Allen Jackson: Shutdown Showdown

October 20, 2025 | 21:37

Bob Cusack joins Allen Jackson to discuss current events.

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Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Shutdown Showdown | October 20, 2025
  • Well, good evening and welcome to nashville.
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  • I'm alan jackson.
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  • If a picture is worth a thousand words,
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  • Then this is all we need to say
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  • About the political times we're in.
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  • First, a rare photo from cairo, egypt 30 world leaders
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  • Demonstrating their support
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  • For president trump's peace plan for the mideast versus this,
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  • The democratic leader in the u.s.
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  • Senate,
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  • He's trying to defend
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  • What's been called the schumer shutdown, claiming
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  • That his leverage gets stronger every day.
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  • The government shutdown goes on
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  • Even while people are not working and not getting paid.
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  • So while president trump was signing a plan to stop a war.
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  • The senate democratic leader was taking a one man victory lap
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  • For shutting down the us government.
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  • Well, our guest tonight
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  • Is the veteran political editor, bob cusack.
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  • Welcome back, bob.
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  • Thanks for having me, allen.
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  • The gap between chuck schumer and president trump is as wide
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  • As the eye can see.
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  • The senate republican leader, john
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  • Thune, had this to say about why it's happening.
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  • And chuck schumer saying this is getting better for us
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  • Every day.
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  • That's not somebody who wants to see this get resolved.
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  • And they are pandering
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  • To the left
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  • Wing special interest groups out there who have demanded this
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  • And demanded this showdown
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  • With the president of the united states.
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  • Bob, it's hard to imagine why anyone would think
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  • A shutdown is a winning strategy.
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  • Do you agree?
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  • Yeah, i would.
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  • I mean, i've covered
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  • A lot of shutdowns, but the way schumer is handling
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  • This one is a bit head scratching
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  • Because democrats, as republicans have noted,
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  • Have supported this type of bill,
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  • A so-called clean bill, many times, 13 times before.
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  • But democrats want their health care provisions in there.
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  • And, of course, republicans want their,
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  • Certain things that they want in the bill.
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  • But they're saying, no, we just let's fund the government.
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  • And this is interesting.
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  • I mean, this is the democrats are the party of government, and
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  • And the government is going to be shut down, i think, for,
  • 00:01:56.741 --> 00:01:59.678
  • For quite some time.
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  • I think it could go, to halloween or maybe thanksgiving.
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  • This could be the longest one ever.
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  • As speaker johnson has said, i agree with him.
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  • Or cairo's a long way from washington,
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  • But do you think the leadership that the president has shown
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  • Internationally will eventually have an effect on
  • 00:02:13.592 --> 00:02:16.261
  • At least some of the democrats
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  • Who are holding up the funding bill?
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  • Possibly.
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  • I mean, democrats thought that they were going to be able
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  • To pressure trump into folding,
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  • And in, in prior shutdown.
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  • Some of that strategy has worked.
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  • It's not going to work here.
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  • Trump is flying high, after his peace deal in the middle east.
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  • And, certainly some democrats, including,
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  • Senator fetterman from pennsylvania,
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  • Have sided with, republicans
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  • On this that don't agree with their leadership.
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  • You know, even without the additional health care spending,
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  • The latest budget still adds $2 trillion
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  • To a national debt that's closing on $38 trillion.
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  • The committee continues to make cuts,
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  • And the president says there will be more cuts.
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  • But is there anything on the table
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  • That will not just slow the spending,
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  • But help us genuinely shrink the debt?
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  • I don't think, i don't hold your breath.
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  • Alan, i mean, when you think about
  • 00:03:12.517 --> 00:03:14.085
  • Compromises between the two parties
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  • Over the last couple decades, 25 years, what happens?
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  • One side gets what it wants
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  • And the other side get what it wants.
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  • And what happens is the debt goes up, as you mentioned.
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  • We're going to soon be headed for 40 trillion.
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  • So unless congress gets serious,
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  • And deals with entitlement programs
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  • Like medicare and medicaid and social security, medicare
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  • And social security headed for bankruptcy,
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  • We're going to have a big debt problem.
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  • But it's not going to be tackled anytime soon.
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  • You know, there was a time and it's been a season
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  • When congress actually worked together to solve problems.
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  • Do you have any hope that we're going
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  • To return to that kind of a functional approach
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  • To congressional activity?
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  • I don't i don't think so.
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  • It's just a basically a game of shirts and skins right now.
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  • And i
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  • Don't think
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  • The parties are in a situation
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  • Where they can actually work together,
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  • Because it's become so polarizing.
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  • And you're
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  • Right, ten, 15 years ago, it was a different situation.
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  • You know, as usual, it's really hard
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  • To sort the truth from the spin on the shutdown.
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  • But isn't the heart of it the fact that the democrats
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  • Are trying to extend government
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  • Health care at the higher limits
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  • That were put in place for the covid crisis
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  • And for some additional health
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  • Care for people who are here illegally.
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  • Well, without a doubt, it's a complicated issue.
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  • And definitely subsidies went up during covid.
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  • Democrats say, hey,
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  • No, we're not paying for money for for illegal immigrants.
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  • But in their proposal, they're counterproposal to republicans.
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  • They didn't explicitly say that.
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  • And that's what republicans have said.
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  • Well,
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  • If you weren't going to put the money in there
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  • For that reason, then why didn't you say explicitly?
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  • And it also, when you're dealing with emergency treatment,
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  • Experts have said, yes,
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  • There would be some money for illegal immigrants
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  • In there for health care.
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  • Well, let's stay on the topic of people who are here illegally.
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  • The white house says that there have been
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  • A record number of arrests.
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  • It's up 250%.
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  • And that crime is down about 20%
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  • Have been cleaned up. washington
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  • And now working on memphis, los angeles and chicago.
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  • The president has raised
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  • The idea of moving it on san francisco next.
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  • You would think that keeping people safe
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  • Would be a winning agenda in any political race.
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  • But schumer and others continue to push back.
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  • Do you see any political benefit for the democrats
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  • As they fight the plans for a safe america?
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  • Not in the big picture.
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  • I don't, and it's interesting.
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  • Chuck schumer
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  • Has this fictional couple from long island
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  • That he's written about in his book,
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  • And he acknowledged, after the 2024 election,
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  • That that fictional couple that's kind of an independent
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  • Minded couple voted for trump y because of crime.
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  • This is what schumer said.
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  • So, this is a winning issue for republicans.
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  • And i think democrats who are going to,
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  • Go after trump on this.
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  • I think it's a losing issue for them.
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  • And that's why the white house has been so aggressive on it.
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  • They're it's confusing to me.
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  • I'm certainly an outsider when it comes to dc.
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  • But with the last election results
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  • And the move towards the center,
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  • It seems the democrats have moved even further left.
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  • You know, are they just ignoring the trend from the public?
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  • What is driving that shift?
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  • Allen, i've been baffled.
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  • You know, we've seen both parties after elections
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  • When they lose and both parties have lost big time, wave
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  • Elections, over the last few decades.
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  • What they do is they analyze why they lost.
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  • I haven't seen a lot of, introspection
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  • From democrats of why they lost the 2024 election.
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  • I keep hearing from,
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  • Kamala harris and other democrats
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  • Like nancy pelosi saying, well, we only
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  • We only
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  • We picked up
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  • One seat in the house, but they didn't win the house
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  • And they didn't win the presidency.
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  • And they haven't come up with a winning strategy yet.
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  • They're still flailing.
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  • And it's been a while since trump won a second term.
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  • It is, but there's a lot more to discuss.
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  • Can you stay for another segment?
  • 00:07:07.952 --> 00:07:09.754
  • Absolutely.
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  • All right.
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  • Well, if you want to jump in on this conversation
  • 00:07:11.789 --> 00:07:13.024
  • With bob cusack, you can log on to aj now.com.
  • 00:07:13.024 --> 00:07:16.294
  • Send me an email.
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  • We can use your ideas for our future shows.
  • 00:07:17.428 --> 00:07:20.398
  • I'll be right back.
  • 00:07:20.398 --> 00:07:28.005
  • I'll be right back.
  • 00:07:28.005 --> 00:07:32.451
  • We're back
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  • Now with the veteran political editor, bob cusack.
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  • I'd like to ask about a couple of off year races, beginning
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  • With the one in your state of virginia.
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  • The democrats have been setback with the public release
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  • Of some very damaging text from their candidate
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  • That said he wanted to put two bullets
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  • In the head of his opponent.
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  • I know the text were from three years ago,
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  • But he hasn't dropped out of the race.
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  • What does the race look like now?
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  • With just a few weeks to go?
  • 00:07:55.942 --> 00:07:58.377
  • It's a close race.
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  • It's closer than i expected.
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  • And, as you mentioned, the jones, controversy is
  • 00:08:01.213 --> 00:08:05.785
  • Is really hurting abigail spanberger, who is
  • 00:08:05.785 --> 00:08:08.888
  • Who is a democrat in the race.
  • 00:08:08.888 --> 00:08:10.590
  • She is winning right now.
  • 00:08:10.590 --> 00:08:12.692
  • And virginia has gotten more blue over the years.
  • 00:08:12.692 --> 00:08:15.595
  • Now, remember, like virginia and new jersey,
  • 00:08:15.595 --> 00:08:17.930
  • I know we'll talk about new jersey a little bit.
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  • Democrats have to win both of these.
  • 00:08:19.365 --> 00:08:21.000
  • These are blue states for the most part.
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  • New jersey has gone a little more red, but it's still blue.
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  • And democrats have to sweep these races.
  • 00:08:26.172 --> 00:08:28.941
  • But at the same time, in virginia,
  • 00:08:28.941 --> 00:08:31.444
  • You got to watch this race because spanberger has not,
  • 00:08:31.444 --> 00:08:35.181
  • Really distanced herself, i think effectively from the jay
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  • Jones controversy. and he's running for office.
  • 00:08:38.918 --> 00:08:41.687
  • He's in a tight race.
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  • And and he's dragging her down
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  • Right now that there's no doubt about it.
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  • Well, it seems like with some
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  • Of the very public expressions of violence we've seen,
  • 00:08:48.628 --> 00:08:50.930
  • That kind of rhetoric would just not be tolerated.
  • 00:08:50.930 --> 00:08:53.366
  • But they seem to be managing
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  • To sweep that under the rug for the most part.
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  • Yeah, that's another issue where i just don't understand
  • 00:08:57.870 --> 00:09:01.073
  • Why democrats and some do.
  • 00:09:01.073 --> 00:09:02.541
  • But but why can't all of them say violence is not right?
  • 00:09:02.541 --> 00:09:07.213
  • And violence is something
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  • That we condemn all the time.
  • 00:09:09.915 --> 00:09:12.618
  • And what jay jones was texting was,
  • 00:09:12.618 --> 00:09:16.389
  • Was violence and the threat of violence.
  • 00:09:16.389 --> 00:09:18.724
  • And that has,
  • 00:09:18.724 --> 00:09:20.259
  • Really dominated politics and how i think people have
  • 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:23.362
  • Soured on politics and politics in recent years
  • 00:09:23.362 --> 00:09:25.865
  • Because it's become more violent.
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  • And that's extremely unfortunate,
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  • Has led to a lot of tragedies,
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  • Including the assassination of charlie kirk.
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  • Well, the new york mayor's
  • 00:09:34.173 --> 00:09:35.174
  • Race has tightened since we last spoke.
  • 00:09:35.174 --> 00:09:37.410
  • The current mayor dropped out.
  • 00:09:37.410 --> 00:09:38.711
  • Now andrew cuomo has pulled
  • 00:09:38.711 --> 00:09:40.279
  • Closer to his socialist communist opponent.
  • 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:43.349
  • Zoran mamdani has found himself getting pressed on his negative
  • 00:09:43.349 --> 00:09:46.619
  • Comments about the mideast peace plan.
  • 00:09:46.619 --> 00:09:48.921
  • He said it offers only a glimmer of hope,
  • 00:09:48.921 --> 00:09:51.457
  • But that we've watched our tax dollars fund genocide.
  • 00:09:51.457 --> 00:09:55.294
  • Even cnn has tried to press him on giving president trump
  • 00:09:55.294 --> 00:09:58.431
  • Some credit. listen to their comment.
  • 00:09:58.431 --> 00:10:01.333
  • So at what point would you decide
  • 00:10:01.333 --> 00:10:03.102
  • That he does deserve credit for it if the genocide ends?
  • 00:10:03.102 --> 00:10:05.738
  • And i think that's something worthy to be praised.
  • 00:10:05.738 --> 00:10:07.406
  • And if the hostages are returned,
  • 00:10:07.406 --> 00:10:08.874
  • Those things together have to be done in tandem.
  • 00:10:08.874 --> 00:10:11.944
  • You know, he's getting
  • 00:10:11.944 --> 00:10:13.212
  • Tougher questions, but there are still two others in the race.
  • 00:10:13.212 --> 00:10:15.748
  • Cuomo and curtis sliwa.
  • 00:10:15.748 --> 00:10:17.650
  • So i guess
  • 00:10:17.650 --> 00:10:18.350
  • Unless one of them drops out,
  • 00:10:18.350 --> 00:10:19.418
  • The anti-socialist vote will be split.
  • 00:10:19.418 --> 00:10:22.121
  • Do you think new york city will eventually have a socialist
  • 00:10:22.121 --> 00:10:24.623
  • In charge?
  • 00:10:24.623 --> 00:10:25.925
  • Probably.
  • 00:10:26.225 --> 00:10:27.259
  • Allen and mamdani is, he's leading in the race,
  • 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:29.895
  • As you mentioned.
  • 00:10:29.895 --> 00:10:31.097
  • The other two candidates, cuomo and steve, are dividing
  • 00:10:31.097 --> 00:10:34.633
  • The anti-socialist vote.
  • 00:10:34.633 --> 00:10:36.736
  • This is a really a win win for republicans.
  • 00:10:36.736 --> 00:10:39.205
  • If if mamdani somehow loses his lead, while republicans
  • 00:10:39.205 --> 00:10:43.642
  • Can say, well, democrats at least came to their senses,
  • 00:10:43.642 --> 00:10:46.979
  • If, danny wins,
  • 00:10:46.979 --> 00:10:48.280
  • That's going to be the story of the 2025 election.
  • 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:51.250
  • Is that,
  • 00:10:51.250 --> 00:10:52.418
  • They're going to say he's the face of the democratic party
  • 00:10:52.418 --> 00:10:54.386
  • Now, and he's a socialist.
  • 00:10:54.386 --> 00:10:55.688
  • And that i mean, there are a number of,
  • 00:10:55.688 --> 00:10:58.090
  • Prominent, politicians that as we speak,
  • 00:10:58.090 --> 00:11:00.960
  • Chuck schumer is still not, endorsed, him. why?
  • 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:04.230
  • Because he doesn't
  • 00:11:04.663 --> 00:11:05.931
  • He wants to distance himself from the socialists.
  • 00:11:05.931 --> 00:11:07.833
  • So this is really dividing the democratic party.
  • 00:11:07.833 --> 00:11:09.869
  • And republicans are, are enjoying, that division.
  • 00:11:09.869 --> 00:11:14.106
  • It baffles me.
  • 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.674
  • What's the mindset of new yorkers?
  • 00:11:15.674 --> 00:11:17.610
  • I mean, giving serious consideration
  • 00:11:17.610 --> 00:11:19.211
  • To electing someone
  • 00:11:19.211 --> 00:11:19.979
  • That has no life experience
  • 00:11:19.979 --> 00:11:22.081
  • To lead the largest city in america?
  • 00:11:22.081 --> 00:11:23.949
  • That's confusing to me.
  • 00:11:23.949 --> 00:11:26.418
  • It is.
  • 00:11:26.418 --> 00:11:27.119
  • I mean, cuomo has some baggage.
  • 00:11:27.119 --> 00:11:28.420
  • There's no doubt about it.
  • 00:11:28.420 --> 00:11:29.655
  • Cuomo made a big mistake, alan.
  • 00:11:29.655 --> 00:11:32.291
  • He just thought he was going to glide, to the victory,
  • 00:11:32.291 --> 00:11:35.094
  • And he was not out there shaking hands.
  • 00:11:35.094 --> 00:11:37.563
  • He's doing that now as an independent.
  • 00:11:37.563 --> 00:11:39.532
  • But he should have been doing that in the democratic party.
  • 00:11:39.532 --> 00:11:41.433
  • He just thought he was going to win.
  • 00:11:41.433 --> 00:11:42.802
  • And new york city,
  • 00:11:42.802 --> 00:11:43.936
  • Especially parts, certain boroughs of new york city,
  • 00:11:43.936 --> 00:11:46.906
  • Are, are very, very liberal and obviously
  • 00:11:47.807 --> 00:11:50.876
  • Some of them are socialists.
  • 00:11:50.876 --> 00:11:52.011
  • And they want to see this guy win.
  • 00:11:52.011 --> 00:11:53.612
  • So this is a base election only.
  • 00:11:53.612 --> 00:11:55.748
  • Usually people
  • 00:11:55.748 --> 00:11:56.816
  • Who vote in these type of elections are hard core.
  • 00:11:56.816 --> 00:11:59.552
  • And that's usually the extreme voters.
  • 00:11:59.552 --> 00:12:01.921
  • And in new york that's extreme left.
  • 00:12:01.921 --> 00:12:03.522
  • So madani that's why he's winning in the polls right now.
  • 00:12:03.522 --> 00:12:05.925
  • Well, the new jersey governor's race is getting closer.
  • 00:12:06.992 --> 00:12:09.728
  • The blue state voters are apparently having
  • 00:12:09.728 --> 00:12:11.797
  • Second thoughts about the democratic candidate,
  • 00:12:11.797 --> 00:12:14.233
  • Mikey sherrill, after a number of
  • 00:12:14.233 --> 00:12:16.335
  • Questionable issues about her time
  • 00:12:16.335 --> 00:12:17.803
  • At the naval academy have surfaced.
  • 00:12:17.803 --> 00:12:19.839
  • Issues that she hadn't cleared up publicly.
  • 00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:22.341
  • Is the state getting purple enough
  • 00:12:22.341 --> 00:12:24.109
  • Where the republicans could take new jersey?
  • 00:12:24.109 --> 00:12:26.879
  • Well, one of the most surprising results of the 2024
  • 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:30.716
  • Presidential election was that trump
  • 00:12:30.716 --> 00:12:32.751
  • Only lost by a handful of votes in new jersey.
  • 00:12:32.751 --> 00:12:35.387
  • He's always eyed a win in new york.
  • 00:12:35.387 --> 00:12:37.122
  • That was not going to happen.
  • 00:12:37.122 --> 00:12:38.858
  • And he's talked about winning jersey.
  • 00:12:38.858 --> 00:12:40.359
  • He almost won new jersey.
  • 00:12:40.359 --> 00:12:41.660
  • So it's getting certainly more purple.
  • 00:12:41.660 --> 00:12:44.363
  • And as you mentioned, there are some controversies
  • 00:12:44.363 --> 00:12:46.665
  • With sheryl taxes
  • 00:12:46.665 --> 00:12:47.900
  • A big issue in new jersey as they've gone up over the years.
  • 00:12:47.900 --> 00:12:51.070
  • She's also made a lot of money as a member of congress.
  • 00:12:51.070 --> 00:12:53.839
  • Had to pay a fine, relatively small fine, for,
  • 00:12:53.839 --> 00:12:57.610
  • A law that prevents, insider trading.
  • 00:12:57.610 --> 00:13:01.714
  • And she's dodged some questions about how much money
  • 00:13:01.714 --> 00:13:04.283
  • She's made.
  • 00:13:04.283 --> 00:13:05.484
  • As a member of congress.
  • 00:13:05.484 --> 00:13:07.386
  • Over the last several years.
  • 00:13:07.386 --> 00:13:08.821
  • And that has hurt her.
  • 00:13:08.821 --> 00:13:10.923
  • And that's why i think this is if you're looking for an upset
  • 00:13:10.923 --> 00:13:14.260
  • In new jersey is more likely, the republican wins than
  • 00:13:14.260 --> 00:13:17.763
  • In virginia.
  • 00:13:17.763 --> 00:13:18.664
  • But again,
  • 00:13:18.664 --> 00:13:19.598
  • If democrats don't win both of these races,
  • 00:13:19.598 --> 00:13:22.067
  • It is a devastating night for democrats.
  • 00:13:22.067 --> 00:13:25.137
  • Well, if we
  • 00:13:25.471 --> 00:13:26.138
  • Will look down the road a bit,
  • 00:13:26.138 --> 00:13:27.273
  • The midterms are just about a year away.
  • 00:13:27.273 --> 00:13:29.708
  • But while the president is on a roll right now,
  • 00:13:29.708 --> 00:13:32.244
  • I wonder if the voters will remember that next november
  • 00:13:32.244 --> 00:13:34.914
  • When they're only voting for house and senate members
  • 00:13:34.914 --> 00:13:37.449
  • And not the president?
  • 00:13:37.449 --> 00:13:38.851
  • What do you think?
  • 00:13:38.851 --> 00:13:40.386
  • Yeah, it's a problem that the white house
  • 00:13:40.386 --> 00:13:42.621
  • And the president have to deal with.
  • 00:13:42.621 --> 00:13:44.223
  • He lost the house, in 2018, in his first term.
  • 00:13:44.223 --> 00:13:47.960
  • And it does have an effect
  • 00:13:48.527 --> 00:13:50.429
  • On when you don't have trump on the ballot,
  • 00:13:50.429 --> 00:13:52.431
  • When you have trump on the ballot, he usually wins.
  • 00:13:52.431 --> 00:13:55.634
  • So this is going to be a challenge.
  • 00:13:55.634 --> 00:13:57.136
  • It's going to come down a lot to what the courts say.
  • 00:13:57.136 --> 00:13:59.939
  • And these redistricting fights that both parties are engaged
  • 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:03.375
  • Right now.
  • 00:14:03.375 --> 00:14:04.576
  • I think the senate is likely to stay in republican hands.
  • 00:14:04.576 --> 00:14:08.180
  • I would i would bet on that.
  • 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:09.848
  • The house is a toss up.
  • 00:14:09.848 --> 00:14:11.350
  • That could go either way.
  • 00:14:11.350 --> 00:14:13.152
  • And again, if democrats don't win the house
  • 00:14:13.152 --> 00:14:15.387
  • Based upon historical trends, it's a rough night for them.
  • 00:14:15.387 --> 00:14:18.624
  • They should pick up at, if you look at the party
  • 00:14:18.624 --> 00:14:21.760
  • Not in power of the white house, they should pick up, 20.
  • 00:14:21.760 --> 00:14:25.230
  • Maybe 24 seats.
  • 00:14:25.230 --> 00:14:26.899
  • All they need is a handful of seats.
  • 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.634
  • So if they don't get it,
  • 00:14:28.634 --> 00:14:30.302
  • There could be some changes in democratic leadership.
  • 00:14:30.302 --> 00:14:33.305
  • I think we all remember the line.
  • 00:14:33.305 --> 00:14:34.573
  • It's about the economy, stupid.
  • 00:14:34.573 --> 00:14:36.475
  • Do you think there will be
  • 00:14:36.475 --> 00:14:37.676
  • Enough economic momentum to carry the republicans to hold?
  • 00:14:37.676 --> 00:14:41.180
  • I love that question.
  • 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.848
  • And the white house has said there are a lot of people.
  • 00:14:42.848 --> 00:14:44.683
  • And you look at polls,
  • 00:14:44.683 --> 00:14:45.884
  • They're not satisfied inflation is still there.
  • 00:14:45.884 --> 00:14:48.921
  • But the white house says 2026 is going to be a banner year
  • 00:14:48.921 --> 00:14:52.891
  • For the economy.
  • 00:14:52.891 --> 00:14:53.792
  • So, they want to make sure
  • 00:14:53.792 --> 00:14:56.228
  • That they're doing the things, whether it's deregulation,
  • 00:14:56.228 --> 00:14:59.565
  • Or certainly lowering interest rates with president
  • 00:14:59.565 --> 00:15:02.167
  • Trump has certainly
  • 00:15:02.167 --> 00:15:03.635
  • Pressured, jay powell at the federal reserve,
  • 00:15:03.635 --> 00:15:06.572
  • To lower interest rates.
  • 00:15:06.572 --> 00:15:07.806
  • They're saying the economy's going to get better.
  • 00:15:07.806 --> 00:15:10.109
  • And i think that's going to be the one to watch
  • 00:15:10.109 --> 00:15:12.578
  • Where we're going to be.
  • 00:15:12.578 --> 00:15:13.846
  • Where is the economy in one year from now?
  • 00:15:13.846 --> 00:15:16.749
  • Remember, trump just got started.
  • 00:15:16.749 --> 00:15:18.017
  • So that's what the white house says.
  • 00:15:18.017 --> 00:15:19.418
  • We just got started. give us a little more time.
  • 00:15:19.418 --> 00:15:22.421
  • Well, bob cusack, thank you for your time again today.
  • 00:15:22.421 --> 00:15:24.890
  • We all benefit from your inside washington view.
  • 00:15:24.890 --> 00:15:28.060
  • Thanks, i appreciate it.
  • 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.895
  • And in a moment, the hope that exists well beyond
  • 00:15:29.895 --> 00:15:32.798
  • The beltway.
  • 00:15:32.798 --> 00:15:33.832
  • I'll be right back.
  • 00:15:33.832 --> 00:15:42.012
  • I'll be right back.
  • 00:15:42.012 --> 00:15:46.452
  • You know,
  • 00:15:46.752 --> 00:15:47.753
  • While democrats insist on spending more than $1
  • 00:15:47.753 --> 00:15:50.156
  • Trillion of your money to expand health care coverage,
  • 00:15:50.156 --> 00:15:53.325
  • Including money for people who are here illegally,
  • 00:15:53.325 --> 00:15:55.995
  • There was a real concern
  • 00:15:55.995 --> 00:15:57.163
  • That our military community might not get paid.
  • 00:15:57.163 --> 00:16:00.533
  • Well, i'm grateful that the trump administration
  • 00:16:00.533 --> 00:16:02.268
  • Intervened and reshuffled some pentagon funds in order
  • 00:16:02.268 --> 00:16:04.937
  • To provide a temporary reprieve for active duty troops.
  • 00:16:04.937 --> 00:16:08.474
  • They didn't have to miss their first paychecks as a result.
  • 00:16:08.474 --> 00:16:11.844
  • Well, unfortunately, we as christ followers,
  • 00:16:11.844 --> 00:16:14.146
  • We have some complicity with this out-of-control
  • 00:16:14.146 --> 00:16:16.649
  • Spending that has taken place over recent years and decades.
  • 00:16:16.649 --> 00:16:20.586
  • We didn't pay enough attention to all the foolish things
  • 00:16:20.586 --> 00:16:23.022
  • That our taxpayer money was being allocated toward.
  • 00:16:23.022 --> 00:16:25.658
  • Recently, house speaker mike johnson called out
  • 00:16:26.592 --> 00:16:28.727
  • Some of these line items,
  • 00:16:28.727 --> 00:16:30.396
  • Listing a few demands the democrats are insisting on
  • 00:16:30.396 --> 00:16:33.365
  • In order to win the government shutdown.
  • 00:16:33.365 --> 00:16:35.601
  • These include 3.9 million of your hard earned tax dollars
  • 00:16:35.601 --> 00:16:39.538
  • For lgbtq plus democracy grants in the western balkans,
  • 00:16:39.538 --> 00:16:45.177
  • 2 million on organizing for feminist
  • 00:16:45.177 --> 00:16:47.713
  • Democratic principles in africa, 24.6 million
  • 00:16:47.713 --> 00:16:52.184
  • To climate resilience in honduras.
  • 00:16:52.184 --> 00:16:55.387
  • I'm grateful that speaker johnson
  • 00:16:56.122 --> 00:16:57.523
  • Has exposed these expenditures,
  • 00:16:57.523 --> 00:16:59.558
  • But i caution you
  • 00:16:59.558 --> 00:17:00.759
  • Not to look to the politicians to be the agents of change.
  • 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:03.762
  • Let's just add value to what we represent in the culture.
  • 00:17:03.762 --> 00:17:06.799
  • Be informed.
  • 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.633
  • Be engaged. speak up.
  • 00:17:07.633 --> 00:17:09.034
  • Use your voice. pray.
  • 00:17:09.034 --> 00:17:11.270
  • We are god's ambassadors in the world.
  • 00:17:11.270 --> 00:17:13.606
  • So let's be bright lights in the darkness
  • 00:17:13.606 --> 00:17:15.541
  • And have the courage to stand up for biblical values.
  • 00:17:15.541 --> 00:17:18.944
  • If we'll do that, i assure you there will be more reasons
  • 00:17:18.944 --> 00:17:22.181
  • For hope than despair.
  • 00:17:22.181 --> 00:17:24.750
  • We'll be back in just a moment
  • 00:17:25.351 --> 00:17:26.952
  • With your emails.
  • 00:17:26.952 --> 00:17:35.013
  • With your emails.
  • 00:17:35.013 --> 00:17:39.635
  • Just a quick reminder.
  • 00:17:40.102 --> 00:17:41.270
  • If you miss a live broadcast, you can always go to aj.
  • 00:17:41.270 --> 00:17:44.439
  • Now.com.
  • 00:17:44.439 --> 00:17:45.474
  • There's a full archive of our programs there.
  • 00:17:45.474 --> 00:17:48.177
  • You can watch them at your leisure
  • 00:17:48.177 --> 00:17:49.411
  • And make them easy to share with a friend.
  • 00:17:49.411 --> 00:17:51.146
  • Choose your favorite and share it with somebody else.
  • 00:17:51.146 --> 00:17:53.682
  • The more the merrier.
  • 00:17:53.682 --> 00:17:55.217
  • Thank you for your emails.
  • 00:17:55.217 --> 00:17:56.251
  • They're always a highlight.
  • 00:17:56.251 --> 00:17:57.719
  • Jonathan wrote
  • 00:17:57.719 --> 00:17:58.554
  • Thank you for standing firm on the word
  • 00:17:58.554 --> 00:18:00.222
  • And traditional values in america.
  • 00:18:00.222 --> 00:18:01.924
  • I love to watch.
  • 00:18:01.924 --> 00:18:03.492
  • Well, jonathan, i appreciate it.
  • 00:18:03.492 --> 00:18:04.693
  • Our biblical worldview, our judeo-christian values
  • 00:18:04.693 --> 00:18:08.130
  • Have brought strength to our nation,
  • 00:18:08.130 --> 00:18:09.631
  • And it's going to take courage
  • 00:18:09.631 --> 00:18:10.899
  • To live them out in this current climate.
  • 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:12.734
  • But it is worthwhile.
  • 00:18:12.734 --> 00:18:15.003
  • A viewer on youtube noted the current shutdown is nothing
  • 00:18:15.003 --> 00:18:18.941
  • More than partizan gamesmanship and the blame game.
  • 00:18:18.941 --> 00:18:22.411
  • The democrats want to continue funding things
  • 00:18:22.411 --> 00:18:25.113
  • That should not be funded.
  • 00:18:25.113 --> 00:18:26.949
  • The republicans are going to use this shutdown
  • 00:18:26.949 --> 00:18:30.085
  • To reduce the size of government.
  • 00:18:30.085 --> 00:18:32.554
  • The republicans could have prevented this
  • 00:18:32.554 --> 00:18:34.723
  • By changing the vote threshold to a simple majority,
  • 00:18:34.723 --> 00:18:37.292
  • Like they did during the trump nominee's confirmation vote,
  • 00:18:37.292 --> 00:18:40.529
  • To avoid obstruction by the debates.
  • 00:18:40.529 --> 00:18:42.564
  • Scratch.
  • 00:18:42.564 --> 00:18:43.699
  • Change the vote threshold now.
  • 00:18:43.699 --> 00:18:45.734
  • You know, i'm not sure about the vote
  • 00:18:45.734 --> 00:18:47.069
  • Threshold, but changing the words keeps me focused.
  • 00:18:47.069 --> 00:18:50.572
  • Just now learned to spell republican or democrat,
  • 00:18:50.572 --> 00:18:52.874
  • And you've given me a whole new set of vocabulary words.
  • 00:18:52.874 --> 00:18:55.911
  • But thank you.
  • 00:18:55.911 --> 00:18:57.212
  • Aubrey from texas wrote.
  • 00:18:57.746 --> 00:18:59.381
  • Why did it appear the major tv news channels
  • 00:18:59.381 --> 00:19:01.783
  • Were showing the release of palestinian prisoners
  • 00:19:01.783 --> 00:19:04.987
  • Instead of the hostages from hamas?
  • 00:19:04.987 --> 00:19:08.724
  • Well, i think there's probably several components to that.
  • 00:19:08.724 --> 00:19:10.826
  • There's a reluctance to allow president
  • 00:19:10.826 --> 00:19:12.461
  • Trump to take a victory lap.
  • 00:19:12.461 --> 00:19:14.463
  • They would rather try to remind us
  • 00:19:14.463 --> 00:19:15.797
  • That there was a genocide they've been promoting,
  • 00:19:15.797 --> 00:19:17.899
  • And not celebrate the release of people
  • 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:19.701
  • Who have been brutally held for more than two years
  • 00:19:19.701 --> 00:19:22.271
  • In tunnels beneath gaza.
  • 00:19:22.271 --> 00:19:24.506
  • It's been fashionable and chic for a bit
  • 00:19:24.506 --> 00:19:27.175
  • To be anti-semitic, even in mainstream format.
  • 00:19:27.175 --> 00:19:31.446
  • It's unfortunate,
  • 00:19:31.446 --> 00:19:33.081
  • But i think in spite of all of that,
  • 00:19:33.081 --> 00:19:34.783
  • We can all be celebrating the release
  • 00:19:34.783 --> 00:19:36.918
  • Of those hostages, their return to their families,
  • 00:19:36.918 --> 00:19:39.921
  • The joyful sights of those emotional reunions.
  • 00:19:39.921 --> 00:19:43.225
  • God is moving in the earth, and we've had front row
  • 00:19:43.225 --> 00:19:45.494
  • Seats to be witnesses to that this week.
  • 00:19:45.494 --> 00:19:47.829
  • It should bring all of us a note of hope.
  • 00:19:47.829 --> 00:19:49.698
  • God's watching over us,
  • 00:19:49.698 --> 00:19:51.199
  • And he'll bring victories
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  • In the face of horrible expressions of evil.
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  • Thank you for spending a few minutes with us,
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  • And i pray you have a good evening.
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