1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: So the midterm elections obviously didn't go as well as 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 1: we had hoped. We will win the House, unfortunately, will 3 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: not win the Senate, and some future stars fell a 4 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: little short, like Carry Lake we've had on this podcast 5 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: and who we really like. She's very talented. That's for 6 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:17,759 Speaker 1: a few different reasons I got into the other week. 7 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:21,479 Speaker 1: I think largely we didn't win independence, which you have 8 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:24,319 Speaker 1: to win to win a midterm election. They are able 9 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 1: to drive out their base with the issue of abortion, 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: and then third mail and ballots and early voting Republicans, 11 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 1: we've now had her, you know, teeth knocked into elections 12 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: in a row on the issue of mail and ballots. 13 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 1: I mean, Democrats aren't searching for votes, they're searching for ballots. 14 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: They're doing a lot of this in certain states that 15 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: allow for it, with things like ballot harvesting. And it's 16 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: frustrating as Republicans to see that happen, to know that 17 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: they unfairly changed the rules of the game during COVID 18 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: using a virus that's as deadly as the flu to 19 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: append the political process. It's incredibly frustrating ng But you know, 20 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 1: complaining about it doesn't help. It doesn't win elections. So 21 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 1: we've learned some hard things through the midterm elections, and 22 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: the best thing for us to do as a party 23 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 1: moving forward is to adapt and make changes. You know, 24 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 1: we don't want to be the toys r us of politics. 25 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: We've got to innovate. We've got to focus on things 26 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: like mail and ballot it's in early voting, but it's 27 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: not all bad. I mean, ultimately, Republicans we are now 28 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: better off than we were before the midterm elections. With 29 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: controlling the House. Democrats have an incredibly difficult Senate map. 30 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: They're defending twice as many seats as we are in 31 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: states that are also very competitive for Republicans. So we 32 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: have another bite at the apple with the Senate race 33 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: as well, and then we'll have the presidential election as well. 34 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: But one thing we also discovered through the midterm elections 35 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: is Republicans have a lot of future stars. Governor to 36 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 1: Santa's crushed it in the state of Florida, beating Charlie 37 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 1: cris by twenty points, biggest margin in any Florida gouber 38 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: toil race in forty years. He won sixty two of 39 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: the state's sixty seven counties, winning majority Hispanic districts like 40 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: Miami Dade County for the first time in twenty years. 41 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 1: And we also discovered that there are other bright future 42 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 1: leaders of the Republican Party as well. We're going to 43 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 1: talk to one of them. Congressman Byron Donalds, who represents 44 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:26,519 Speaker 1: Florida's nineteenth congressional district, smoked his competition in the race 45 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: that he had, and I had a chance to see 46 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 1: him speak. He spoke at Governor to Santis's victory party 47 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 1: in Tampa before the governor took the stage, and he 48 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: was incredible. I mean, it's one thing to watch people 49 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: on TV. And I've always liked him, have always respected him. 50 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: I've always thought he was really smart, always talented, and 51 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: I really respect him after he said he wasn't going 52 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 1: to get the vaccine because the House and Nancy Pelosi 53 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: they're trying to put a tremendous amount of pressure on 54 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 1: people to get it. So I have tons of respect 55 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:55,239 Speaker 1: for him for saying, nope, you don't know me. I 56 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: do what I want on my own, man. But he 57 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 1: was phenomenal watching him on stage, and so I think 58 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: the bright spots from the midterm elections are our one. 59 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: We know what we need to work on moving forward. 60 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 1: But two, we do have a lot of bright future 61 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: leaders and Republican and conservative politics do work. They worked 62 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 1: in the state of Florida. We were able to show 63 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 1: Floridians what conservative leadership looks like and the voters responded. 64 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 1: So we're going to get into what lessons we need 65 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: to learn, do we need new leadership moving forward, and 66 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: what should the Republican Party focus on this next congress. 67 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 1: We're gonna get into all of this with Congressman Byron Donalds. 68 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: I loved meeting him. He's a really awesome guy and 69 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: we are so lucky to have him as one of 70 00:03:45,720 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: our future leaders in the Republican Party. Congressman Byron donald So, 71 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: I met you for the first time at the victory 72 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: night for Governor to Santis last week. It was awesome 73 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 1: meeting you. I really enjoyed it. Well, listen, it was 74 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: great to meet you. Like I've heard the name, I've 75 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 1: seen your having to listen to your work and I 76 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: was like, oh wait, this is her. So it was 77 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: actually awesome. So it's pleasure meeting you that night, and 78 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: it was a great night for Florida. Well, and it was, 79 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 1: and you spoke before Governor to Santis did. And I 80 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: gotta tell you, you did sech a good job. I 81 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: wanted to put the warp pay now on, like beat 82 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 1: my chest, go out and do push ups, run laughs, 83 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 1: like you got us all really fired up, and you 84 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: gave such a good speech, So you know, congrats on 85 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 1: killing it. Well, look, it was really from the heart, 86 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 1: you know, somebody who came in in the Tea Party 87 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: movement and was watching the country, you know, back when 88 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: Obama was president and really concerned about the direction. You know, 89 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: I got passionate about politics. And it wasn't because I 90 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: came up as a young kid in politics. It was 91 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: never a thing I wanted to do in high school 92 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 1: and college. I was an adult, I was a citizen. 93 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: I'm looking around the country and not seeing things that 94 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 1: look good to me, and I found conservatism. And so 95 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 1: I think when people heard on the stage from me, 96 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: you know, Tuesday night, was just from the heart. This 97 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 1: is what I think, this is what I feel. But 98 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: it's also how proud I am of Florida, proving and 99 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 1: showing what I've already known, is that Florida is a 100 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 1: is a conservative state. We are a free state, and 101 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: the voters said that loud and clear. Well, and it 102 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 1: was such a weird night because you know, at the 103 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: victory party, I mean, it was a historic night for 104 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:39,359 Speaker 1: for Republicans in the state. You crushed it in your race. 105 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 1: Uh you know, does Santa's beat Charlie cris by twenty points? 106 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: You know, the biggest margin in any Florida gubernator race 107 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 1: in forty years, not just for Republican but for for anyone. 108 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 1: So we had this huge night and then it's like 109 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 1: you leave the party and then it just you know, 110 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 1: reality hits with what was going on in the rest 111 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: of the country. So what do you think happened? You know, 112 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: what do you think was the breakdown where Republicans fell 113 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: short of what we thought was going to happen. Well, 114 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 1: a couple of things. I think First, in these other states, 115 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: the citizens haven't had the experience of what conservative leadership 116 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 1: really means and how it impacts your life. People gotta understand, 117 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: Florida has been building towards this for thirty years. Um. 118 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: I was actually with some of my colleagues in the 119 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 1: Florida delegation, people like Dan Webster and Mario Diez Blart, 120 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 1: who were in the Florida legislature when the Democrats had 121 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 1: control of the Florida legislature. So this has been building 122 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: for quite some time. The other states keep going back 123 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,919 Speaker 1: and forth. Um they never you know, they never go 124 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 1: strong into the conservative lane from a policy standpoint. And 125 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: so in Florida, voters saw the realities and the difference 126 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 1: is very clear because of COVID nineteen, and I think 127 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:53,359 Speaker 1: they responded to that. Number two and I think on 128 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: the national level, number two is we didn't answer the 129 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 1: bell when it comes to the Dobbs decision. I think 130 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: that the decision by you know, people in the Republican 131 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 1: leadership and Republican Party above, you know, they just decided 132 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: that it's not a big issue, we don't have to 133 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: focus on it, and we kept focus on on on 134 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: inflation and economy and crime and the border. And I'm 135 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: not saying those aren't key issues. They definitely are key issues. 136 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: But what we didn't take seriously enough, in my view, 137 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: is how you know how volatile uh issue like abortion is. 138 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: I think we should have been and we should have 139 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: created a position as a party. We should have stood 140 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: by that position as a party, and it would have 141 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: deflated the lies frankly, that came from the left. You know, 142 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: if you look at some of the campaign ads. I 143 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: was in different states campaigning, and if you look at 144 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: the campaign ads, every ad from a Democrat was about abortion, 145 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: every ad, and we had no counter message to that, 146 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 1: and I think that did hurt us in these other states. 147 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: You know, that's a really good point, and I'm guilty 148 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: of that as well, because I didn't think abortion would 149 00:07:56,680 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: supersede some of these bigger issues, or at least in 150 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: my mind, like crime. But what they did do was 151 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 1: use it to turn their people out. And of course, 152 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: we know, to win a midterm election, you've got to 153 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: get your base more fired up than theirs, and you've 154 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: got to win independence. So I think you really nailed 155 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 1: it with what you just said on that issue. And 156 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: you know, and I was guilty of that in Italy. Um. 157 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: You know, what do you think what should our priorities 158 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: be as a party moving forward? I think we're going 159 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 1: we're gonna have a majority in the House, so that's 160 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: great news. I think our priority has to be going 161 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: through all of the policies that we talk about and 162 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: passing it. And I mean, you're getting into the weeds 163 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,959 Speaker 1: on policy. We We don't need to let the Democrats 164 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: get their feet settled on what they think Republicans stand 165 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: on our doing. We don't need the press being able 166 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,679 Speaker 1: to lay out narratives about all the Republicans are going 167 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 1: to do this. It needs to be a very aggressive strategy, 168 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: and we need to go into every policy solution and 169 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: not shy away from it. I think if we do that, 170 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: the voters will see two things. One they're serious about governing, 171 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: and number two, they'll see the contrast that we need 172 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: with the Democrats. It goes back to Ronald Reagan. There 173 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: can't be pale pastels. There have to be bold colors, 174 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: and I think congress um in the House, that's what 175 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 1: we need to be focused on. Do you think that's 176 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 1: a great point? And and to your point, you know, 177 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 1: part of the reason why I think Florida and Republicans 178 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 1: did so well here is because you guys did lead 179 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 1: with a bold plan in the state of Florida and 180 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 1: really showed what leadership looks like. To your point, you know, 181 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: I also believe we learned some important things in the 182 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 1: process front front and we learned this in but most 183 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: particularly this past election with mail ballots and early voting 184 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 1: has really changed the dynamics and the political dynamics in 185 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: the country. I mean, we got to be more aggressive 186 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: on getting voters out early and getting voters to to 187 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: do mail and balloting as well. We've got to play 188 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:55,680 Speaker 1: the games in each state as they're written in order 189 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:59,000 Speaker 1: to change them. Listen, I always bring it down on this. 190 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: You know. I used to cochise sports, and you know, 191 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:03,439 Speaker 1: if I wasn't in Congress, that's what I would be 192 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 1: doing with my time and also in addition to my 193 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: financial services career and what I would always tell, you know, 194 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: my young kids who I would coaches. You can't complain 195 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: about the rules. You gotta go compete because if you 196 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:19,199 Speaker 1: spend your time complaining I don't like this referee, this 197 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: person you know always does this, then you're already defeated. 198 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 1: So we have to just understand this is the game, 199 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: and we gotta get in and do it now. In 200 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 1: some of these other states, they need to adopt Florida's 201 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 1: election law, or at a minimum, Georgia's election law, because 202 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 1: though the Georgia's election law actually worked quite well despite 203 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 1: the Democrats lying to voters and gas lighting voters about 204 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: it being Jim Crow two point oh. Turned out Georgia 205 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,320 Speaker 1: had successful elections just like Florida did. So we're the 206 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 1: model now for how you run elections. And it's done 207 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 1: with making sure people are requesting their ballot. Nobody else 208 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: is doing it for them. They can't request for like 209 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:59,199 Speaker 1: ten people, they can't return ten. You can return yours 210 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 1: and another family members. That's the law on Florida. You 211 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: have to repress repress your ballot every election. That's the 212 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: law on Florida. You have to have I d UM. 213 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: Your supervisors of Elections are allowed to tabulate ballots um 214 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: starting forty days before the election as they receive them. 215 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: So on election night, all we're doing is just reporting 216 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: the numbers that we already know, as opposed to you're 217 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: waiting on these batches of votes and all this other stuff, 218 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: which actually brings more pessimism to the effective the effectiveness 219 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 1: and the efficiency of our election process. I think that's 220 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: where we need to go once again. The Florida model works. 221 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: We need to embrace it and go down that line. 222 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: And if we do that work, then we can be 223 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: focused on the things that really truly matter, the policy issues, 224 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 1: and frankly, some of the cultural war issues in our politics, 225 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 1: as opposed to then getting into this weird debate with 226 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: Democrats about who really supports democracy. You know, I think 227 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 1: that's really a joke argument from the Democrats because a 228 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 1: lot of them actually have a problem with suppressing free speech. 229 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: We know that through social media, we know that through 230 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: national press that they actually suppressed stories that they feel 231 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 1: are not advantageous to them. So we need to step 232 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 1: into that, into that field, into that argument. But you've 233 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: got to look at the playing field and say these 234 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 1: are the rules. Then let's play, and you put your 235 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 1: helmet on and you work hard. Quick commercial break and 236 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 1: then back with Congressman Byron Donald's California is liberalism taken 237 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 1: to its you know, final conclusion, right like. So that 238 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: that is what Democrats want California policies. And I think 239 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: Florida to the opposite of that is conservatism to its 240 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: natural conclusion, right like. And we've really led the nation 241 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: in the state of Florida in some big ways on 242 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: election laws, which you're just talking about as well. You know, 243 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: But as we look at the party moving forward, is 244 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: it time for some leadership changes? Well? I think so. 245 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,079 Speaker 1: I mean, look, I'm running for a leadership posts in 246 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: the House of Representatives right now, Um, and so I 247 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: definitely think so. Look, we have had essentially the same 248 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 1: leadership for eight, nine, ten years, and so you know, 249 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: my attitude is is that you know, if you if 250 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 1: you're if you're winning Super Bowls every other year, and 251 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 1: then great, but if you're not, you got to really 252 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: evaluate that. And I think it requires not just the 253 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: electorate but also the members to have frank and honest conversations. Now, 254 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:29,320 Speaker 1: if through those those those conversations you come back to 255 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 1: saying no, this is the best foot forward, then that's fine. 256 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 1: But look, I'll take the United States Senate. In the Senate, 257 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 1: there is no vote for Mitch McConnell because nobody decides 258 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 1: to step up and run against Mitch. And that's not 259 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: a pro mid statement or anti Mitch statement. That's just 260 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 1: saying that that Senate Republicans they have to look at 261 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: this as well and say, you know what, maybe there's 262 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: a better way to do this and not be so 263 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: concerned about well so and so will punish me if 264 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 1: I oppose them, Because these lots of leadership aren't shouldn't 265 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 1: just be taken by acclamation. They should be given by 266 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:04,839 Speaker 1: the will of the members who get voted on the 267 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: serve up here, because we get our authority from the 268 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:09,720 Speaker 1: will of the voters who sent us from back home. 269 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: It's a great point, you know, Congress, I always liked 270 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 1: you when I saw you on TV. Obviously I thought 271 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 1: you're awesome when I met you in person. But when 272 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 1: I really started being like, I like this guy a 273 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 1: lot was when you didn't get vaccinated, just because there's 274 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: so much pressure, especially in Congress, to to force you 275 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: guys to submit right to to Nancy Pelosi's will, and 276 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: you refused and you stood strong. Why did you make 277 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:33,640 Speaker 1: that decision for yourself? Because, UMT three years old, and 278 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: I'm healthy, and the data was pretty clear that if 279 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: you're a healthy individual under the age of sixty five, um, 280 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 1: you'll recover from COVID nineteen just fine. And if you 281 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: were older, if you're older than five, then yeah, you 282 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 1: had a legitimate decision to make about getting vaccinated. That 283 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: was always been my position. UM, I wasn't gonna let 284 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: media or public pressure make me do that because that's 285 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: just not how we should be making decisions for our 286 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: own personal situations. And number three, and this is a 287 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: thing that really, you know, it really pissed me off 288 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: in the whole COVID debate. For for all of human biology, 289 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,200 Speaker 1: we've known that when you get a virus, you develop 290 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 1: antibodies because you actually contracted it and you got over 291 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: it and you pass it and then you have antibodies. 292 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: But they're a COVID nine team. The entire media establishment 293 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: just ignored the fact that antibodies exists. It was the 294 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 1: craziest thing to me because the people who were saying 295 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: you gotta follow the science have basically ignored the base 296 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: scientific fact that all of us had learned in high school. 297 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: So that's just that kind of stuff. This doesn't sit 298 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: well with me. You know, my I'm somewhat I can 299 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: be a contrarian at times. It's like my base nature. 300 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: And even my wife will tell you, if you push 301 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:45,120 Speaker 1: on him to do something, he's going to just like 302 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: get his back up just because you're pushing on him. 303 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 1: If you have the logic and the facts behind you, hey, 304 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: I can be supportive of that and actually champion it. 305 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: But if it's just gonna be this thing where we 306 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: all have to have to have to have to genuinely, 307 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: because that's where the whole group is going I don't 308 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 1: respond well to that. I was. I was smiling to 309 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: myself as you were saying that, because I'm like, I 310 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: feel like you're describing me like I I as soon 311 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 1: as someone tries to force me to do something, I'm like, whoa, Nope, Nope, 312 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: this is not this is not going to work with me. 313 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 1: I do hope that the House changes all the COVID 314 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: rules and gets rid of proxy voting, makes people show 315 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: up in person, and and changes, uh, you know some 316 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: of those things. You know. I know you're a busy man. 317 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 1: You've got a lot going on, sir. Is there anything 318 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 1: you'd like to leave us with before we go? The 319 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:31,840 Speaker 1: biggest thing is like, look, I know that it looks 320 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: like elections didn't turn out the way we wanted, but 321 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: people should not lose heart because I think, and this 322 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: is something that comment Up made to my members has 323 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: really shown us, is that the American people are sick 324 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: of the Democrats. But the other problem is they're not 325 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 1: quite sure that they love Republicans, and so I think 326 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 1: I think the silver lining is that there is an 327 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: opportunity for us to make our case and to demonstrate 328 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: with bold leadership why people should be choosing not just 329 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: a Republican Party, but conservatism more, more, more and more 330 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 1: appropriate overall. And I think we have a golden opportunity 331 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 1: to do that across so many demographic groups that were 332 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 1: not open to conservatism before, they're open to it today. 333 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,120 Speaker 1: And so it's our job just to leave with our 334 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: ideas and really understand all the issues that exist in 335 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 1: America and not be afraid of the solutions that'll be bringing. 336 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,919 Speaker 1: That's really well said. Um, totally agree with you, Congressman. 337 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,399 Speaker 1: I'm glad that you represent the state of Florida, my 338 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 1: home state now, and uh, you know, I hope you 339 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 1: have a bright future in the Republican Party and hopefully 340 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: leadership as well. So I appreciate you taking the time. 341 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:38,159 Speaker 1: Great to have met you last week and great to 342 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:39,919 Speaker 1: have a chance to talk to you for the for 343 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 1: the podcast. So thanks so much, No, awesome, thanks for 344 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 1: your time, Lisa, really appreciate it. And hey, I can't 345 00:17:45,040 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 1: wait to do it again. Yeah. So that was Congressman 346 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: Byron Donald's. I really like the guy. He's incredibly smart. 347 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 1: Uh you know, I love the fact he stood strong 348 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:15,159 Speaker 1: on vaccines and I gotta tell you watching him speak 349 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: before the Governor. He just he crushed it. He did 350 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: such a good job, so really cool having him on 351 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 1: the podcast, especially as a fellow Floridia and I appreciate 352 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:26,919 Speaker 1: you guys at home for listening every Monday and Thursday, 353 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,159 Speaker 1: but you can listen throughout the week. I always love 354 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 1: when you give me reviews on Apple Podcasts or you 355 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,200 Speaker 1: leave us a rating. Those are fun to see and read. 356 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:36,919 Speaker 1: I want to thank my producer, John Cassio for putting 357 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 1: this together and for you at home listening. Thank you 358 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 1: so much.