1 00:00:01,680 --> 00:00:06,200 Speaker 1: Now from our nation's capital. This is Bloomberg Sound On. 2 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 1: We are in a moment of massively high debt levels 3 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: and massively high inflation. Inflationary pressures weren't caused by economic policies. 4 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: A lot of them are caused by a pandemic. We 5 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: can't loop back to that. Bloomberg sound on politics, policy 6 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: and perspective from DC's tough name. There is so much 7 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: speculation right now about the Department of Justice, and it's 8 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: under a haze of questions. Burned on Congress to come 9 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: up with an immigration plan that's comprehensives. Bloomberg Sound On 10 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 1: with Joe Matthew on Bloomberg Radio. No new tanks for Ukraine. 11 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:46,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to the fastest hour in politics, as the US 12 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: sends another two and a half billion dollars in weapons 13 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: to Key. But after a meeting of fifteen nations that 14 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: Ramstein Air Force Base, no new tanks from Germany or 15 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: the US will discuss the hesitation and the next Russian 16 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 1: assault with former Secretary of Defense Mark Espert, will Rona 17 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 1: McDaniel be fired as chair of the Republican National Committee. 18 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: We have the latest on a tough contest from Bloomberg 19 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: Political reporter Mark Niquett, only a week to that election, 20 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: and the White House is reacting out of Florida's decision 21 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 1: to reject a p African American studies. We'll have all 22 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: these stories and analysis from our signature panel Bloomberg Politics 23 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:26,959 Speaker 1: contributors Rick Davis and Genie Schanzano for the hour. Another 24 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: pile of weapons on the way to Ukraine. Coming from 25 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: a meeting of defense ministers from fifty nations at Ramstein 26 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 1: Air Base in Germany. An important day here. Secretary of 27 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 1: Defense Lloyd Austin rolled out another two and a half 28 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 1: billion dollars in weapons and armor. That's from the U 29 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: S alone. Listen more Bradley's ninety Strikers, fifty three M 30 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 1: reps in three D and fifty up armored humvees. And 31 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 1: this new package will also provide thousands more rounds of artillery. 32 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: What you did not hear was banks the big gask 33 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,080 Speaker 1: from Ukraine, as we've been reporting, No tanks from Germany 34 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: or for that matter, of the US though Germany was 35 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 1: the big request, and that was of course the first 36 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: thing reporters asked about. Here again, Iss Lloyd Austin, you 37 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: heard the chairman walk through some of the substantial combat 38 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 1: power that we and some of our allies have offered 39 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: to provide. There are tanks in that in that those offerings. Poland, 40 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: for example, it continues to offer tanks and will provide 41 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,799 Speaker 1: tanks in other countries will offer some tank tank capability 42 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 1: as well. I don't have any announcements to make on 43 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: him ones. And you heard the uh the German Ministry 44 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 1: of Defense say that they've not made a decision on Leopards, 45 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: and that's the big one there. He's referring to new 46 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who was asked about Berlin's 47 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: hesitation to send German made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, dozens 48 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 1: of them that Ukraine says it desperately needs. Here, he 49 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: is not really hesitating. We are just very carefully in 50 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 1: balance and all the proves and contract. We are not 51 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: talking just about delivering anything to anybody. This is a 52 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: new kind of measure we would choose, and so we 53 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: have to be carefully, have to be careful. This back 54 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 1: and forth continues here while Russia is busy digging trenches 55 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 1: and laying minds ahead of what's expected to be a 56 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,239 Speaker 1: major assault in the spring. Germany, though, says remember it 57 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 1: will send those Leopard tanks if the US ends these 58 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 1: massive m one Abrams tanks, which are two very different things. 59 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: And this is where we start with Mark Esper and 60 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: delighted to say the former Secretary of Defenses with us 61 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: for this important conversation. Secretary, welcome back. UH. We are 62 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: sending a lot, and we should start by acknowledging these 63 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 1: armored fighting vehicles and some of the other things on 64 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: the list that we are sending to Ukraine right now. 65 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: How important will they be in in what we're apparently 66 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: gearing up for a spring assault by Russia. Well, first 67 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: of all, thanks Joe, it's great to be with you. UM, 68 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: I think the last part of what you just said 69 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: is important. You have to set us strategic context here 70 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: and from what I'm reading and picking up and the 71 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: fact that the director of the CI went and briefed 72 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: President's Lensky on what Russia's plans are according to media, 73 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 1: it tells me this that Russians are clearly preparing for 74 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 1: an offensive in the spring, and that means that by 75 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: that time they will have been able to UH organize, 76 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: train and equip the what three plus thousand conscripts that 77 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 1: they brought into the service a few months ago, and 78 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 1: then probably you know, given the means to do what 79 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: they need to do. So the channel. I think what 80 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: the Natos allies are doing now is really trying to 81 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: prepare the Ukrainians to withstand a Russian offensive, and I 82 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: would argue, I think better yet, prepare the Ukrainians to 83 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: conduct the counter offensive before that happens. The initiative, that's 84 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 1: the key thing, and worka particularly given the situation we're 85 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 1: facing right now. So you want to see them break 86 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 1: through those lines before Russia begins the offensive. Start moving 87 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 1: that armor in that direction now. Absolutely, the key thing 88 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 1: is is to organize your worse sees the initiative, conduct 89 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: the counter offensive an end. What you do is you 90 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,040 Speaker 1: just keep the Russians rolling backward and backward and backward 91 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 1: until you literally pushed them out of the country. And 92 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 1: this is where mechanized warfare takes the lead. Um, this 93 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: is what the Ukrainians need, which is why it's important 94 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 1: that we are providing strikers and Bradley's. The Brits are 95 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:22,159 Speaker 1: providing vehicles as well, but what we need our armor, 96 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 1: heavy armor, tanks because tanks lead the push they punched 97 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 1: through the lines. They have the mobility, the firepower, and 98 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 1: the protection to do so while safeguarding the force. And 99 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: that's the critical missing element right now. For the most part, 100 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 1: the Brits are provided promised to provide fourteen challenger tanks, 101 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 1: but what you need are you know, tanks and the 102 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 1: triple digits to make this real. I spoke today with 103 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: Uri Sack, Defense ministry advisor from Ukraine. He joined us 104 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,599 Speaker 1: from our studios in New York wearing his fatigues and 105 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:57,839 Speaker 1: it was uh an incredibly enlightening conversation. He was really 106 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: making the case for exactly what you're describing. Listen, give 107 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 1: us the tools and we will finish the job. This 108 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: is such a simple formula to understand. Look, thanks, one 109 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,799 Speaker 1: thing is to use those tanks in Ukraine now when 110 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: it is still possible. But if the Allies don't give 111 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 1: us those tanks, there could be a day when they 112 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: will have to use them themselves, because I will repeat, 113 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: Russia has no intention to stop in Ukraine. So, Mark Asper, 114 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 1: what is the timeline as we work this out with Germany, 115 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 1: whether it's Leopards and ones whatever end up there. How 116 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 1: much time do we have before it's too late, not much. 117 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: I mean, look, time is now. That's why I think 118 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 1: we are moving now. It takes free at least of 119 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 1: the United States. Of course, to ship them, we take weeks. 120 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 1: You have to get them to the units within Ukraine. 121 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 1: You have to train up the soldiers not just to 122 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: operate them, but to maintain them. So this process could 123 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: take several weeks, a couple of months. And then you 124 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 1: look at the timeline for the year, when does the 125 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 1: weather start improving for either the Russians to conduct an 126 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:56,679 Speaker 1: offensive where the Ukrainians to beat them to the punch. 127 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: And again, while it's important that we provided Bradley's and Striker, 128 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 1: you would never send those vehicles into a battle against 129 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: Russian armor. You have to lead with your own tanks. 130 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 1: And that's where the Germans become the critical component here. 131 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: I want to ask you specifically about the m one 132 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: Abrams tanks. I don't know if that's something you think 133 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: that we should be sending. But the argument is that 134 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: number one, you know they're very expensive to maintain. It 135 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 1: also involves a lot of training that would be necessary. 136 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: Uh and and there you know, look, this is something 137 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: that the US uses, it's not the same for everybody. 138 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: They have a jet engine essentially in them and as 139 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: I understand, burn three gallons to the mile. Is that 140 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: even practical for Ukraine? You know, I think the you know, 141 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: the German Leopards are the better choice here. I've been 142 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: critical with the administration for being behind the curve when 143 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: it comes to sending other weapons systems and air defense 144 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: systems and and and whatnot. But in this case they're right. 145 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,920 Speaker 1: The Leopards the better tank. The then one is far 146 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: harder to maintain, to keep fueled, et cetera and um. 147 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: And that's why I think it's important. So I think 148 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 1: the Administration is right on this one to get the 149 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: Germans to send their their tanks at this point. You know, 150 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,119 Speaker 1: their lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham would say, no, send 151 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: the m ones because that will at least force the 152 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: hand of Germany and get those leopards in there. Do 153 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: you think there's some strategy behind that? Oh? I completely 154 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: agree with the Center Graham. I'd send a dozen tanks 155 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: and you know, park them in the western part of 156 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: Ukraine and Levivre we're familiar with, and and if that, 157 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: if that clears the way for the Germans to do 158 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 1: what they need to do. Uh, then sure, go ahead 159 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 1: and do it. But what we need are you know, 160 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 1: dozens hundreds of German tanks leopards, not just from Germany, 161 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: but other countries have volunteered to offer up. There's it's 162 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 1: just that that those other countries need Berlin's approval to 163 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: ship them into Ukraine. That will unleash what the Ukrainians 164 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: need and allow them to either break through hopefully if 165 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 1: they have time, and if not, defend against the oncoming 166 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: Russian offensive. So you're hearing this from a former secretary 167 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: of Defense. You would send a dozen now just to 168 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 1: unlock this whole thing. It really would sort of take 169 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: the argument away from Germany in this case, and then 170 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: you know Poland would do the same. We'd start seeing 171 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: a little bit of a chef in reaction here. Uh. 172 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: I ask you about Russian forces as well, Mark Esper, 173 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,199 Speaker 1: We heard from Mark Milly today that General Milly, the 174 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who says Russian 175 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:15,200 Speaker 1: casualties are now well more than a hundred thousand. Is 176 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: there going to be another conscript? But how does Vladimir 177 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: Putin keep up with that? Well? I've seen rumors in 178 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: the press that they might do another conscript. They have 179 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,719 Speaker 1: announced that they're going to increase the size of their 180 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 1: army from I think one point one million to one 181 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 1: point five million, but he hasn't committed all the first 182 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:35,080 Speaker 1: tranche of three hundred thousand he's given so far. But 183 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: Ukraine has become a meat grinder for them, and they 184 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: have proven themselves to be not a near pier that 185 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,719 Speaker 1: the United States thought, but really a second rate of 186 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: not a third rate military with with nuclear weapons, however, 187 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 1: but nonetheless a second rate military power. And they're not 188 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 1: just expending their young men, which is the most important 189 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: component warfare, but they're lacking They're lacking arms and ammunition 190 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 1: and weapons and all the other parts and pieces they 191 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: need to really fight a war. So time is not 192 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:06,560 Speaker 1: on their side from a from a military standpoint, arguably 193 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 1: from a political standpoint, Putin thinks it's on his side. 194 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 1: You must be frustrated sometimes by these conversations, because I know, 195 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 1: for a fact you've been calling for a lot of 196 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 1: this heavy armor in artillery to be sent now for months, 197 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: and now we're walking up against what appears to be 198 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 1: a very dangerous deadline, and it's still not resolve. Yeah, 199 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 1: I just think that we've been behind the curve. I 200 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 1: mentioned before about air defense. We still never approve the 201 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,199 Speaker 1: delivery of the big fighters. We were behind on other 202 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 1: weapons systems, and even now with the tanks and Bradley's 203 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: there's no reason why we we can't or shouldn't have 204 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,199 Speaker 1: been training the Ukrainians on these systems now for the 205 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 1: last few months. Instead, we've finally gotten the first five 206 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: Ukrainians into graph and Vier, Germany, which is a large 207 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 1: American base there, and we're training them on combined arms warfare. 208 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: But will we be able to complete and train enough 209 00:10:56,679 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: soldiers in enough time to be prepared for this offensive? 210 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: And that's the question, and just it feels like we're 211 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: behind the curve. So that's where I've been critical with 212 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: the administration. You know, training is a big component there, 213 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: because again you need time. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, 214 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 1: thank you Mark for coming back to see this author 215 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 1: of a sacred oath, And we assemble the panel for 216 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 1: their views on this. Rick Davis and Jeannie Schanzano or 217 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: here uh, Rick, we always learned something when we talked 218 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 1: to Mark Esper. Uh your thoughts on being behind the 219 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: curve here the Great Hesitation as it may be known 220 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 1: someday from Germany. Why doesn't the U S move right 221 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,319 Speaker 1: now to just get on with it. Yeah. Look, this 222 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: idea forwarded by um uh Senator Graham and and supported 223 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: by former Secretary Esper, you know, to just call the cards, right. 224 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 1: I mean, we don't have a lot of time to 225 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 1: fiddle around, right, and and so if Germany is saying, oh, well, 226 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: we'll do it if Americans, then then we should just 227 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 1: do it, right. I mean, like, uh, you're a hundred 228 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 1: percent right that it is probably not the best piece 229 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: of equipment, you know, for the Ukrainian but if it 230 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 1: unlocks hundreds of units of the Leopard two tank that 231 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: Germany has both in you know, Poland and other places, 232 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 1: then we shouldn't even bat an eye. Let's not play games. Uh. 233 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 1: You know, the Ukrainians are the ones spilling blood and 234 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 1: losing their treasure over a war that they did not 235 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 1: ask for. And and it is really incumbent upon these 236 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 1: Western nations to stop playing games and get back to 237 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: the work of making sure that they have the equipment 238 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,840 Speaker 1: and the needs are fulfilled in a timely basis. Uh, 239 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 1: it really is phenomenal to me that we don't have 240 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:34,199 Speaker 1: tanks on the ground already. Why why are we waiting 241 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 1: to this long to to deploy this kind of equipment. 242 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: It's not like this war hasn't been at this stage 243 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: all along, and so before we, you know, get further 244 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 1: down the road. I think it's it's this kind of equipment. 245 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 1: And it's also long range missiles, right, I mean, like 246 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: we've withheld the ability to hit the Russians beyond their 247 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:56,679 Speaker 1: their their lines where they are building up this spring offensive. 248 00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: And why wouldn't we discourage the Spring offensive by hitting 249 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: them when they're building up and not waiting until they 250 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 1: are in Ukraine killing Ukrainians? Maybe there wouldn't be one. 251 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: And I look, Genie, I know that we're very concerned 252 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: about what's going to happen in the spring. But the 253 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 1: fact is the White House has really gone out of 254 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 1: its way to say there's vicious fighting happening. Now. What's 255 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 1: going on in the done Boss is brutal and the 256 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:22,960 Speaker 1: casualties on both sides are horrifying. There's concern about this 257 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 1: turning into a war of attrition. Is the administration behind 258 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: the ball or they're not getting enough credit for yet 259 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: another troune of weapons being sent over today. Yeah, I mean, 260 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 1: I think they do deserve an awful lot of credit 261 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: for the way they have managed this. I don't think 262 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: a year ago any of us would expected that they 263 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: would have managed this so well. In the Ukrainians as 264 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 1: a result, would have done so well. That said, as 265 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 1: Secretary Esper just laid out what's coming in the spring, 266 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: and you mentioned time is not on anyone side here 267 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,559 Speaker 1: is going to make the situation, which is horrible at 268 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: this point, much much worse. And you know, Mark Esper, 269 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:59,319 Speaker 1: what you and Rick were just talking. We heard Representative 270 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: Moulten's say it the other day that the United States 271 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: should give a few tanks if Schultz wants to be 272 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: in lockstep with the United States, he said, then the 273 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 1: U s should give a few tanks if that's what 274 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 1: it takes to, you know, move Germany. And I think 275 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 1: it's incumbent on all of us to remember why Germany 276 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: is taking this stance, and it's historical. This is a 277 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: very very long red line for them, going way back 278 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: to their Nazi past. This is why this is such 279 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 1: a hard political move for them. It's deeply embedded in 280 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 1: who they are today, and it's gonna take some work 281 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: to get them to move. And I think the United 282 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: States has got to take the lead on that. Boy, 283 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 1: there's a lot, there's a lot there. Rick, How does 284 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: this administration get around that the asks have already been made, 285 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: the ass are made. Um. It's not like we're withholding 286 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: spend on this, right, I mean, Americans are doing an 287 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: enormous amount, what's much more inaggurate than an aggregate than 288 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: the Europeans are. But like everyone is trying to work 289 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: together that I don't mean to sound like, you know, 290 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: we're unhappy with your commitment to this UM but but 291 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: I would say both the US and the Europeans have 292 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 1: been behind the eighth ball. You know, they they send 293 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 1: equipment after it's already needed. It'd be nice to have 294 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: equipment on the ground when it's needed. And so I 295 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: think that's the pressure. Uh. And and look, I mean 296 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 1: I get it. You know, there are historical issues, as 297 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: Genie brings up with Germany. With Germany, but you know, 298 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: Japan just doubled its defense budget. They've got issues too, right, 299 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 1: and they realize we're living in a dangerous world. And 300 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 1: and as much as we like to be informed, by 301 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: our past. We don't want to be held back by 302 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 1: our past. And I think, you know, Europe would celebrate 303 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: if the Germans took a bigger leadership role in uh 304 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: in supplying Ukrainians with the equipment that they need. Genie 305 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: the President was asked today about this and specifically on 306 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 1: others sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine, you know, whether Germany 307 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 1: does or not Poland for instance, He only turned around 308 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: and he said, Ukraine's gonna get all the help they need. 309 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: Is it good for him to say as little of 310 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: that as that, or does he need to say more? 311 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 1: You know, I think he should be you know, listen, 312 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: it's hard to be critical at this point, but I 313 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: think he should be saying more. And I think the 314 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: argument has got to be made that the Germany has 315 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 1: a way in which, speaking of Poland and Ukraine, it 316 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: can be empathetic with where they have been and where 317 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: they are today. You know, you have people talking out 318 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 1: there about Germany killing Ukrainians eighty years ago. Now they 319 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: can defend them. It's that kind of argument that has 320 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: to be made to move them over this line. And 321 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 1: I don't think we can forget how difficult this is 322 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: for Germany and Japan. To Rick's point, boy, fascinating stuff. 323 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:44,040 Speaker 1: Rick and Jeanie, thanks for your insights, great conversation with 324 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,119 Speaker 1: Mark Esper. As we get the fastest hour in politics 325 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: rolling on a Friday, turning next to what has become 326 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 1: a bitter fight to run the Republican National Committee. Mark 327 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,640 Speaker 1: Niquett will be with us along with the panel. Next. 328 00:16:57,040 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: This is Bloomberg. This is Bloomberg, So Long with Joe 329 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: Matthew on Bloomberg Radio. The knives came out for r 330 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,720 Speaker 1: n C chair Ronald McDaniel after the mid terms turned 331 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:18,480 Speaker 1: out to will not be a red wave, though, as 332 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:21,239 Speaker 1: she told Fox News when she was asked about this, 333 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 1: she never claimed there would be one. Listen, listen I I. 334 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: We never used the word red wave at the RNC 335 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 1: because we knew the map at Trunk there were less 336 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: competitive seats because of redistriarching, and we picked up fourteen 337 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: and everybody forgets that. Well, it hasn't gotten any easier 338 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: since then, and we're about a week away from an 339 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: important election here that's gonna figure decide who's the next 340 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 1: chair of the r n C. Enter Hart Meat Dylan, 341 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: a Republican lawyer whose firm. You might know her meat 342 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:54,359 Speaker 1: from TV and radio represented Donald Trump, the r n 343 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: C who helped win damages from Stormy Daniels on former 344 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 1: president's behalf, might actually win this thing. It's it's an 345 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 1: interesting situation we're in. Remember last time we talked about 346 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: Ronal McDaniel were leaking receipts from entertainment, luxury spending and 347 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: so forth. There was clearly a major effort to have 348 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:17,159 Speaker 1: her ousted, and by the way, was just going for 349 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 1: I believe, an unprecedented fourth term. She's not new in 350 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 1: the job. Covering this for Bloomberg this week that's going 351 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: to be an important meeting, followed by the election on 352 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: Friday is Marketing Cap Bloomberg National Politics Reporter. Market's great 353 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: to have you back. We haven't spoken in a minute here, 354 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,160 Speaker 1: and I'm glad that you're covering this for us. How 355 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:41,680 Speaker 1: much trouble is Ronald McDaniel inn what we're gonna see? 356 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 1: I mean, normally these are pretty sleepy affairs and foregone conclusions, 357 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:49,920 Speaker 1: but it looks to be a very competitive race. Ronald 358 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 1: McDaniel is telling us that she has the votes. Um, 359 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 1: this is sort of a very clubby election. You only 360 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: need a majority of the hundred and sixty eight r 361 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 1: and C members who are eligible to vote for for 362 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 1: chair to to win. So she only needs to get 363 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: eight five votes, and she claims that she has well 364 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: more than that already committed to her. But Harmony Dillon 365 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: is is making the case that, uh, you know, this 366 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: is a secret ballot, and you know urn C members 367 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: who are telling Ronal McDaniel to her facial supporter will 368 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: vote for her, and when when the vote comes in, 369 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: the all of the secret um. So we're gonna have 370 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:30,440 Speaker 1: to find out. It's also complicating things that h Mike Lindell, 371 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:34,560 Speaker 1: the my pillow guy, is also a candidate and could 372 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 1: you know, attract some of the anti Ronal McDaniel vote 373 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:40,840 Speaker 1: split the anti Ronald McDaniel vote. And that is my 374 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 1: fault that I failed to mention because he was the 375 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 1: first to declare, which we talked about at the time. Uh, 376 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:51,919 Speaker 1: cutting ties with the Commission on Presidential Debates? Has that 377 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: been a complicating factor here as well as that is 378 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 1: that part of the concern about Rona McDaniel or has 379 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: that been embraced. Yeah, I think that's that's pretty well 380 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: accepted by the RNC members that they wanted to move 381 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:07,480 Speaker 1: on from the Presidential Debate Commission. They felt it wasn't 382 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:12,880 Speaker 1: fair to Republicans. Um. I think what's causing Ronald McDaniel 383 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:16,639 Speaker 1: the most trouble is the case that Harmony Dylan and 384 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: her opponents are making that you know, Republicans just haven't 385 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: won under her leadership. Republicans have had very disappointing election 386 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: results the last three federal cycles. And uh, the argument 387 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 1: is sort of that the team doesn't do well, you 388 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: should change the coaches. Uh. And and that's the case 389 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,600 Speaker 1: that Harmy Dylan is making to these members. You know, 390 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: it's time for a change. And she would tell you, 391 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: of course, right, we got a majority in the House, 392 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,760 Speaker 1: and I just raised a lot of money for you. Uh. 393 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:46,120 Speaker 1: There's a group of about a hundred and fifty Republican 394 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:48,480 Speaker 1: donors who wrote a letter to r NC members in 395 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: her support that would reinforce and reinforce your first point 396 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,199 Speaker 1: that maybe we aren't making enough of her base of 397 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: support going into this election. Yeah, she had released a 398 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:02,360 Speaker 1: letter today from a billionaire Diane Hendrix, also supporting her. 399 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:06,199 Speaker 1: And UM, you know, clearly, as you said, makes the 400 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 1: case that it is not time for change, that you know, 401 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 1: she's done good things that have gotten results at the 402 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 1: r n C UM and even if you know, the 403 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 1: election results weren't as good as Republicans wanted, Republicans still 404 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 1: did well to do well, and she has set the 405 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 1: party out for a successful campaign. Well. So, how much 406 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:26,639 Speaker 1: of this has to do with the turnout in the 407 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:29,120 Speaker 1: mid terms versus the way that the committee is actually 408 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 1: being run. I think that's a lot of it. Um 409 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 1: And in fact, you know, one of the interesting UM 410 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 1: points at this meeting will be, you know, discussion about 411 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:41,879 Speaker 1: the role Donald Trump played in the mid terms and 412 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:45,360 Speaker 1: whether you know who leads the r n C and 413 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:49,439 Speaker 1: what that person's relationship to Trump is matters because Trump 414 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:54,240 Speaker 1: was widely blamed for UM the disappointing GOP results because 415 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,280 Speaker 1: he hand picked a lot of candidates and key Senate 416 00:21:57,359 --> 00:22:01,119 Speaker 1: and other races that UM just got defeated and racist 417 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: Republicans thought they would win. So um, you know, I 418 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:06,840 Speaker 1: think part of the discussion at this this winter meeting 419 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 1: will be, you know, how much does Trump bear blame 420 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: versus whatever the RNC was doing or not doing to 421 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 1: support candidates. Mark Ncatt, great to have you back. Mark Bloomberg, 422 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:20,960 Speaker 1: National Politics, reporter curious to hear from the panel on this. 423 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:24,040 Speaker 1: Rick Davis certainly knows the RNC inside and out. Rick. 424 00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 1: The story in the Washington Post is that Ronald McDaniels 425 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,560 Speaker 1: making the case internally that she's best for this job 426 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 1: because she can prevent Donald Trump from forming a third 427 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:37,840 Speaker 1: party if he fails to win the Republican presidential nomination 428 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 1: next year. Do you buy that? Yeah? You know what, 429 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:42,239 Speaker 1: that's a head scratcher, right, because, like you wonder, like 430 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: what was the issue that she was addressing by saying that. Yeah, 431 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:48,160 Speaker 1: I mean, first of all, it kind of undermines Donald 432 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: Trump's presidential campaign with the threat that he might become 433 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 1: an independent. Like wait a minute, now, did someone called 434 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:55,840 Speaker 1: Donald Trump and say, hey, are you talking about quitting 435 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: the party right before right when you've announced your running 436 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 1: for the president. Um, Honestly, I mean, this is the 437 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:04,159 Speaker 1: problem with Ronald McDaniels, right, I mean, she's not been 438 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:07,720 Speaker 1: a great chairman, and and the only problem with that 439 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:10,239 Speaker 1: is that there are others who want to succeed her 440 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:13,440 Speaker 1: who might actually be even worse at being chairman. I mean, 441 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:16,879 Speaker 1: I meet Dylan got sevent of the vote when she 442 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:19,679 Speaker 1: ran for the Assembly in California. California has one of 443 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 1: the worst Republican parties in the entire country. So what 444 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:26,679 Speaker 1: experiences she bring into the table that helps win elections, 445 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 1: Because that's the job of the RNC. It's not to 446 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,400 Speaker 1: fight in the courts, other than to try and contest elections. 447 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:36,880 Speaker 1: It's to actually register voters, advocate to them, and turn 448 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: them out to vote. Genie, I'm guessing Mike Lindell is 449 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,359 Speaker 1: not kidding this. I think not. But you know, I 450 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:45,439 Speaker 1: think Rick forgets what her claim to fame was. She 451 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:49,320 Speaker 1: announced on Twitter that she had gotten a breakfast sandwich, coffee, 452 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:52,920 Speaker 1: and doughnuts from Duncan Donuts for only ten dollars as 453 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 1: a sign of how frugal a ship she will run 454 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:57,440 Speaker 1: at the RNC. So I don't know if that will 455 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,680 Speaker 1: make Rick feel any better, but that was one of 456 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 1: her claims to fame and one of the things she 457 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,439 Speaker 1: is running on that she has actually publicly announced to 458 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: talk about. Dysfunctional. But you know what the reality is, 459 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:13,159 Speaker 1: I'm not sure, but the Republican Party today seems to 460 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: be like focused on these contested leadership elections. This is 461 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:20,399 Speaker 1: the first time since eleven we've seen this in the 462 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 1: r n C. Of course it was a hundred years 463 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:26,360 Speaker 1: with the speaker. So dysfunctional family comes to mind, and 464 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 1: they're really trying to sort out who they are. And 465 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:32,280 Speaker 1: I don't think Democrats are that sad about this whole thing. No, 466 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 1: I believe you've are that when Rick tell our listeners 467 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 1: why this matters? What is the r n c U 468 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 1: gonna need to do to help Republicans, for instance, take 469 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: back the White House if if they succeed in doing 470 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,680 Speaker 1: so in twenty four Well, first of all, for the record, 471 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 1: I'm a Krispy Kreme guy, so being a owner parer 472 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:52,160 Speaker 1: doesn't do anything for me. But look, I mean, we're 473 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: actually in an interesting period of time because we don't 474 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 1: have an incumbent, right, I mean, And even though Donald 475 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:01,080 Speaker 1: Trump kind of wants himself to he's seen as the incumbent, 476 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,960 Speaker 1: he's not. Uh. He's a former president who's been out 477 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:06,159 Speaker 1: of the game now for two years, even though he 478 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:08,199 Speaker 1: tries to push himself into the game for you know 479 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:10,640 Speaker 1: every day. Uh. And and and there are a lot 480 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 1: of other candidates shaping up for president. And and at 481 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: the same time, where we always fall down is we 482 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:20,200 Speaker 1: we focus on the top and we don't build out 483 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 1: our capability UH to build a grassroots organization, which is 484 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 1: the r n C S mandate. And so in states 485 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:32,440 Speaker 1: like Arizona and Colorado and and Georgia where a few 486 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,000 Speaker 1: hundred votes matter, you know, to the outcome of these elections, 487 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 1: were not well equipped to contest that because we're not 488 00:25:39,119 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: turning our vote out, and so all the mechanics of 489 00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:44,399 Speaker 1: the business have to be done by the party, and 490 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:48,159 Speaker 1: state parties look to the national Party for guidance and 491 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:52,400 Speaker 1: resources and expertise. And if if we have a dysfunctional RNC, 492 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 1: then those things don't flow down. And it's not a 493 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:57,119 Speaker 1: shock to anybody that we lose these elections by a 494 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 1: couple of thousand votes. Well, that's there's a lot to 495 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 1: think about their genie. Who would Democrats prefer to have 496 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,080 Speaker 1: run the r n C Army dealon or Ron McDaniels. 497 00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:09,160 Speaker 1: I think Dylan, you know, listen, she likes her breakfast sandwiches, 498 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:11,640 Speaker 1: she likes the cheap I think they prefer her. And 499 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 1: you know, the other thing below the presidential level is 500 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 1: the Senate map is horrible for Democrats. In twenty four 501 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 1: this should be a good year for Republicans if they 502 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 1: can sort out some of these differences, especially at the 503 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:27,160 Speaker 1: Senate level, because again the map for Democrats is looking very, 504 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 1: very challenging. So this may have a moderating effect. In 505 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:31,879 Speaker 1: other words, if if the committee ends up in the 506 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:35,640 Speaker 1: wrong hands. Yeah, you know, any little bit would help 507 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:38,359 Speaker 1: Democrats in the Senate level. At this point, they're really 508 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:40,119 Speaker 1: going to struggle there as we know. I mean you 509 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: look at everybody from Kristen Cinema to Joe Manchin. These 510 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 1: are races in red areas where Democrats really have a 511 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 1: chance to pick up blue seats. So if they can 512 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:50,879 Speaker 1: get this together, it would really help them. But of 513 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:53,280 Speaker 1: course Democrats are hoping they can't do that in time. 514 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 1: You ever just pull into the Crispy Kreme when the 515 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,239 Speaker 1: hot lights on, Rick, Oh yeah, absolutely, route one right 516 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 1: down the street here. I mean like I'm peeling it 517 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,280 Speaker 1: back and wow, a Saturday morning, the lights on and 518 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 1: those things are fresh out of that oil. Oh man, 519 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: I don't feel much better about myself. This is I'm 520 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 1: glad we had this talk Rick Davis, Jitty Chanzano for 521 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:17,159 Speaker 1: the hour, as always our signature panel on Bloomberg Sound On. 522 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:19,040 Speaker 1: We've got a lot more to cover here. News coming 523 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 1: up out of Florida, where the AP African American Studies 524 00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:26,800 Speaker 1: course has been rejected, got the attention of the White House, 525 00:27:26,840 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 1: and we'll have more on that next. This is Bloomberg 526 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:37,560 Speaker 1: So Long with Joe Matthew on Bloomberg Radio. The De 527 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:41,200 Speaker 1: Santa's administration in Florida made big headlines and it banned 528 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 1: schools from teaching critical race theory, even as a number 529 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:49,280 Speaker 1: of experts said it wasn't part of the curriculum. But 530 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:55,000 Speaker 1: now the AP African American Studies course is going away. 531 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:58,679 Speaker 1: The Florida Department of Education wrote a letter to the 532 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:03,880 Speaker 1: College Board lord a partnership and said that the content 533 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 1: of the course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and 534 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 1: significantly lacks educational value. It's unclear exactly what was meant 535 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:19,439 Speaker 1: there the Department's Office of Articulation. I didn't go further 536 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:22,840 Speaker 1: in depth, but you better believe it came up in 537 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 1: the White House briefing today and interesting. You know, there 538 00:28:26,119 --> 00:28:28,440 Speaker 1: are some things that the White House Press Secretary will 539 00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:32,320 Speaker 1: talk about and there are other things that they will not. 540 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:35,240 Speaker 1: This was one that Karine Jean Pierre was ready for. 541 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: Acknowledged that the White House has no oversight, of course, 542 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 1: of a state's school curriculum, but then leaned into this decision. 543 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 1: Here she is. They didn't block a p European history, 544 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:48,480 Speaker 1: they didn't block our our music history, they didn't block 545 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:52,520 Speaker 1: our art history. But the state chooses to to block 546 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 1: a course that is meant for high achieving high school 547 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 1: students to learn about their history of arts and culture. 548 00:28:59,280 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 1: And it is um, you know, it is incomprehensible again 549 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 1: and I will just leave it there. Leave it there 550 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:08,800 Speaker 1: to make your own, uh, to make your own determination 551 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: of why this occurred and why this happened. I like 552 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:14,760 Speaker 1: to hear the determination of our panel Bloomberg Politics contributors 553 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 1: Jeanie Schanzino and Rick Davis or here Genie Rhonda. Santis 554 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 1: got a lot of credit amongst at least his base 555 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:27,320 Speaker 1: of support for the what was the stop Woke Act? Uh, 556 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:30,479 Speaker 1: for the Don't Say Gay law? What's the what's the 557 00:29:30,520 --> 00:29:34,480 Speaker 1: purpose of this? Yeah? And that was partly overturned by 558 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 1: a federal judge, but partly remains in place. And you know, 559 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 1: I think it speaks to who run to Santis is 560 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 1: and what he's doing. You mentioned he they passed a 561 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:46,480 Speaker 1: law on critical race theory, despite the fact it wasn't 562 00:29:46,520 --> 00:29:49,400 Speaker 1: being even being taught in those schools. And when you 563 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 1: look at the a P class that they has just 564 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:54,320 Speaker 1: been banned, it's only taught in sixty high schools in 565 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:57,480 Speaker 1: the United States and one in Florida. So this is 566 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 1: not the biggest problem facing either Florida or the United States, 567 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:04,560 Speaker 1: if you believe it's a problem number one and number two, 568 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:09,360 Speaker 1: what we do know about it is there's nothing objectionable 569 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:12,040 Speaker 1: about it that they could point to. They didn't point 570 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:15,200 Speaker 1: to a law that it conflicted within Florida, and it's 571 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:19,360 Speaker 1: something that focuses on teaching the African experience upon their 572 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,680 Speaker 1: arrival in North America. And it's hard to imagine how 573 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,959 Speaker 1: that could be objectionable and do anything but help improve 574 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:28,600 Speaker 1: race relations in the country where we desperately need them. 575 00:30:28,840 --> 00:30:31,600 Speaker 1: And so from almost any perspective, it's mind boggling to 576 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 1: see why a governor, except for political reasons, would be 577 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:38,520 Speaker 1: engaged in this kind of activity. But Rondo Santa's doing 578 00:30:38,560 --> 00:30:42,120 Speaker 1: this time, Rick, Yeah, look and exactly what Jinnie just 579 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:45,280 Speaker 1: finished up saying. I mean, he is using his perch 580 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:49,400 Speaker 1: as governor to do things. Uh. As governor of the 581 00:30:49,440 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 1: state of Florida with Florida institutions and Florida corporations. Uh, 582 00:30:54,200 --> 00:31:01,120 Speaker 1: to brandish his anti woke philosophy. And and um, you know, 583 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,760 Speaker 1: what does he say woke Florida is a place woke 584 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:07,280 Speaker 1: goes to die? Um and uh, you know, and so 585 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,600 Speaker 1: this is this is fundamentally how he is going to 586 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:15,200 Speaker 1: brandish himself politically, now, whether that is in anticipation of 587 00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:19,120 Speaker 1: running for president or you know, just you know, continuing 588 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:22,760 Speaker 1: to sharpen his political sword in the state. Um. You know, 589 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:24,840 Speaker 1: this is how he's defined himself. It is the core 590 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:28,080 Speaker 1: of his campaign for re election, where he did quite well. 591 00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:31,320 Speaker 1: And so there is a constituency in Florida for this. 592 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:35,400 Speaker 1: Whether or not this will travel to places around the 593 00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:38,120 Speaker 1: country if he decides to run for president and continues 594 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 1: this rhetoric, it'll be interesting to see because when you 595 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:44,400 Speaker 1: start talking about prosecuting, you know, people for having certain 596 00:31:44,600 --> 00:31:48,560 Speaker 1: undesirable books in their library, you know, or going after 597 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:51,360 Speaker 1: Ben and Jerry's in Disney in the NHL, I mean, like, 598 00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:54,000 Speaker 1: you know, he's picking a lot of big names as 599 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:57,160 Speaker 1: enemies and uh. And so it'll be interesting to see 600 00:31:57,200 --> 00:31:59,160 Speaker 1: whether or not this works for him. That's a great point. 601 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 1: It's also a true any that he's got a real 602 00:32:01,240 --> 00:32:04,160 Speaker 1: nose for an opportunity, right, you know, whether it's putting 603 00:32:04,880 --> 00:32:08,200 Speaker 1: uh migrants on airplanes, he he seems to end up 604 00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:10,080 Speaker 1: in the right place at the right time to attract 605 00:32:10,200 --> 00:32:12,640 Speaker 1: his base of support. But when you consider him as 606 00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:15,360 Speaker 1: a national politician, I just want to be a little 607 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:17,840 Speaker 1: more specific here. This is the This this ap African 608 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:21,520 Speaker 1: American Studies course is the College Board's first new class 609 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:26,280 Speaker 1: in in what six years here and his Genie reference 610 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:29,640 Speaker 1: set to cover more than four hundred years of African 611 00:32:29,720 --> 00:32:34,440 Speaker 1: American history, touching on topics like literature, political science, geography, 612 00:32:35,040 --> 00:32:37,719 Speaker 1: uh part of a broader program in US high schools here. 613 00:32:37,840 --> 00:32:41,320 Speaker 1: So how does that appeal A decision like that appeal 614 00:32:41,760 --> 00:32:45,640 Speaker 1: to a national audience? Genie? Yeah, I mean I think 615 00:32:45,720 --> 00:32:48,000 Speaker 1: that's the big question. And you nailed it when you 616 00:32:48,120 --> 00:32:50,520 Speaker 1: said he has a nose for figuring out what is 617 00:32:50,560 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 1: going to benefit him politically. And I think what Republicans 618 00:32:54,280 --> 00:32:56,719 Speaker 1: are going to have to determine across the country if 619 00:32:56,760 --> 00:32:59,240 Speaker 1: he does choose to run, and what Americans if he 620 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:02,240 Speaker 1: ever got the nation, is this really what they want 621 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:05,200 Speaker 1: their president focusing on? I mean, what we're hearing is 622 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:08,400 Speaker 1: teachers in Florida report looking over their shoulder, concerned they're 623 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:11,040 Speaker 1: going to be disciplined or indeed fired because they have 624 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:14,120 Speaker 1: said or taught something that is objectionable. And let's not 625 00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:17,560 Speaker 1: forget the damage being done to students. This is a 626 00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 1: along with another new Florida state law that restricts teachers 627 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:26,080 Speaker 1: from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity when they are teaching. 628 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:31,760 Speaker 1: That is hurting young people in that state. And this 629 00:33:32,040 --> 00:33:34,440 Speaker 1: is I think why he's going to have a problem 630 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:38,040 Speaker 1: e merging from Florida or emerging from Florida if he chooses, 631 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 1: due to the national scale stale, Because why would Americans 632 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,800 Speaker 1: want a president who thinks these are the problems that 633 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:47,760 Speaker 1: he is going to be addressing. Address the economy, address 634 00:33:47,840 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 1: something that matters, leave teachers to teaching. Another way to 635 00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:56,200 Speaker 1: look at this, Rick Uh wouldn't accepting or embracing of course, 636 00:33:56,320 --> 00:34:00,840 Speaker 1: like this actually helped the silence some of Rhonda Santass critics. Um, well, 637 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:05,280 Speaker 1: I'm not sure he wants to silence his critics. Um. Remember, 638 00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:09,800 Speaker 1: politics is a sport of picking your friends and fighting 639 00:34:09,840 --> 00:34:12,600 Speaker 1: your enemies, and I think Ron de standis has made 640 00:34:12,640 --> 00:34:17,040 Speaker 1: a calculated decision that you know, he can put together 641 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:21,560 Speaker 1: his friends and build a governing coalition, certainly in Florida, 642 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:25,440 Speaker 1: but maybe potentially in the nation with this kind of conduct, 643 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:27,440 Speaker 1: and and that if someone wants to fight him for this, 644 00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:31,520 Speaker 1: he'll go down swinging. Uh. He's really not trying to 645 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:35,840 Speaker 1: build a coalition of people outside this anti woke ideology. 646 00:34:35,920 --> 00:34:39,480 Speaker 1: He's trying to own the anti woke ideology and and 647 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:42,560 Speaker 1: and get supporters that way. Doesn't sound like somebody who 648 00:34:42,600 --> 00:34:45,360 Speaker 1: wants to run for president in two years. But you 649 00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:49,160 Speaker 1: tell me I'm wrong, Genie. Yeah, we don't know yet. Yeah, 650 00:34:49,239 --> 00:34:51,279 Speaker 1: I mean. And to Rick's point, he did very well 651 00:34:51,360 --> 00:34:53,200 Speaker 1: in the last election. Now about to be clear, his 652 00:34:53,280 --> 00:34:57,279 Speaker 1: Democratic challenger wasn't, you know, particularly the strongest challenger. But 653 00:34:57,400 --> 00:34:59,680 Speaker 1: I think the White House's point that they're not blocking 654 00:34:59,719 --> 00:35:02,560 Speaker 1: your p in history, not blocking art history, not blocking 655 00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:06,520 Speaker 1: music history, but they're picking on African American history is 656 00:35:06,680 --> 00:35:08,759 Speaker 1: very very telling, and I think it's going to make 657 00:35:08,800 --> 00:35:11,440 Speaker 1: it very very difficult for him if he does choose 658 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:14,600 Speaker 1: to move national. He could win a primary, though Rick, 659 00:35:14,960 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 1: and I don't know your thoughts on this. Is he 660 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:20,040 Speaker 1: thinking nationally here to get back to your point earlier. 661 00:35:20,760 --> 00:35:23,080 Speaker 1: Yet some point have to change that strategy to appeal 662 00:35:23,120 --> 00:35:25,279 Speaker 1: to a larger base. Yeah, I'm not sure he has 663 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:27,560 Speaker 1: to appeal a large I'm not sure he has to 664 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:30,640 Speaker 1: change that strategy strategy to appeal to a larger base. 665 00:35:30,719 --> 00:35:32,760 Speaker 1: I mean the example I would use as in Virginia 666 00:35:32,840 --> 00:35:35,600 Speaker 1: with Governor youcan he used the same kind of school 667 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:41,040 Speaker 1: culture wars to win suburban voters in northern Virginia that 668 00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:44,480 Speaker 1: Republicans have not been able to win because of Donald Trump. 669 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:48,160 Speaker 1: And so I think we tend to be I think 670 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:50,719 Speaker 1: a little too critical at this stage without looking at 671 00:35:50,760 --> 00:35:53,720 Speaker 1: where the coalitions are, because there are a lot of parents, 672 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:57,920 Speaker 1: you know, who do not want identity uh discussions in 673 00:35:57,960 --> 00:36:01,200 Speaker 1: the classroom between kindergarten third grade, which is what that 674 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:04,080 Speaker 1: Florida the law does. So when he says, hey, it's 675 00:36:04,320 --> 00:36:06,680 Speaker 1: just not appropriate to have a conversation like that to 676 00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:09,160 Speaker 1: a third grader, there are very few parents who don't 677 00:36:09,160 --> 00:36:11,480 Speaker 1: scratchate and say, yeah, what's wrong with you? But but 678 00:36:11,560 --> 00:36:13,880 Speaker 1: African American studies at high school you see as a 679 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:16,320 Speaker 1: different thing, right, No, I think it's part of a 680 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:18,759 Speaker 1: package of those kinds of issues. I mean, you can 681 00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:20,759 Speaker 1: pick and choose those as to which ones you like. 682 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:24,960 Speaker 1: But the overall theme is to find issues that you 683 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:27,880 Speaker 1: think are out of the mainstream for for families in America. 684 00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:31,120 Speaker 1: More with our panel. Next on sound On, This is Bloomberg. 685 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:38,600 Speaker 1: This is Bloomberg. Son On with Joe Matthew on Bloomberg Radio. 686 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:43,440 Speaker 1: If you're daily reminder from Innovation Refunds to see if 687 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:46,920 Speaker 1: you're small to medium sized business qualifies for a payroll 688 00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:50,880 Speaker 1: tax refund if your business was impacted by the pandemic. 689 00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:53,440 Speaker 1: This is your opportunity right now to take control of 690 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:57,719 Speaker 1: your businesses future. Learn more at get refunds dot com. 691 00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:05,520 Speaker 1: The Congressman George Santos says it's not true, never performed 692 00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:10,920 Speaker 1: as a drag queen. Have you seen the picture? I 693 00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:14,680 Speaker 1: have Twitter. I'm sure you've seen the picture. Quote. The 694 00:37:14,719 --> 00:37:17,160 Speaker 1: most recent obsession from the media claiming I am a 695 00:37:17,280 --> 00:37:21,720 Speaker 1: drag queen or performed as a drag queen is categorically false, 696 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:26,240 Speaker 1: he tweets, the media continues to make outrageous claims about 697 00:37:26,280 --> 00:37:29,120 Speaker 1: my life while I am working to deliver results. I 698 00:37:29,160 --> 00:37:33,000 Speaker 1: will not be distracted nor phased by this. Uh. This 699 00:37:33,160 --> 00:37:36,200 Speaker 1: salt came about when a picture was released if you 700 00:37:36,320 --> 00:37:42,440 Speaker 1: haven't seen it yet, by a drag performer from Brazil. 701 00:37:42,920 --> 00:37:45,640 Speaker 1: It ended up in the newspaper down there back in 702 00:37:45,760 --> 00:37:49,120 Speaker 1: I believe it was two thousand eight. And then this 703 00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:54,560 Speaker 1: individual provided a more clear picture two CNN and it's 704 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:58,040 Speaker 1: gone everywhere. Send an up close, full color photo of 705 00:37:58,120 --> 00:38:01,960 Speaker 1: what appears to be George Santos in drag. Now, you know, 706 00:38:02,040 --> 00:38:05,920 Speaker 1: and we're not again, we're not talking the drag brunch 707 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:11,480 Speaker 1: in Adams Morgan. We're talking Rio de Sanio. Here thoughts 708 00:38:11,560 --> 00:38:15,399 Speaker 1: from our panel, knowing that the Republican Party has sort 709 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 1: of focused on the drag thing as a real offense 710 00:38:19,520 --> 00:38:22,560 Speaker 1: and suggesting that you know, they're grooming kids and so forth. 711 00:38:23,120 --> 00:38:28,920 Speaker 1: Rick Davis got two years of this in you. Uh, 712 00:38:29,000 --> 00:38:32,239 Speaker 1: this is gonna be just absolutely entertaining. I mean, the 713 00:38:32,320 --> 00:38:37,200 Speaker 1: fabulous sometimes known as Congressman George Santos, sometimes Anthony Devolder 714 00:38:37,320 --> 00:38:41,560 Speaker 1: and now, as we have found out, Qatara his stage name, 715 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:44,759 Speaker 1: like a drag queen. I mean, like this guy has 716 00:38:44,800 --> 00:38:48,759 Speaker 1: more aliases than anything I've ever heard of. And and look, 717 00:38:48,800 --> 00:38:52,560 Speaker 1: I mean he he's telling us the truth right well, 718 00:38:52,640 --> 00:38:55,640 Speaker 1: he hasn't. He hasn't been accustomed to telling the truth. 719 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:57,800 Speaker 1: As long as we've known him, which is all of 720 00:38:57,880 --> 00:39:02,320 Speaker 1: about six months. So, um, it's really it's really unfortunate 721 00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:05,000 Speaker 1: for the Republican Caucus in the House of Representatives. I mean, 722 00:39:05,040 --> 00:39:07,680 Speaker 1: this is an embarrassment. Uh it I mean we like 723 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:11,240 Speaker 1: to make light of it. It's got enormous entertainment value, 724 00:39:11,280 --> 00:39:13,320 Speaker 1: which I am sure we will dine on for the 725 00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:16,719 Speaker 1: next two years. Um, but uh, it's it's it's kind 726 00:39:16,760 --> 00:39:20,319 Speaker 1: of unfortunate because this is exactly what undermines the credibility 727 00:39:21,160 --> 00:39:25,680 Speaker 1: of politicians, parties and government in the eyes of voters 728 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:31,080 Speaker 1: when you allow this kind of you know, misrepresentation, obstacation 729 00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:35,440 Speaker 1: and and like just outright lying about um uh you know, 730 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:38,480 Speaker 1: your background or any other issues. So it's it's unfortunate. 731 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:41,239 Speaker 1: I mean I like to make fun of it. It 732 00:39:41,400 --> 00:39:44,400 Speaker 1: is going to be entertaining, but it is unfortunate to 733 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:47,879 Speaker 1: the House of Representatives that they have. Uh. This really 734 00:39:47,960 --> 00:39:50,680 Speaker 1: one bad apple that could spoil the batch. What's the 735 00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:53,319 Speaker 1: problem with this development, though, Jeanie, what if you said, yeah, 736 00:39:53,360 --> 00:39:55,000 Speaker 1: that was me. We had a great party down in 737 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:58,600 Speaker 1: Rio Desionaire. I mean, what what's the issue uh with 738 00:39:58,840 --> 00:40:03,080 Speaker 1: appearing in drag for for a publicly gay member of Congress. 739 00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:06,239 Speaker 1: There should be nothing wrong with it. And you know, 740 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:08,879 Speaker 1: I was just listening to Rick with all of those names, 741 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:10,400 Speaker 1: and I was so glad you went to Rick on 742 00:40:10,480 --> 00:40:14,640 Speaker 1: this first. And it made me really miss Carlos danger. 743 00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:20,040 Speaker 1: Remember that whole thing with Anthony Weener. So you know, yeah, 744 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:24,000 Speaker 1: I'm getting reminiscing. Um. It shouldn't matter, you know, to 745 00:40:24,160 --> 00:40:27,000 Speaker 1: me personally. What mattered a lot more was these navy 746 00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:29,480 Speaker 1: veterans talking about how he took the money for their 747 00:40:29,520 --> 00:40:32,960 Speaker 1: pitbull sapphire who needed surgery. And you know, I think 748 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:35,960 Speaker 1: the reality with George Santos, he can't tell the truth 749 00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:39,759 Speaker 1: and he hasn't told the truth, and they are going 750 00:40:39,840 --> 00:40:42,880 Speaker 1: to They being the state Attorney General, the FEDS, everybody 751 00:40:42,920 --> 00:40:45,879 Speaker 1: else need to follow the money, including with the money 752 00:40:45,960 --> 00:40:48,360 Speaker 1: that he took for the pit bull sapphire, and that 753 00:40:48,560 --> 00:40:50,399 Speaker 1: is what is going to get him into trouble because 754 00:40:50,480 --> 00:40:54,880 Speaker 1: Republicans are not going to apparently expel him. The Brazilian 755 00:40:55,160 --> 00:40:59,879 Speaker 1: performer with the photograph tells CNN, uh surprised to learn 756 00:41:00,200 --> 00:41:03,920 Speaker 1: Santos was a Republican. Quote, I don't know him now, 757 00:41:04,719 --> 00:41:09,480 Speaker 1: I only knew him. Then what will we dig up? 758 00:41:09,560 --> 00:41:11,560 Speaker 1: Next week Rick and Jennie will be with us to 759 00:41:11,560 --> 00:41:14,560 Speaker 1: Atmosphere Our Way. Have a weekend. I'll meet you back Monday. 760 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:17,920 Speaker 1: What a week. I'm Joe Matthew. This is Bloomberg.