1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Arguments are over, question time is about to begin, and 2 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he doesn't have the 3 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: votes to end impeachment. Away we go. This is Verdict 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: with Ted Cruz. Welcome back to Verdict with Ted Cruz. 5 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: I'm Michael Knowles, Senator. Before we get started, I am 6 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: seeing reports on Twitter. I want to hear it straight 7 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: from you that Mitch McConnell called the senators into a 8 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: room and said he does not have the votes to 9 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: stop witnesses. He does not have the votes to end impeachment. Well, 10 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:42,880 Speaker 1: I think those reports overstated a little bit. The votes 11 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: are up of the air. It's not clear where the 12 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: votes are, but it is absolutely true. We finished finished 13 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 1: opening arguments today, finished it relatively early, about three o'clock 14 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: in the afternoon, and afterwards all the Republicans went back 15 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: to a conference room to talk about okay, what next 16 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: and next two days or questions. But then on Friday 17 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: is the vote, and it's the vote on whether to 18 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: hear additional witnesses. And by the way, that we're additional 19 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 1: is important. The media when they reported keep describing it 20 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:16,679 Speaker 1: as the vote whether or not to hear witnesses. Right, 21 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 1: But it's worth noting the House heard testimony from seventeen 22 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: witnesses and they played that testimony for us. They relied 23 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: on those documents, they laid it forward. So the question 24 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: is is any additional evidence or any additional witnesses necessary. 25 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:37,960 Speaker 1: That is a close question. I don't know where the 26 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 1: votes are. All forty seven Democrats are going to vote yes, 27 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: So the question is are there going to be four 28 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: Republicans to join them? You've had there could be. It 29 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 1: is close. And so this was a meeting, and we 30 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: have these periodically. It where leadership kind of brings the 31 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: conference together and is trying to whip everyone and get 32 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: everyone in line. You know, I have to admit afterwards, 33 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: Mike Lee and I were laughing because we've been to 34 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: a bunch of those meetings, and usually it's leadership unloading 35 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: on the conservatives. Mike, Mike and I are used to 36 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: being being the bad guys and being like, you know, 37 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: just they're pounding on us, going why why are you 38 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 1: guys like like causing trouble? In this instance, it was 39 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: actually leadership trying to the folks that are threatening to 40 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:24,959 Speaker 1: vote with the Democrats. Are the more more moderate Republicans, 41 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 1: and so it was very much a on effort designed 42 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: to bring them along. That must have felt nice to 43 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: be the good guy in one of these conference meetings. Yeah, nice, 44 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: although a little terrifying. But but but look, I think 45 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: there were a lot of good arguments that were made. 46 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: The folks who are wobbly, the folks who haven't made 47 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: up their mind where they're gonna be, they were essentially quiet. 48 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,399 Speaker 1: So these are the people that you call the rhinos, 49 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: the squishes, that's the those are the mean jokes. I'm 50 00:02:54,680 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: not gonna throw any epithets rum but us and I 51 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: think is a constitutional matter. As a legal matter, this 52 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: is a very easy decision. The House managers haven't proven 53 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 1: their case. They have the bird to proof, they have 54 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,399 Speaker 1: a bird approof to prove the president committed high crimes 55 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: or misdemeanors, and you haven't done that. And in terms 56 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 1: of the structure here, I mean the reason that this 57 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: meeting is crucial now is you had the House Democrats 58 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: make their arguments for impeachment. They got their time to 59 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: do that. Then the Trump team got its time to 60 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:28,639 Speaker 1: defend the president against impeachment. Now, over the next couple days, 61 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 1: we're heading into question time. That is when the senators 62 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 1: get to ask questions of the two legal teams. So 63 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: this is the moment now where everybody's got to sort 64 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: of circle the wagons and get the strategy well. And 65 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: in this huddel, I mean, a bunch of us stood 66 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: up and had different things to say. So I stood 67 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: up and I tried to present three arguments to the 68 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: conference as to why we should say we've heard enough, 69 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: we don't need addition to witnesses. The first I said is, look, 70 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: as we've seen from the New York Times with this 71 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: John Bolden stuff, there's going to be a bombshell a day. 72 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: This is the game they're gonna play. There's going to 73 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: be a bombshell tomorrow. I don't know what it is, 74 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: but it's going to be something, and they're going to 75 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: do it again the next day. And I relate, Look, 76 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: this is this is what the game they played during 77 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: the Kavanaugh hearings, where they held all the accusations to 78 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: the end, and then they rolled out one after the 79 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 1: other after the other. And I said, the media wants 80 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 1: to browbeat Republicans into extending this. So that was my 81 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: first point. My second points, listen to Democrats. They haven't 82 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 1: proven their case. They're losing right now, so their game 83 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 1: is just delay. They just want to delay this, keep 84 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 1: it going as long as possible, and engage in a 85 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,920 Speaker 1: fishing expedition. So bring in another witness. Maybe they'll get 86 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 1: something from a witness, but just extend it out. And 87 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: in particular, Chuck Schumer has not been subtle about trying 88 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 1: to put Senate Republicans in purple states who are up 89 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 1: for reelection in a hard position where whatever they vote, 90 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: It's interesting Schumer actually doesn't care, I think how the 91 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:56,919 Speaker 1: purple state Republicans vote, because if they vote against the 92 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: president on any witness question, that'll do more allies their 93 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: base and make it easier to beat them. On the 94 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: other hand, if if they vote with the president and 95 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 1: all the questions, then that'll let in a purple state 96 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: that may not be solidly Republican. That then gives an 97 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: opening for the Democrats who are running against them to 98 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: attack them. And interestingly enough, a number of the folks 99 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 1: they're described how they're Democratic opponents were staying silent on 100 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 1: impeachment that it's clear Schumer sent out the word just 101 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 1: stay out of impeachment and will drag it on. But 102 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: the third point I made, and this is an important 103 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: point that on the question of do we need additional witnesses, 104 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: most of that's focused on John Bolton. There's a point 105 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:40,920 Speaker 1: that there's been so much talking and yabbering it gets 106 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: lost and it's really important, which is in the House. 107 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: John Bolton went to a district court and he said 108 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: he was willing to testify, and he asked a district 109 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: judge what should I do because the White House has 110 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: told me not to, the House wants me to, and 111 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: the House of Representatives affirmatively went to the district court 112 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:02,479 Speaker 1: in writing right and said we don't need John. They 113 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 1: withdrew their request. It wasn't a big already got seventeen 114 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:08,799 Speaker 1: other people do. They never subpoenaed him, and they withdrew 115 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 1: their requests. They said we're not asking for him, and 116 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 1: so I put it out. I said, look, I understand 117 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: for senators they're agonizing and the media will beat up 118 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:17,479 Speaker 1: at on you, and said, don't you really want to 119 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: be fair and call them. If they wanted to call 120 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: John Bolton, they could have tried, and they decided they 121 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 1: didn't need his testimony. This is not about John Bolton 122 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 1: or any one witness this is about delay it and 123 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: engage in a fishing expert. Now, you said that right 124 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: now the Democrats are losing. Do you mean they're losing 125 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: in terms of the arguments they're making. Do you mean 126 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 1: they're losing politically because they do not have the votes 127 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: to remove the president? What's the relationship between the two? 128 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: All of the above, all of the above look on 129 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 1: substance that they haven't they haven't proven their case in interest. 130 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: I think a lot of the American people have checked out. Yes, Um, 131 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,479 Speaker 1: you know, I got to admit, like, like today, the 132 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: number of if it weren't the middle of the afternoon, 133 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: I'm not sure half the Senate wouldn't have been napping 134 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 1: at their desks. This has gone on already a long time. Yeah, 135 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 1: and there's no there there. You know, it was interesting, Michael. 136 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: I was thinking, so we've heard both sides opening, We've 137 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 1: heard twenty twenty four hours was allocated to each And 138 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 1: after hearing it, I was thinking, all right, well, what 139 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 1: are the what are the main arguments the Democrats had 140 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: of what did the president do wrong? Right? So twenty 141 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:32,239 Speaker 1: four hours into you know, a few bullet points, Yeah, 142 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,119 Speaker 1: and as I can see it, they're five things, five 143 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: big things that the Democrats say the President did wrong. 144 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: Here's the crazy irony, every single one of them. It 145 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: is objectively true. The Democrats have done worse. So let's 146 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 1: go through them what at a time. So one thing 147 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: they say the President did wrong was delay aid to Ukraine. 148 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: So they've talked a lot about that, and so they had, 149 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 1: you know, all these moments of you know, people are 150 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: dying in Ukraine and it's terrible. What is disputed, yes, 151 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: the President paused aid to Ukraine. But what is undisputed 152 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: is that Barack Obama never gave lethal military aid defensive 153 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: weapons to ukra But we're all told in the news. 154 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 1: I've seen in the news that Obama gave aid to Ukraine. 155 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 1: Obama gave blankets and mries meals. And in fact, look, 156 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 1: I was sitting on the House floor when President Poor 157 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: shank of, the President of Ukraine came and addressed us, 158 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: and he said explicitly, he said, blankets are fine, but 159 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: you can't stop a Russian tank with a blanket. So 160 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: what you're saying, though, is that the Obama administration did 161 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:39,679 Speaker 1: not give lethal aid, meaning aid they could use in 162 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: the aggression against Russia. But the Trump administration did give 163 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:48,440 Speaker 1: The Trump administration gave Javelin missiles which can take out 164 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: a Russian tank. So you want to talk about, like, 165 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: all right, bad thing? Number one delaying military aid to 166 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 1: Ukraine on any measure, Obama much not even a little bit, much, 167 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: much worse than Trump. Trump has been much stronger on Ukraine. 168 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 1: How about number two? Quid pro quo. Lots of discussion 169 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 1: about quid pro quo on the president. There's conflicting witness testimony. 170 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: There's there's testimony on both sides. But you know what, 171 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: there isn't a conflicting testimony on Joe Biden. Joe Biden 172 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: admitted a quid pro quote, a much more serious quid 173 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:20,319 Speaker 1: pro quo. You know what I've been calling the son 174 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:22,599 Speaker 1: of a bitch clip where he said, played it the 175 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: other night we did where he said, you know, he 176 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: threatened Ukraine he'd cut off a billion dollars in aid 177 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: unless they fired the prosecutor investigating Barismo. The natural gas 178 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:36,079 Speaker 1: company paying his son at least a million bucks a year. 179 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: So what what President Trump might have considered doing but 180 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: didn't actually do in the end? Did she didn't do it? 181 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 1: It doesn't matter whether there was a quid pro quote 182 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: for Trump doesn't matter legally. But if they think quid 183 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: pro quos are bad, they have Joe Biden admitting it, 184 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 1: right and being proud of the quid pro quote unequivocally 185 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: and a much more serious quid pro quo. All right. 186 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: How about number three? The cover up. That's a word 187 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: the Democrats have said over and over again, cover up, 188 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 1: cover up, cover up, because the White House asserted executive privilege. Well, 189 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 1: you know what, there has been a cover up of 190 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 1: all of the evidence on Joe Biden and Hunter Biden 191 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: and Barissma. The House blocked all those witnesses. They didn't 192 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: want to hear any of it. They didn't talk about 193 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: it at all. You didn't give me they and they 194 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: keep saying you Trump couldn't even investigate. They want to 195 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:27,559 Speaker 1: cover this up because look, Joe Biden is their front runner. 196 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,560 Speaker 1: They don't want the evidence that and it's important to 197 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:34,599 Speaker 1: note this is not about Hunter Biden corruption. This is 198 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 1: about whether Joe Biden, right, the vice president, was involved 199 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 1: in corruption. But number four, investigate the rival, that's another thing. Okay, 200 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 1: So he was trying to investigate his political right all right, 201 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 1: So let me get this straight. You're saying it's inappropriate, 202 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:55,719 Speaker 1: it's wrong to want to investigate your political rival. Well, 203 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: you know who did that. Got named Barack Obama in 204 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:02,840 Speaker 1: twenty sixteen, who launched a major investigation of Donald Trump, 205 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: sent in spies, put wire taps on the Trump campaign, 206 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 1: had the FBI and DOJ lying in fabricating evidence, as 207 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:13,439 Speaker 1: the Inspector General laid out. So if you're saying, I 208 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: just feel like for a Democrat, Okay, So you're saying 209 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 1: it's wrong to investigate your political rival like Barack Obama did. Because, 210 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: by the way, regardless of how Democrats would justify the 211 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 1: Obama administration spying on the Trump campaign, we know that 212 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 1: it happened. We know that that occurred. So regardless of 213 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: how you could justify or attack President Trump's asking for 214 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: an investigation in Ukraine, the same principle, any measure, Obama 215 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: did it more than Trump on any measure, Like if 216 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 1: you put them side by side, who did more to 217 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 1: investigate their rivals? It's not gosh, it's kind of close. 218 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,360 Speaker 1: It's kind of a little bit. It's Trump said, how 219 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: come no one's investigating this thing? Look, Joe's bragging about 220 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 1: fire in the prosecutor. I mean, that was it, and 221 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: all appearances, Ukraine didn't do anything with Obama. They got 222 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: wire taps and did an investigation. They I mean they 223 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 1: went all in. And then number five cheating on an election. 224 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: So that's the big you know, it's interesting. I bet 225 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: you the Democrats a focus group this, yeah, because cheat's 226 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 1: a very simple word. It's a word people can understand, 227 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 1: you know it since the first grade. And they talk 228 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 1: about that's what Trump was trying to do is cheat. 229 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 1: The irony is what is this impeachment all about. It's 230 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: about wanting to cheat on the twenty twenty election. Because 231 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: the Democrats have been real candid if they think if 232 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 1: the American people have the chance to vote for President Trump, 233 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: they will, so this is all about get him off 234 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: the ballot. So if you're just assessing who's trying to 235 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: cheat to win an election, abusing the constitution to try 236 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: to impeach a president because you're afraid the voters will 237 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: elect him re elect him, that is election fraud. Cheating 238 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,040 Speaker 1: at the highest level. And so all five of the 239 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:03,959 Speaker 1: things they say the president did wrong, I don't think 240 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: the president did wrong. But if those things are wrong. 241 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: I don't know how you can coherently argue anything other 242 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 1: than the Democrats are much much worse on all five 243 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 1: and on that fifth point, on the cheating point, the 244 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 1: Democrats have actually been consistent on this. You heard Adam Schiff, 245 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: the House Impeachment Manager, the other day, he said, we 246 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: can't let this go to the ballot box in November 247 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: because we're probably gonna lose. And you had Democratic Representative 248 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: Al Green in twenty seventeen say we need to impeach 249 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,959 Speaker 1: this president because if we don't, I fear he may 250 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:41,200 Speaker 1: be reelected. Look, you remember Freshman Representative to Lead coming 251 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 1: in to be sworn in, was caught on video screaming 252 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: we're going to impeach the m effort Rush. She didn't 253 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: abbreviate it. That's literally like coming in what she promised 254 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 1: to do. So then, as you say, it's pretty clear, 255 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 1: I think for any any of the ten Americans who 256 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,200 Speaker 1: have been watching all of these endless impeachment hearings, and 257 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 1: for the many many Americans who are listening to this show, 258 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: it seems pretty clear how the argument stands. So there 259 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 1: is actually one guy locked in a grain silo with 260 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 1: clips on his windows on his eyelids, and it's like 261 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: a clockwork orange somewhere someone is playing every moment of 262 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: this impeachment trial, and and it's just it's just probably 263 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: scientist experience, and it is cruel and unusual punishment without 264 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: a question. Is there a chance though, because it is 265 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 1: clear that you will see any Democrats break from their 266 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: party and vote to acquit the president in this trial. 267 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: So I think there is a chance. I think the 268 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: most likely would be a Joe Mansion, Okay, Democrat from 269 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 1: West Virginia. I remember he voted for Brett Kavanaugh, that 270 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: probably got him reelected. What about Diane Feinstein from California, 271 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 1: who just just reports were coming out that she may 272 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: acquit Look, who knows there there was La Times reported 273 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: that today, but then she issued a hasty retraction. Look, 274 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: I think a I'd be pretty surprised if she voted 275 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: to a quit. I think the so far the Democrats 276 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: have been party line on everything, so you haven't seen 277 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 1: any cracks in their facade. I think you could see 278 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: a Christen Cinema, the new Senator from Arizona. I could 279 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: see a universe where she votes, she votes to acquit um. 280 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: It's not impossible that Doug Jones votes to acquit the 281 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: Democrat from Alabama, although I don't think he will, but 282 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: it's not impossible. Why don't you think he will? Because 283 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 1: he's a Democrat in a very red state. I think 284 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 1: he realizes he's gonna lose in November, and so he's 285 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: wanting to do what Hide Hyde Camp? Remember Hide Hyde Camp, 286 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: who was a Democrat elected forth Dakota, yep. So last 287 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 1: cycle she just voted liberal on everything and went down 288 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: on lost bad, go down swinging. And I think Jones 289 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: has basically made that same call that he's gonna lose, 290 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: and so he wants to go back and be lionized 291 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: in liberal circles. Speaking of efforts that seem futile but 292 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 1: are probably worth the shot. You did not spend your 293 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 1: whole day in the Capitol, you, I noticed, headed over 294 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: to the White House, where a new plan for peace 295 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: in the Middle East was being announced. Can you, I mean, 296 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: obviously you can if physically, But is it appropriate now 297 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: for you to tell a little bit about what happened? Sure? 298 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: And actually, as it so happens today, I went to 299 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: the White House not once, but twice. So I started 300 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: the day with a meeting in the White House with 301 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: with Jared Kushner, who's been the President's point person on 302 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: the Middle East peace process, and a number of other senators, 303 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 1: and he was talking to us about the substance of 304 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 1: their proposal and walking through it, and so it was 305 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: essentially a prebrief of here's what's going to be announced. 306 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: And I gotta say the White House did a remarkable 307 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 1: job of keeping the details quite quiet, which pretty much 308 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: nothing in this town as quiet. So for them to 309 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: do that was well done. And then I left and 310 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: went to a couple of meetings, and then I came 311 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: back at noon for the big announcement and President Trump 312 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: was there, but all so Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin nat 313 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:04,639 Speaker 1: Yahoo was there and they had a big announcement at 314 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 1: the White House, and you know, it was interesting. I 315 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 1: think there were several several points that were powerful. Number 316 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 1: one was just the contrast that President Trump is standing 317 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:19,280 Speaker 1: up and announcing major efforts trying to achieve peace in 318 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:21,360 Speaker 1: the Middle East. Now that's hard, you want to talk 319 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 1: about it, really really hard. That's hard, But you actually 320 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 1: have a president who's working and trying to advance American 321 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:31,879 Speaker 1: interest and trying to support our friend and ally Israel 322 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:35,359 Speaker 1: and the contrast, the Democrats are just in this impeachment circle. 323 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 1: And by the way, at the announcement today with President 324 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 1: Trump and Piter Yahoo, you know how many Democrats were 325 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:48,119 Speaker 1: there at the announcement zero. Well, they were so busy 326 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 1: having fun at the impeachment trial. They they're focus just 327 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 1: on partisan politics. And listen, the deal, the terms of 328 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,720 Speaker 1: it are still not I don't know all the details 329 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: of the terms. Is there any sense of what this 330 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 1: deal includes. So what Jared walked through and some of 331 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 1: what the President Netnyah who walked through also is it 332 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: is a deal that gives Israel a great deal. So 333 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: it recognizes the legitimacy of settlements that Israel has had 334 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: settlements in what's called Judean Samaria, which which are beyond 335 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 1: the lines what are called the nineteen sixty seven lines, 336 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,720 Speaker 1: and so that for Israel's a big deal. Israel was 337 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:27,679 Speaker 1: attacked and in nineteen sixty seven expanded the map of 338 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 1: Israel in a defensive war where they were defending their borders. 339 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: And this map recognizes israel sovereignty over land that they've 340 00:18:36,119 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: been in for a long long time. But that's a major, 341 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: a major acknowledgement of Israel's rights of sovereignty. It also, 342 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: with regard to Jerusalem, keeps the core city of Jerusalem undivided. 343 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:56,639 Speaker 1: That is a big deal. So there's some proposals that 344 00:18:56,640 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: would divide Jerusalem between the Palestinian Arabs and the Israelis. 345 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 1: Now this proposal keeps a portion of East Jerusalem, but 346 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 1: it's outside of what has technically been the city, so 347 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:09,480 Speaker 1: the Palestinians could call what they had Jerusalem, but it 348 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: preserves what is actually Jerusalem to be an Israeli city, okay. 349 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 1: But it also ensures that that that Muslims have access 350 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 1: to the Mosque in Jerusalem and to the Holy Site, 351 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:29,200 Speaker 1: so it is it. But at the same time it 352 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: sets up conditions for creating a Palestinian state, a two 353 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:38,879 Speaker 1: state solution, okay. And it also promises fifty billion dollars 354 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:43,239 Speaker 1: in investment capital from Arab countries primarily. And but it's 355 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 1: a lot of capital into the new Palestinian state. Oh well, 356 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:50,360 Speaker 1: that's a pretty pretty nice carrot stick there to try 357 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: to bring people to the table for peace. And look 358 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,920 Speaker 1: that the devil is in the details. Palestinian authority refused 359 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 1: to show up, so you didn't have the leader of 360 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: the Palestinians there, but he was invited, he was he 361 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: wouldn't take the phone call. So so this deal, while 362 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,880 Speaker 1: it may be a step forward, probably is not going 363 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: to go anywhere. Well maybe maybe not. I'll say the 364 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 1: Trump administration did a couple of things that are pretty impressive. 365 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,959 Speaker 1: Number One, they got the support not only of Benjamin 366 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 1: net and Yahoo, the Prime minister, but also Benny Gantz, 367 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: who is his principal rival, and the two of them, 368 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:25,399 Speaker 1: they keep having election after election to determine who's going 369 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:28,119 Speaker 1: to be the next prime ministrate, and they're from different parties, 370 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: they're different, very different politically, and both Neat and Yahoo 371 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:33,680 Speaker 1: and Gantz supported this proposal. So the two big sides 372 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 1: in Israel are are behind this deal. That's a big 373 00:20:37,359 --> 00:20:40,960 Speaker 1: deal that the Trump administration was able to unify the 374 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 1: kind of range of Israeli politics that that was not easy. 375 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 1: And secondly, we've seen some early signs of support from 376 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:51,480 Speaker 1: the Arab world for this proposal. There were three different 377 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 1: Arab ambassadors, a Muslim ambassadors who were there at the announcement, 378 00:20:56,840 --> 00:21:00,200 Speaker 1: which which is a big deal as well, and part 379 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 1: of the White House's strategy. It is to try to 380 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 1: get broad support so that the Palestinians feel more pressure 381 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 1: to come to the table. Now, the White House has 382 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 1: been very open that the details are negotiable, but you 383 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: got to sit down and start negotiating, and you know 384 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 1: my view and a two state solution, there are a 385 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: lot of Republicans who insist there's got to be a 386 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: two state solutions. A two state solution would be a 387 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 1: state of Israel and then a new state for Palestine. Yeah, 388 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,359 Speaker 1: and that used to be kind of Republicans were adamant. 389 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 1: Democrats were adamant about it, but a lot of Republicans 390 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: were adamant about it. I had been pretty vocal in saying, 391 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 1: who the hell are we to tell them how they 392 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: should resolve their security issues. That's a decision. Israel's a 393 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 1: sovereign nation. They should decide. If Israel thinks a two 394 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 1: state solution is a good idea, that that's fine by me, 395 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 1: but we shouldn't force it down their throat. I was 396 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: encouraged today because you had net and Yahu and Ghants 397 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 1: supporting it. You had Israel pretty enthusiastic about it. If 398 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: they make that determination, I think we should be supportive 399 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:07,960 Speaker 1: of that. And I will say, listen, I'm I have 400 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 1: long been pessimistic that Middle East piece is going to 401 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,120 Speaker 1: burst out anytime soon. I don't think the Palestinian authority 402 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,480 Speaker 1: wants peace, it would seem that way. I think they 403 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 1: still refuse to recognize even that Israel has a right 404 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: to exist as a Jewish state, and they continue to 405 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,480 Speaker 1: embrace terrorism. I mean, they are in a unity government 406 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:31,719 Speaker 1: with hamas a terrorist organization. But even though I'm pessimistic 407 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 1: that because I don't think the Palestinians want peace, what 408 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 1: I have urged the Trump administration for three years is 409 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:39,640 Speaker 1: because they've been very focused on trying to produce Middle 410 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:43,640 Speaker 1: East piece. You're more likely to get it if you're 411 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 1: unequivocal in saying we stand with Israel. We're not going 412 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 1: to waffle, We're not going to blow in the wind, 413 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:50,920 Speaker 1: We're not going to be Oh. I don't know, because 414 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: if that's the case, the Palestinians have demonstrated for decades, 415 00:22:54,359 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: they'll play world opinion, They'll attack us in the New 416 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,880 Speaker 1: York Times and let the US flat back and forth, 417 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 1: and I will say the President has agreed with what 418 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:06,159 Speaker 1: I've said. So, for example, the Trump administration moved our 419 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:09,879 Speaker 1: embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Republican and Democratic presidents had 420 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 1: promised to do that. Nobody did it. Trump did it. 421 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:16,159 Speaker 1: That was a big deal. The President Trump recognized the 422 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:19,280 Speaker 1: Golon Heights in the north of Israel as part of Israel. 423 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 1: I had urged the President to do that. The President 424 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: did it. And the President pulled out of the Iran 425 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: nuclear deal, right, big big deal. The Defense Department and 426 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:33,920 Speaker 1: State Department both opposed that. I made the case vigorously 427 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 1: the president. He did it, and I do think the 428 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,639 Speaker 1: dynamic we are now negotiating from a position of strength 429 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:42,920 Speaker 1: where the President can say we stand with Israel, but 430 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 1: will facilitate a discussion for peace. And you know what, 431 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: Palising and authority didn't show up, but the Democrats didn't either. 432 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,080 Speaker 1: Quite a comparison, and it would seem, you know, obviously 433 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 1: the White House has some credibility on this issue. So well, 434 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:00,960 Speaker 1: we may not, unfortunately, resolve Middle East peace tonight. We 435 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:03,800 Speaker 1: can and in our last moment or two here get 436 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 1: to a couple of questions in the mailbag right from Jay, 437 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:13,160 Speaker 1: who breaks the tie if the impeachment vote on witnesses 438 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: comes in fifty fifty, so that's a complicated question. It's 439 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 1: it's not entirely clear from the rules, So it's not 440 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 1: I would think there'd be a simple answer in the 441 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 1: Constitution or something. Well, so there's normally a simple answer. 442 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:30,320 Speaker 1: So for most Senate votes, the vice president breaks the tie. 443 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:34,159 Speaker 1: The problem is the vice president isn't presiding, right, so 444 00:24:34,359 --> 00:24:36,360 Speaker 1: you don't have and by the way, you wouldn't want 445 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 1: the vice president presiding in the impeachment of the president 446 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 1: gets impeached, he literally gets the job of president. So 447 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: so that would be the framers knew what they were 448 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:49,160 Speaker 1: doing when they didn't put the vice president in the chair, right, Um, 449 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 1: that'd be an interesting discussion if the vice president cast 450 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:56,159 Speaker 1: the tie breaking Well, sorry but sorry, tell you're out here. 451 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 1: You know my office is square. It's not nearly as 452 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 1: interesting as yours. U. Look, it is somewhat ambiguous. If 453 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:08,399 Speaker 1: you go back to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the 454 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:12,159 Speaker 1: Chief Justice who was presiding there, tried to cast a 455 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 1: couple of tie breaking votes. Then the Senate pressed back 456 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 1: on him, and so it's it's unclear. Well, it is 457 00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:20,640 Speaker 1: possible the Chief Justice could try to cast a tie 458 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:25,200 Speaker 1: breaking vote, but there is ambiguity and uncertainty. We also 459 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 1: adopted a scheduling rule, the language of which I think 460 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:32,440 Speaker 1: permits both sides to argue they win in the case 461 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 1: of a tie. If we get to a tie, it's 462 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 1: bad news. The best the best thing to do is 463 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 1: don't have any ties, get win by fifty one vote, 464 00:25:39,119 --> 00:25:41,720 Speaker 1: right right. As with so many aspects of this though, 465 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:46,960 Speaker 1: it does seem we may be in uncharted territory. Question 466 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 1: from Matt Senator, where did you get your boots? And 467 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:54,280 Speaker 1: where can I get a pair? So these are are 468 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 1: Lukeze boots. They're made nel Paso, Texas, and I'm a 469 00:25:57,440 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 1: huge fan of Lukez. I have a bunch of pairs 470 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 1: of Lucas and it's got the Senate the Senate seal 471 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: on the front, but then on the back. I don't 472 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 1: know if the camera can get it or not. But 473 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:12,200 Speaker 1: there's what's called the come and Take It flag, which 474 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 1: in Texas it was. It was pivotal for Texas independence. 475 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 1: When Texas was part of Mexico, part of the Nation 476 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: of Mexico. Santa Ana was the dictator in Mexico, and 477 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,960 Speaker 1: he issued an order to the town of Gonzales, a 478 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:30,719 Speaker 1: little town in South Texas. He said, hand over your 479 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:34,440 Speaker 1: guns and hand over the cannon that guards the city. 480 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 1: And the Texians, that's what they called Texans back then, 481 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:41,240 Speaker 1: was Texians, the Texians and Gonzales. They made a flag 482 00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 1: and they hoisted above the city and it had a 483 00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:46,960 Speaker 1: picture of the cannon and underneath it the legend come 484 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:50,080 Speaker 1: and take it. And that was the beginning of the 485 00:26:50,119 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 1: Texas Revolution where it we fought a revolution, had the Alamo, 486 00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 1: but ultimately won at San Jacento, and Texas became our 487 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:00,119 Speaker 1: own nation. For nine years we were the Republic of 488 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 1: Texas and independent nation, and then we joined the United States. 489 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: So that's why I wear that flag. I love Texans 490 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: and I love Texians too, but I love Texans. Last 491 00:27:08,119 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 1: question is for me from by the way, A quick aside. 492 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: Heidi and I go to church at First Baptist Church 493 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:17,160 Speaker 1: in Houston. Something our pastor said a few years ago, 494 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:22,560 Speaker 1: do you know our church was founded by American missionaries 495 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: abroad m because it was founded when they were the 496 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:30,199 Speaker 1: Republic of Texas, and they were literally American missionaries who 497 00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 1: had gone to the foreign country of Texas as missionaries 498 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 1: and they started a church, the First Baptist Church of Houston, 499 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:39,680 Speaker 1: and so in our charter it was it was American 500 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:43,639 Speaker 1: missionaries visiting us that and look, their activities clearly worked, 501 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:45,720 Speaker 1: and you know they're also part of the country. Last 502 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 1: question before we go from Steve for me, Michael, what's 503 00:27:49,359 --> 00:27:53,159 Speaker 1: it like talking to the Zodiac Killer. It is great 504 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:57,120 Speaker 1: talking to the Zodiac Killer because true crime podcasts tend 505 00:27:57,160 --> 00:27:59,080 Speaker 1: to do very well on the charts, and I think 506 00:27:59,119 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 1: that may explain some of our success, remaining even today 507 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:06,080 Speaker 1: the number one podcast in the country. Look, I will 508 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:08,680 Speaker 1: say so, I remember campaigning and I want this. One 509 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 1: young guy held up a sign that said, are you 510 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:15,199 Speaker 1: the Zodiac Care? And I just I stopped and asked him. 511 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:18,720 Speaker 1: I said, sign if I was, would you really want 512 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 1: to bring that sign here today? That I'm sufficiently terrified 513 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:23,760 Speaker 1: that I have to end the show. Make sure to 514 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:27,920 Speaker 1: get your mailbag questions in the Senate will now be 515 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 1: asking questions of the legal teams, and we want to 516 00:28:31,359 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 1: pass your questions along. So tweet it at Ted Cruise 517 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: hashtag Verdict and you can also email it in mailbag 518 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:41,720 Speaker 1: at verdicts podcast dot com. I'm Michael Knowles. This is 519 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 1: Verdict with Ted Cruz. This episode of Verdict with Ted 520 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:55,080 Speaker 1: Cruz is being brought to you by Jobs, Freedom and 521 00:28:55,240 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 1: Security Pack, a political action committee dedicated to supporting conservative causes, organizations, 522 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 1: and candidates across the country. In twenty twenty two, Job's 523 00:29:04,720 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 1: Freedom and Security Pack plans to donate to conservative candidates 524 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 1: running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.