty percent of America struggles with this economy that he doesn't have any idea. It's why he doesn't believe. Nice the thing if you If you start to, if you if you accept the premise that he actually doesn't He lives in literally a gilded cage. Yes. Then it's understandable then he goes out there and says, I think this affordability line totally is made up toally. O I think that if It's the only explanation really Ch in Right, And nobody around him experienced it no because he surrounded himself with a lot, a lot of wealthy people in the second wealthy people. Yeah. And it's only the rich and it's only those that So I do think he's more out of touch than he's ever been And obviously, the older he gets, the less mobile he's going to be. the Y he's going to travel, the less he's going to do all those things.. It's only going to be more self isolating all the time. I mean Um It's u I mean, like I said, I just think this weekend was a I don't I think it was bad politics for the Republican Party And it certainly was bad politics for Trump's legacy you know, but that's been that that's been true so predictable so many things over the last eighteen months in the second term But you know, there's this Here's the Here's the sort of rabbit hole I went down this morning , which was Is this finally it Is this not the beginning, you know, I said, Yeah, you know, are we at the you know, and I believe we're we're now finally at late stage Trump Trump ism. And we just okay It'll be easier once it once it's over for us to see when late stage O course, right? Yes. And I went through all of the times and we thought, well, he'll never survive this We have been through this since basically a month after a month after one I know we'll get rightady. You right about one of these things It's like predicting the Redsx win the World Series. No, but I mean, going all the way back to july twenty fifteen when he says, I prefer my war heroes not captured. R att least some of us have been saying, well, that's it. So I think there's I think they're saying natural resistance to it, but explain why you give me a quick rundown of why you think late stage Trumpism is here because I do think that's an interesting I mean, part of which the natural timing, right? I I almost the second hf of the second h. I gott to say, this to me is just the rhythm of of Yeah politics. Yeah. He's, you know, and he's no longer self correcting Right? He doesn't have the ability to self correct. He's always struggled with self correction. Yes. But every once in a while, he, you know, obviously he was good enough at it to win the presidency twice Y so And he's not been able to self so he's limited in his ability to self correct. He's got limited influence now over his own party who now I think that's so important. So when you put all of those things together, Yes, you know, I don't think we're at the, you know The question is, you know, like do Can you imagine him ever being over forty five percent job approval for the rest of his term? what would be really hardor. right? I just even if there was some kind of national knock on wood national tragedy It doesn't he number one, I think he's too far gone in how people perceive him. Number two, he isn't an empathetic rally around figure. The speech on july fourth is a perfect example of that, right? I mean, I went through but there he's clearly reading from the prompter and see this this this attempt to be big, big this America from the The bl blah, by the way, he's got speech writers that like clearly are using AI to write these like Yeah like this big pation at the end like, But even in that he can't stick to it, Chuck. He'll be like and and Americans never and he doesn't finish the line. right. Americans never quit Just like I never quit fighting and I should have been elected to a third term. Do you what I mean? You're like, Oh my God. Like he just he can't I think that this so and I sel correction thing is important and this and you and I have talked about this before. You've made this point the the discipline might not be the right word as it relates to Trump, but the ability to h correct, but also to be like as disciplined as he can be, his filter, his The thing that keep under one hundred and eighty miles an hour is off. Yeah. it's all it's all worse. And then if you go through you know, what's going to happen is that whoever was whoever is capable around him is looking for an exit. No. So just wa if you think if if if you if you're If you think that there are a few guardrails in this current staff What Wait until next year. I was gonna to say wait until post election post midterms when there will be an exodus. Especially if it's Democratic control acc country Hey guys, it's Dasha here. The World Cup brings cities to life. Streets buzzing, crowds gathering, every goal sparking celebration. Moments like this are impossible to miss, but some moments are so quiet They slip right past us. Human trafficking affects real people across the U.S, and it often looks different from what we think. Some survivors cannot simply walk away or ask for help. So learn the signs. Break the silence. Visit bluecampaign d. gov slash World Cup Fanatics Fest NYC returns to the Javbit Center july sixteenth through the nineteenth for the biggest sports event weekend of the summer. 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If you are someone you know is a gambling problem, call one eight hundred gambler Right in The United States of America Here in New Jersey, every school day begins with the pledge of Allegiance. And every school day, they learn a little more about our shared history so they can help build a brighter future for us all That's how we will live up to that promise made two hundred and fifty years ago. We've never be in justice for all No Look, I always tell people it'll get better, but it's probably gonna to get worse first. I mean, that's my belief is that it will get uglier. He he he will never capitulate. And so that means he will go But he will corner himself more and more and more. and lash out more and more and more. I mean, that's just what he does, it's what he's always done So like he's going to be like, you know, like remember Obama, what word do he say? like they delivered a spanking or a smacking wind Republicans in the midterm Sacking was the word. I knew it was an S And you know, it was like, well, in theory, I'm going to have to work with these people and we're going to figure out what went wrong. Trump will never do that, right? Like, can you envision november fourth elections over, let's just say Republicans lose the House and Senate What will he say? He won't say this was a rejection of, you know, we need to course correct, blah, blah, blah. He will say,, it's all rigged and we didn't really lose. And if only Republicans had listened to me and aligned themselves closer to me instead of running for me, we would have want like there's no world by which he delivers a shllacking speech or anything close to it, right? No No, it's going to be all about socialists or he won't say socialists anymore. They're using communists. Communists They have to change their language because they used to just call liberal socialist and that was enough. now now He's gott to go further. Now they're sef identifying a socialist you a different name, right. It's's like what the left calling nationalist fascists, right? It's like, you know Nationalism used to be in itself an attack line. and then you're like, oh no. they embrace this. So now You know, now you got to You know, I don't know how much more extreme ourhetoric can get, but it's more extreme. I was going to say we're gonna to find out. All right, so let's look forward through this week. So Trump is either on his way or about to be on his way to Turkey. D't breakATo The T NATo summit. So This is what I want to raise. He has been consistent about almost nothing in his political career except tariffs And he hates NATO and thinks it does a disservice to the US Do you belieelve point What's the goal here for Trump C Trump. break NATO. It seems as though he does he clearly does not believe in the post World War I alliance structure. He wants kind of one offs that are negotiated with the U.S. that are more advantageous rather than these big group projects for lack of a better word where he feels like the US. gets screwed. The US does all the work in the group project and doesn't get en. What do you likeike the problem here's the problem with answering that question, Chris. Okay. is None of this make why he wants to break NATO makes no sense to me Okay unless you're in the bidding of somebody else. And I know that sounds comped now, paranoid and all this stuff, But every other rationale makes no sense. It makes America less safe, It makes our allies less reliant on us. I mean, you know, Thankate The part of Trump that people keep trying to tell me I should embrace more is the fact that he's a transactionalist. Well, I think that was true Now he's not he's not much of a transit. but there's still a he wants to be a transaction R. It's his nature is transaction So you can, you know So yeah, you deal with if you need somebody to deal with a corrupt enterprise, like FIFA, the best person to hire is somebody person with corrupt enterprises. Wait, wait, the organization that put the World Cup in Qatar in the summer when the average temperature is one hundred twenty degrees may be potentially corruptru Anyway So the reason It's like There is no good strategic reason for America to pull back from NATO What is his stated reason, Chuck What is his stated reason I don't know it. I'm asking you. The stated reason has always been we give more to them than they give back to us. Right. It's disadvantageous to us broadly. Yeah Problem for Trump on this is his affection for Russia and Putin When the fact of the matter is he shares the same goal as Putin. And which is weakening Europe. Correct? Yeah. why? Yeah Why does he want to do that I know I p wants to do it Why does it serve the United States to weaken and fracture Europe It is correct. It doesn't serve the good of the United States unless it's hard to imagine the only look the only the only way you can make positive case for it is if You're trying to weaken the rest of the world so that we look stronger by comparison The thing that you and I have talked about and I keep coming back to is that And I'm the foreign policy expert, but as I look at Trump, It seems as though he his worldview in a break with sort of how Pidents post World War two have looked at it, is that there are three superpowers, US, China, Russia. Now we can debate Russia. The first two, I think are non debatable. And that effectively, it's a spheres of influence. likeike, okay, we're going to get a bunch, China's gonna to get a bunch, Russia' is gonna to get a bunch. Everybody else is gonna have to like it or lump it. It doesn't matter. they don't really have the ability to do anything to us That's his theory of the case. is a guy like foreign policy from the five families of New York Yeah o Yeah, that's how he views foreign policy. It's basically no different than You know, the Co capaptain of that enterprise over there. Look It may be a joke of a country. It may be a gas station with nuclear weapons, but you know what it is? It's a gas station with nuclear weapons. Correct. So they do get to They do get to punch above their weight, right? That's that's sort of the mindset I think of Trump on this. And that's being that's the most generous version of it, right? That is Yes it is. not the nefarious aspects, but you know, the problem problem is that every time like Take the current moment we're in right now Putin hasn't been this week. ever Putin has not been this vulnerable The Russian leadership is hanging on by a threat Ukraine has them on the run. They're literally hiding in bunkers in Moscow. The leadership is hiding. They're petrified that these Ukrainian drones are going to find them kill them They have reached inside and created fear in Moscow. They created fear in St. Petersburg. Right? So it is All it would take would be for the Western Alliances to collectively turn the screws a little bit more on the economic and, you know, you have you clearly have a domestic population that is exhausted from this time is going on for right Putin has been does you know, he drafts his soldiers from the poorest people. Y. He is very careful to keep his elites from this war from touching his elites. So And Ukraine has decided we're going to make sure they're feeling this too, which is why Moscow and St. Petersburg have been in the crosshairs And the fact that we're not taking advantage of this moment permanently potentially weaken Putin to hobble Putin. rightight Yeah.on't do it. Instead, he's trying, he literally is the lifeline for Putin. He's still trying to resuscitate this idea of a peace plan when Ukraine has no reason to negotiate at the moment Z reason. They're about to get it all back. They're about to take Crimea back. They have made Crimea a vulnerability for the Russians now They're He won't pull back. even though he should and What are we doing Nothing. We're doing everything we can to resuscitate Putin, to keep him more viable It is so this is one of those things that sometimes the news being made is what isn't happening Totally in a moment where Putin is obviously vulnerable. Ukraine has them on the run. There's never been a better time to isolate Putin and we're not doing it or we're not taking part in an effort to do it. And by the way, I'm not sure given everything all the water under the bridge that the US could lead a coalition to do that at the led by Donald Trump at the moment. I mean, I think that's a real a real possibility is that Chuck Is it could have just be the I'm just I'm just trying to think through. I guess I'm not a believer in the like Russia has Secret. t of Donald Trump sleeping with prostitutes But could it just be he's attracted to a thing that we know to be true, which is he is attracted to strong men like And B knows like, you know what he former KGB. I will tell you know, like there's a there's a simpler way of looking at it. He usually is attracted to the rogues H just rogue. Yeah, because I think that's how he views himself, right. Right. He's sort of so if If all the elites who don't like him also, you know, he finds common, you know If you're asking me for a a less paranoid explanation of Yeah. I mean Putin. it would be the enemy of my enemies are is my ally, right which is the elites don't like me. the elites don't like Putin. Maybe there's something good with this guy. Y. you know. And I do think he wishes he were Putin Oh, I think he I think he would one way. I think he'd rather be a dictator I think he'd rather rule by fear When you when you've been this unlikable for as long as he's been unlikable, right? Like I think this is possible. This goes back to grade school. And you look, like I said I'll tell you words, you never hear. Donald Trump spent time with his high school friends. Donald No. Donald Trump had a went to a college reunion. right. He didn't have it right. If they existed, they would show up. None of them. He alienates everybody that ever gets close to him. somewhere between a six and eight year period. He had done it to his own family until he became president You know, the kids were starting to find distance Um Right, But then they realized this is a real money maker. It was a but This is going to be a gravy train. so let's. It's true though. even I mean, I think I think Obama is rightly criticized as being aloof At the same time, I always gave Obama credit in that he did keep a core group of people who were friends with them even even before the state legislature He'd like go golf with them once a year. He you know, they and obviously when he became president, they were around more, but like That does not exist with Donald Trump. It just doesn't He just, you know, there are there're no longtim friends. No You know, these are all transactional friends. I was going to say to the extent there's anyone, it's these it's the like u Howard Lutnicks of the world where's clearly like aarick. Right. Howard Lutniick is a guy who in five years is going to claim he wasn't ever that close to Donald Trump and he never really knew him very well. He just he totally wanted to get close because he wanted to be commommerce seecretary. But you watch. there'll be a whole slew of these people. Um which is which is appalling in its own right. We're all going to think that's Well, I, you know, I didn't know them that well, but I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to tootally helpel the country. Yeah, you know, I just I felt like I was called to serve blah blah, blah, yes. tootal now. Yeah It's you can see those PR statements being written now It's a remarkable thing. All right. I want to shift gears because I do want to talk I want to talk some about the Senate and I've got two stories. You mentioned with your The sun will come out McMurrow, which I do love. So Mallory McMorrow drops out of the a race. you and I' been telegraphed for two years. Yes. Yes. But originally the rumor was about Hailey Stevens dropping One of the two, either Stevens or McMarurrow is they thought has to drop out of the stop Abdual LIA. This has been It's been on the horizon for a while clearly in the head of Gary Peters for a while because yes and Chuck Schumer. Yeah. they you know, and you know, look McMarrow look like, you know, there's a brief period. she looked like she was going to be the better bet for theote unquote, non for the non. I think she couldt raise the money and then her and then and then her numbers didn't move. Stevens has money. Anyway, she drops out of the race. She doesn't endorse anyone. This is Sunday. She drops out of the race I am we've talked on this and I am fascinated by this The primary is on august the fourth, so a little less than a month You now have a one on one. Abdul Al Sed, who I don't think is running as a Democratic socialist, but certainly he's been endorsed by Bernie Sanders. He advocates for many of the positions that the DSA advocates for. And then Haley Steven who is a member of Congress who has all the establishment support. It's a very interesting Choice What do you make of that primary chuck. I kind of still think Sied is favored I mean, when you see you're talking about a Democratic primary, the enthusiasms with the left, the enthusias not with the establishment. We have seen this. You know, I look at the Phil Wiser. this is not about left versus right. This is outsider versus insider. Stven's first name is Congresswoman. I mean she's got all all the traits of somebody who loses a primer And by the way in that El Sayed is a much more charismatic natural candidate than her too. I think you' interviewed him. I've interviewed. Yeah He's a very talented communicator. Ver comfortable in his own skin. He's very comfortable me, you know, having someone like me like, look, you lose me when you use the word genocide. And he's like, well, let me explain why I use it. And I'm not asking you that I'm not telling you you have to use it in order to support me and all this stuff. I mean, very He's good He was a C after he ran after he ran against Gretchel Whitmer and by the way, did far better than many people thought in that twenty eighteen primary. He became a CN contributor. I would run into him in green rooms and stuff. He's a very affable able guy. Like he's like I remember when he got in this race, I said to people, do not assume that it's between McCarl and was Ron Pooyier a year ago said I'm telling you that I' might end up the nominee. Yes works at Harer. Yeah. He learned and and Ron had gotten to know him when he ran for goovernor in eighteen And sort of, you know, was just impressed, right? You just sort of as a is a wire report. Yeah, like somebody and somebody who covers politics, you're like, o, this guy's good. whether you agree N not about his policies. He's just a good candidate. R. I look. So I, you know, I know what the numbers say that McMorrow supporters are two to one, more likely to pick Stehvens over over Abdu That's not what the primary season's telling me You know. So and I'll just tell you the history of Michigan You know, Um I remember one of my first sort of near adult political memories. and I was paying a close attention because I had a cousin working in political journalism at the time in nineteen eighty eight. I was following that obsessed with that primary season. Great primary., totally. And Jackson won the Michigan. I think they were technically Wn't aas a caucus I think it was more firehouse primary than C. Okay Yeah. I don't want to imply it was like Iowa. Was it like a p or second choice thing. I think it was more quote unquote firehouse primary. and Jesse won Jesse had had the combo platter of being both the liberal candidate and ye African American candidate. Yeah. And that was he got a majority. He got over fifty percent. He wiped out Dakas. Bernie Sanders Humel Hillary in the Michigan Pimmary I not mistaken. Let me double check that score U Right. passast his prologue those Jesse and Bernie look a are a lot more support wise closer to Abdul Saed. Yeah. All right, it wasn't a blowout Bernie won at forty nine point seven to forty eight point three. Okay. So Still won it was it was an upset because all the polling because people had her a headad. hadad her a headad by d. I remember that piece for sure. So that's why I had it in my memory that burning big, but it turned out what he did is it was bad polling, which Michigan has a lot of tradition on that. But that win that upset sustained him for an extended period of time because then it was like Well, I think if she had if memory serves, if she had won Michigan think there would have been at the where it fell in the preremerac season, there would have been a bunch of pressure for him to get out. not that he would have come to necessarily Oh yeah, no that did not happen and that gave him life well beyond correct. Correct. Look Yeah. Michigan has provided near upsets before, even on the Republican side, you know, with Rick Sant Torum and when Romney the scare of his life and his is the state of his birth, I think Yeah Atast the state where his dad was governor. we know that. Yeah. So swing boots, the black vot Tar and simple Progressives and socialists have had a hard time winning over black voters. Y. There's a consistent pattern. Yes, young voters of color. are voting more progressive, but when you isolate African Americans, it's not and been nearly than if you group sort of Southeast Asians and other and mixed race and all of this stuff. So I think that It is Here's what we've learned in more sort of historically large African American voting precincts. Y, We've seen these progressive candidates not do well. Noope. They've not done well whether it's in Atlanta whether it's a Detroit whether it's in Chicago and even, you know, we've had they they've gone back and forth with progressive mayors, right? And we could see a Yeah You know, we're going to find out where the black vote goes in LA It's one of the reasons why so many people assume Karen Bass is going to survive her socialist because voters in general have not been as open to the DSA or to progressivism. And so, u, That's the That's it. That's the game, right? And and Well, it's your Jesie point. That's why Jesse was so powerful in Michigan because he has the liberal candidate and the black candidate. That's right. It's and they we don't have that in there. It's what made Obama Obama had the vote, which is not as left, you know, is more of a Totally. As we now learn, the black vote is slightly to the right of the average Democrat Certainly social today on the ideological scale. Yeah. And Obama had both progressives and African Americans, which made his you know, and that is why That is why I'm a little bit of an AOC skeptic, right That is why I am probably a bit higher on Westmore than others are Um, you know, so it is it is this is If you can combine those two things, it's very powerful in a deemocratic win in the to win as a Democrat in Michigan, you got it goes through the tradeing and suburbs A And I will say that, look, we I think we know Look, the Republicans are going to target Michigan no matter what Mhm. They will spend a hell of a lot more money if Abdu Alsa So that's what I was going to ask you is you know, we spend a lot of time talking about all the Republican seat in Texas, Iowa, North Carolina, right, Maine Um We don't spend as much time talking about the Democratic seat. Some of that is because Osso in Georgia is running kind of been put away and R New Hampshire is New Hampshire feels like a different cycle. mayaybe it's competitive, but not this cycle It feel like the right cycle for it. But Michigan, not one, two former Republican senators in that Hey guys, it's Dasha here. The World Cup brings cities to life. streets buzzing, crowds gathering, every goal sparking celebration. Moments like this are impossible to miss, but some moments are so quiet. They slip right past us. Human trafficking affects real people across the US, and it often looks different from what we think. Some survivors cannot simply walk away or ask for help So learn the signs. Break the silence. 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Must be twenty one plus and physically present in New Jersey. minimum wagering within five days required to unlock bonuses. Full terms and wagering requirements at horseshoe onnlinecasino dot com slash promos. If you or someone you know is a gambling problem, call one eight hundred gambler Right in The United States of America. Here in New Jersey, every school day begins with the pledge of Allegiance And every school day, they learn a little more about our shared history so they can help build a brighter future for us all That's how we will live up to the promise made over two hundred and fifty years ago We've never justice for all . is one that I think Democrats might overlook at their peril What do you make of a Mike Rogers Abdul El Sayed general? Now to your outsider insider point, El Sayed would definitely be the outsider right? Rogers is a former member of Congress. he served in the Trump administration, right? Like it's not lost on me that the last time a Republican has won a Senate seat in Michigan, I want to say Was it Spence? Abraham nineteen ninety four Yeah. that's what I was going to get. I think so because then Stabanel beats him in two thousand. Right And right And then and then ninet four one tocess for Yeah because Carl Levin had the other seat One of the best Republican years ever And you know and Spence, I think narrowly. I mean, he won by I'll look, but he didn't win by lot. So Look, I think that I was never look Michigan was a state that I was not as high on as a battleground state until Trump carried it in ' sixteen. Like Michigan always felt of the blue wall states, the way Ohio was starting to flirt the right It felt like Michigan was starting to become more light blue than totally purple. Yes. And then of course we saw, you know, look, the blue collar trades, right? And this is what's made Michigan and Wisconsin. what has kept them These were basasically light blue states during the Obama era Obama was still getting a union. the blue collar trades were still supporting Democrats over Republicans That's been the big shift, which is what's made both of those states more Um They move back towards the competitive at the presidential problem for Mike Rogers. He's been a conventional Republican. one hundred not very pro union right know more pro union than the average Republican in Congress backacks, but not super, not not super so. So You know, I I think Amdua Al Sayed can win in this political environment. Me too But you're right, it will be more money harder. It is just harder and it's more expensive And This a Ken Paxton. Ken maybe, you know, it's interesting here. I mean Graham Platner and Abdul Al Sayed, if they're both nominees Um There is Right? Of course, one will win and onez lose so we won't have a clean No trend to have it. Right We want to have the clean there. But if both men are both lose. bothoth are those are both have seismic impacts, right? Both scenarios. The scenario that totally in paralysis is that one one wins and one. Yeah because it's you can draw your own conclusion. if theyose generals or they both win generals. Yes It's going to have a dramatic impact on donors. Okaykay. Yeah That's donors to twenty twenty eight and ye the donors have it right And it's going to, you know You will see if they both win, you will see a lot of mainstream Democrats and donors suddenly deciding to go potentially flur down the Yeah you go find the most pro business progressive, they can find to support, you know, used to be The same group of donors was always looking for the most electable conservative There was always the the code word, right? Who is was the most electable That's P produced George W. Bush, rightight? I mean, that was the that was the process that produced George W. Bush. And so whether that is a a whether that's where primary voters are going to want to have a debate, I don't. Right? Is that West More or is that AOC? I think that's a very Well, but Westmore is not Westmore is not a Westmore is not a liberal, right. Westmore is to the right of Barack Obama And when you is he okay, quick sidebar Is West is West more more conser just on issues. Is West more more conservative than Gavin Newsom one hundred percent Is Wes more more conservative than Josh Shapiro That's a good question. It's close. That's fine. I think Shapiro and Moo And Bashir I was going to say like That was the other one I was going to ask. I think see more them ninet I think if if Westmore were white, you would say there was very little distinction between Andy Bashir and Josh Sapiro and Westmore. Right. And I think if you talk to Progressives in Maryland, they'll say, yeah West More is no prorogressive, you know, sort of thing U mean, I will remind people he he vetoed the he vetoed the reparations act that had passed passed the Maryland State House and Senate. It's like it's say What he really is is a constitutionalist. okay which is what why I think that the possible that the line, the dividing line between U the progressive left and the sort of mainstream liberal, whatever you want to call it excuse me. Yeah will be Do these institutions need to exist or do we need a problea? Yep, Do we need to tear everything down or is there some de be is not a bl 'em up person Gavin Newsom is going to probably morph into whatever he thinks can work. Correct He'll be whatever he needs sort of. If He thinks it's a blloed. No it's just a reality. I just think that that's his comfort zone Um Are Westmore's politics different than Hillary Clinton's politics in any meaningful way? See, I don't think they are I don't either which is fascinating because the in which they are positioned is not the same. Yeah. Now he's he's he's pretty grounded in his faith. He reminds me of her politics. I'm not saying Ber approach, you know She was always what I'd call smally conservative. Correct.'t mean That's so she was raised. Correct.. I mean, so is what in Westmore in his own way ' military military school military. So there's a discipline about him. Y that he believes it And he believes in discipline. He believes in these institutions. So that's why I don't think he'll ever be a comfortable progressive rabelwouser. That's not who he is. Moore is the guy and Josh Shapiro and Andy Bashir. These are guys that are not rabble rousers. They're here to clean up messes Yeah. it's the whole getshit done thing, right? That's the So. and I think we're going to watch Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker Both Proably drift more into the let's blow it up We need to rebuild these things and Pritzker's the guy that I the guy that I think is bit overlooked. I think he's going to be look, like I said, he he is taking control of his own state party, which that's a big deal. It's not The Juliana Straton thing I thought was a You know, and and not insignificant feather in his capat You know, he's got his own wealth so he can go his own direction.. he's Got it probablyb going to be the most progressive. Gavin vetoed bills that JB. Pritzker would have sign. That's right. You mean not record. He'll probably have the most progressive record Ger's record will be to the left of Newson. Yes because I think it is to the left of Newson And I think he will push himself as the progressive with a record There's, you know, the AFC talks a big game. Bernie talks a big game. Look what I but I've done on Yeah and I I've also not a part of the establishment. And in fact, You know the most interesting thing about him that I wonder He was the Illinois Democrat who was for Clinton in twenty eight Did you know that? No That's fascinating. I mean, I would assume. Excuse me, because of his family, they have been donors to Bill and they but still So that's fascinating. Obama. Now that tells me because I, you know, The his toughest critics on the Democratic side are all the ex Chicago Obama Y Ax, you know, axol the the crooked the crooked guys who are allama Pinkle on in a while And so there's no doubt that interesting being different. So I think I wonder if that's an asset to him or I know I don't know. We're going to find out. And then, you know, and then you've got Pete who I thinks I think the baggage, the Biden baggage is heavier than he thinks it is. I totally agree. Yeah, we'll find out. You mentioned Platinner. So I'm like looking around the internet today And I will say this As of when we are taping this, which is early afternoon Monday All of the things that I have seen are kind of like from these accounts where I'm like Hm. this person is definitely not a reporter. This person may not be in a position, no, but they're like Another big potential Grand Platinner story is dropping in Maine. He's canceled his events for today Monday We do not have enough information to talk about that, at least verified information to talk about that right now, but I will I will ask you this, Chuck. basasically looks like a tos up right now When you look at the polling, Collins has gained, you know, Cs it's now basically forty nine, forty seven one way or the other is my Are we gonna Look back. What are the chances we're going to look back? certainly Democrats will look back and say Holy shit, we we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory here with Platinner I'll remind people one more week Yeah that Bladner can drop out of the race and be replaced by the State Party commommittee. july thirteenth is the deadline. What do you make of him Sorry, I was just reading our update on Donald Trump's ability to manipulate FIFA and it looks like we can talk about that. Yes. He took credit for it today. Yeah. no, and And They basically upheld the ruuling Y after Belgium officially. Surprisingly enough, they went with Donald Trump in the US over Belgium. Who could have thought that that would happen? Yeah, exactly Um Look, I It's interesting. There's the the woman who I guess is There's a lot more people supposedly talking someomebody who had endorsed them and then pulled her endorsement and she's now decided to be actively pretty tough on him and you're right. It's literally a week We're as you said, july sixth, it's july thirteenth, I think is the deadline. Yes. and it's pretty. He would have to remove his name by the way for people in He can't get kicked off here but he can remove his name. If it's just about a setate seat, tootal no brainer. Because ye, you got toa get rid of her, right Genic Democrat, I promise you probably leads her by to Okay, maybe even more There's no doubt in my mind. Y So gener literally just you just get John Baldacci, right, whatever. I mean, you get this post it note and run them with Democrat a year like this. Yeah. I wouldn't do Janet Bills. Noot you know, but are you get whoever finished or you get you get whoever finished like uh second third or fourth in the governor's race or whatever. you know, I mean, there are plenty of deemocrats look like The person who's got the best shot at losing the Senate seat is going fl Okay and and the Democrat. Yes. R. Y. So if you're just looking at it as a pure take a motion out of it. now. You know, there is a lot There is, you know, the Youve you've got to if you're going to Well, put it this way. if he voluntarily agrees to get out, then the information has got to be just Oh hell yeah. it must be really bad because look at what he's been willing to right. Not just not him, his wife, right putut his wife through, right? Like Um Yeah. I mean, you know, look And that's the thing You know, it's funny. Platinner wins, it'll be like, yeah, that's how badly Maine wanted to get rid of Susan Collins. And if Platinner loses, it'll be like Yeah, the Democrats got the wrong candidate. You know, it won't be given credit that Susan Collin. Susan Collins is a good candidate. Yeah I would I just I did a thing with Alex Sitzwald, who's now up there. edits the editor of the Mid Coast Villager used to be work at NBC. you obviously know, but for people who don't, used to work at NBC. And he made that exact point. He's like, look, like This idea that everyone in Maine hates Susan Collins and that Susan Collins is this old lady. He's like, it's just not born out. likeike if you live up here, like it's just he's not making the argument. It's not going to be a close race. But he's like people give Susan Collins has basically been underrated in every single election she's running. Everyone is predicted she's going to lose And what has she done? Win over and over and over again. If you win every election since nineteen ninety six for the Senate, you're doing something there's something inherently about you that people like Her biggest problem is Donald Trump. . Yep. and You know, she's got a pretty anti Trump for a Republican. I mean, how many other Republicans running for reelection have voted to convict them twice She voted twice to convict. She certainly was in the second one for sure. I don't know about the Ukraine one, but certainly in the you know I don't remember the vote on that. She was definitely one of the seven who voted to convict him after january six. No question about that And I believe she voted against. I know she've obviously everyone knows she voted for Brett Kavanagh, but I believe weirdly she voted against Damy Cody Barret.. she I think she stood on ceremony She made a pledge that she wasn't going to confirm anybody that was nominated within Oh, it was a time window thing. Okay I think so. No, she acquitted him on the first of. Okay But she was one of the seven who voted Yeahah, you're right. In a year where Trump is not so unpopular. And the wind is blowing so strongly in Republicans' face, she probably wins again. But youre I love that line. The person who has the best chance at losing the Senate ses is Graham Platin, That's exactly right. I mean that's the It How could you debate that at this point? By the way, I want to give a little up consumer to Oh to reading some of the polls that are out. M And why is there you may ask yourself, why does Fox News show polling in one place and The New York Times show it. Yep. R. The Times poll shows Republicans doing better than much better for Republicans in the Senate and l is. But people need to understand what the Times is doing, The Times is not. doing the snapshot in time polling that we're all used to. They're forecasting That doesn't mean they're not serving in the moment, but they're forecasting towards what they believe the electorate's going to look like in November So this is why you've seen the first poll in two months to show John Houstad ahead. I was going I was going to say the Republican ahead in No. Yeah versus what Fox is doing because they're not spending the Times is spending. enormous amounts of money huge sums of money trying to get this right. I mean, Tax Rice is not look, Sienna is a wonderful partner and vehicle for them, but this really is the work of Nate Coh and how much money they're investing in this. And no news organization has ever put this kind of money. No, I applaud them for it. try. I do too. Y. but people are you want to talk about taking polls and literally comparing apples to oranges. Yeah. compomparing the Times poll to other polls is apples and oranges. It is why Here's my you know, consistent warning why averaging polls is usually more of a mistake than it is a help because literally you've got The times, which is forecasting Okay And you've got Fox, which is snapshot in time polling. And both are both polls can be correct and show. I gonna say both both meet a scientific level of credibility. It's not garbage. They're just different Both can be accurate, but the Times is trying to limit the sort of because right now, Democrats are more enthusiastic. Yeah. So if you do you know, if you don't match the voter file perfectly, you're going to get a dem Democratic It's going to be ahe. This is why, you know All the PP polls and the change research polls all show good news for the Democrats when they put those numbers out because they're doing snapshot and time polling which right now, Democrats are the ones paying more attention. Democrats are the ones more enthusiastic. So there's about a two to four point almost debias that you see pop up in some of these polling And Now I think the times might be over correcting on how good the Republican turnouts going to be. cororrect. But there, but that's the point is that you're The point is these times polls really do tell you just how close these elections are going. That's exactly That was my takeaway. these Senate seats. It's going to be in Iowa, Ohio and Alaska. They're not going to win by ten Right But'll be about points. I remind people outside of North Carolina, which Trump won by three. I don't I'm trying to think if there's any other Senate seat we're talking about where Trump won by single digits in twenty twenty four, right? He wonexas by double digits, Alaska by doubleigits, Iowa by double digits. Ohio I think he might have w I will say Michigan development The fact that Michigan could could could really be now fully in play for the Republicans put a Democrats need to go find another seat into the into the into the top ten for them, right? They've got I I think Kansas is the one that jumps out to me. So one people mention to me the most because of Adam Hamilton. Yeah and And Roger Marshall is not great You've got I Kansas is intriguing to me. Um, Mississippi still one that I don't want to ignore And I have to tell you, I know once bititten twice shy, but The Jamie Andrew Jamie Jamie Harrison Yeah Yeah. Annie Andrew. I she's like a real candidate who raised real money U has a profile. The two the two women doctors. Amy Acton and Annie Andrews running in red states in places the Democrats have been underperforming Um I don't know, man. They're both. it's interesting to me. They're intriguing to me But you don't put your home state of Florida on there, Chuck. That's like a lot Vinman's gonna have I donbt. So you in South Carolina, Mississippi I Kansas are more likely. I had this conversation with John giant deemocratic donor for people who don't not a Democratic donor anymore. He will For some Demrat. I thought he was he started a third party called the commommon Grounders and'sci you what I know. Okay U Now yes, he definitely is more left leaning than right leaning. Um by You know, he said something about Vinman that struck me. He says, lookook, he says, in theory, Vinman's a competitive candidate. He goes But what do you know about his relationship to the state of Florida? And I said doesn't have any, I presume It's a parachute. And You know, I know we're used to our snowbirds in Florida and parachuting in I have no like Vinman feels like an alien that just came R and like I'm going run here And I just do I expect? lookook, I expect the governor's race to be awfully close. I think Jolly you do. I do. I think Jolly's running a very good Old school Brace. U with sort of an old school team behind him. Um, I think Byron Donald's is about as overrated as they come. That doesn't mean's got a lot of money. That's it. That's exactly right. But right kind of. He's never taken a punch before in a competitive race. No because the districts he's running are are not competitive general elections. right? It's why It's why I was so skeptical about Tim Scott when he ran for president. that guy can't take a punch. Never never been in a competitive race in a real race. By the way, you know who else has never been in a competitive race except for her twenty ten attorney genereneral race Kamala Harris Harris. it's the same problem. right? M And so I think you So I think there's a there's I expect the governor's race to be closer than the Senate race. That's interesting about Florida. The thing, the Vidman case is easy in that, okay, he'll have a ton of money. Ashley Moody's an appointed senator. Maybe DeSantis is turning of Florida red is the pendulum will start swinging back. You just don't buy it. Do I buy that the pendulum is gonna to swing back? I do I mean, in this particular r. I think the governor's races is more acute Nobodys The Senate race is just people are oblivious and they're going to just vote what they Oh, we vote, how do we vote, honey The governor's race is going to be between two people Right. Senate race is going to be between two parties and that ye and that Rlic win a race between two parties in Florida. they can win a race between two people And that's what I would that's kind That's interesting split. That's interesting that split that Come. It's like in a reverse, it's probably will explain why Ken Paxton h Hey guys, it's Dasha here. The World Cup brings cities to life. Streets buzzing, crowds gathering, every goal sparking celebration. Moments like this are impossible to miss, but some moments are so quiet They slip right past us. Human trafficking affects real people across the US, and it often looks different from what we think. Some survivors cannot simply walk away or ask for help. so learn the signs. Break the silence. 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Must be twenty one plus and physically present in New Jersey. mininimum wagering within five days required to unlock bonuses. Full terms and wagering requirements at horseshoe onnlinecasino dot com slash promos If you are someone you know is a gambling problem, call one eight hundred gambler Right in the United States of America Here in New Jersey, every school day begins with the pledge of allegiance. And every school day, they learn a little more about our shared history so they can help build a brighter future for us all That's how we will live up to the promise made over two hundred and fifty years ago We' never be justice for all M don't really, But do you have a big thought on theullull fullin Balligan Rd card resindment? We are now six hours from the U.S. playing Belgium, Trump. cllaiming like, I don't know what to do. It should be the perfect story for me. It's soccer and politics. It's like right in my wheelhouse and yet, I'm like, I don't really know what to think. Look, all I will say is I think the lesson is. And I try to And I'm going to have even more to say about this because I think There are there's there's some supporters of Trump who know he's a crook and who rationalize their support for him by saying, yeah, I know he's crook But I want a crook representing me to deal with the other crooks in politics. I think the whole total hory is crooked. So I'd rather have somebody who plays by plays dirty representing It's the vote for the crook. It's important. Edward and Edwards against David Duke and So you're look, we're seeing what is What is the upside of having a corrupt president He's willing to corrupt any organization. Correct. That's necessary to get his way And he was willing. No American president would have done what Trump did. They would have thought it was inappropriate for an American president to intervene on a because it is inappropriate for an American. I mean, let's be honest. I know it worked out in our favor, but that doesn't change the fact And and so The irony I'm going to stereotype soccer fan, American soccer fans, but I think most American soccer fans lean lagh I think that's right. I'm pretty there's some data that put The European mentality And the irony and football leag right lefting fans that are just sort of going to close their eyes and not totally accept this corruption because it benefits them. So this is the warning Just because corruption initially benefits you doesn't mean down the road that corruption isn't going to punish you This is a case we've been making for Republicans forever, Chuck. it works for you now. Yeah, a bunch of executive orders and the radical expansion of the executive branch. That's great when the Republicans are in. I mean, so if If America wins this match Um, there and and Falagan scores You know, Belgium's never going to accept the premise, right? No's Ring two one, one one Um You know, I'm ex, you know, I worry about just we're testing karma you know, somehow he, you know, somehow he trips over a sprinkler head and he ends up not being able to play because he's a younger or and you're like, yeah, Karmaas, you know, I may up I may not believe in in I may not have the I may have my own debates about religious facts. I don't believe there are many. They are stories and that is what they are and there there's some good moral lessons to learn from these stories. Don't get me wrong U But you're a karma believer point is that like I'm not quite a karma believer, but it does All I will say is It's inevitable that in politics and life what goes around comes around. Yes. And it's inevitable in politics and life that when you When you go down a corrupt road, so will your opponents Of course, And you will eventually just because you win in a corrupt fashion doesnn't mean you figured out how to win And it does mean you've probably incentivized somebody else to be more corrupt than you And this is, you know this is unfortunate. So I just it's It rem. I mean it's like FIFA and Trump. being corrupt together? who could have would have that could happen? Wait, FIFA is for sale It reminds me that awesome meme of when the worst person you know makes a really good point. That's how I feel like the soccer community in America is responding to Trump. It's like they don't like Trump and yet they want Balliggan to play. So it's like And they thought the red card was bad. And by the way,'s bthright citizen Yes, tootally true. Totally true. I mean, I guess that's the that's the That's what the the liberal soccer fans are hanging their hat on Well, look, we made ' them support a birthright citizen. Oh God, and sometimes I really wish we could separate politics and sports back out. Quick Knacks talk. We have sure. went byy the way, I went I went I did some hot takes on LeBron Oh, you did. I'm where he should go. U or just on how he's handling his Well, first of all, the decision part ten. I think Rich Paul, man, that whiteboard was genius I'm telling you, man Rich is an incredible content creator No. and in fact, Simmons got me paranoid. of the Simmondons' advice would be to pull a Roger Cleens and just show up in January. Don't sign up January And you want to presumably you want him to go back to the heat. I assume I because you that's going to happen. Well, I'm disappointed that the wizards on on the list. We're not in the mix. I know. Look at what, you know, we I know AD I know him and AD are super tight. The four I could put up four with the wizards that compete with any of the four of the five Totally agree the little circle But my favorite part of the Witchball whiteboard was The subtle attack on Harden without saying anything about Harden Because on the right hand corner is this boy, no Darius Garland. you know, bad and you're like, No, this is not about harden. He just really loves to play with Darius Garland. Sure, sure. LeBr someone who's twenty years younger than I can' been. If I could just find a way to play with Darius Scarland, then I'd have been at the catch This is like the last hard team. The last person he's going to play his final year in basketball with is James Harden. It would be weird for him to play with right like, I don't know there''il in water. Right Yeah. It's just not going to happen. That's why I've always sa the Warriors because I think the way the Wriors play fits how LeBron plays. The question passing unselflishness he like You know, LeBron has one problem at the NBA afterlife table if you want to believe that that exists. Okay? You know what, table he can't get seated at. He's not going to get seated at the table with people with five rings Hm So is he ring chasing one more Michael Jordanable Kareem's at that table. Michael Jordan' at that table. Bill Russell. Bill Russell's at Y table Leobron only has four of only four, right? Lerat I mean, we're talking about all time grades. They have a nice table. They're just not at the head table They're at the there' at the the Yeah stable So if he's ring so that's been the question I have. Is this about a ring Is this about enjoying his last season Is this about, you know, and then the part that I was shocked that Rich Paul didn't bring up that I assume is somewhat of a priority is is Um imity to Bryce James and that's right University of Arizona. And there So this is why I'm a I'm If I were to put money down, I kind of Yes, I'd love to see him back with the heat. And I actually think the heat is the only team That is currently not a title contender where LeBron James. Yes, he would make a huge difference. right? There's only huge difference on the board where James' presence transforms that team to wararriors too, right You think even with him, they don't they're not good enough though. Yeah. And Miami is honest now Yeah only two And then Denver, you have to go through Oklahoma City and and San Antonio. Never mind the Minnesota paint in the ass. Um I think the path in the east is easer. The East is still easieright Absolutely, especially with Celtics breaking up and I do not believe that he wants to play with Jayalen Brown. I don't buy that I don't Jayalen Brownkes the ball. There's too many people that want the ball. So I look at it is Do LeBron is one of these guys that can play all five positions Now the question is, does LeBron want to play in the front court or the back court? And I think you and I both know where LeBron would prefer to play. Where doesire I assume a guard Yes, Right? He doesn't want to get so hanged around by a bunch of young athletic guys. to me Their only two choices are Denver and Miami because in both places he gets to play.