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Mike and Jay start the show talking about the story that dominated the news this week: the testimony of former FBI Director James Comey. Neither of the Guys think that Comey dropped any bombshells, though Mike believes that this is still early days in an investigation that will go on for years and cripple the Trump administration. Jay thinks it might wrap up sooner than that, but that once again, Donald Trump’s biggest obstacle seems to be Donald Trump.
After that, they talk about Trump’s pick for FBI Director. They agree that Christopher Wray is a sane and sensible choice (which is hardly a given in the Trump administration) but that the delay of nearly a month in naming a replacement for Comey is yet another example of how Donald Trump is in over his head.
A story that didn’t get the coverage it deserved this week was Kansas’ experiment with radically lower taxes, and experiment the state legislature forced conservative governor Sam Brownback to abandon this week. Mike and Jay talk about what this might tell us about the effects of deep tax cuts and the impact it might have on similar proposals both in other states and at the national level.
What Jay’s Reading
– Just Mercy. Bryan Stevenson
What Mike’s Reading
– The Sixth Extinction. Elizabeth Kolbert
Hi Politics Guys,
I’ve been listening to your podcast for almost a year. I do appreciate the calm, thoughtful approach in your commentary. This is the first time I’ve felt compelled to comment.
Your remarks on Comey’s recent testimony, in the June 11, 2017 podcast, left me disappointed and frustrated. Both Jay and Mike seem to be repeating a version of Paul Ryan’s excuse for Trump’s behavior, that he’s just new to this and isn’t steeped in the protocols of government. It was a total cop-out on Ryan’s part, and I’m disappointed that neither of you dug into that flimsy excuse. The comment that it’s just a guy thing, and the “Trumpian way” seemed to brush off any attempt to hold Trump ultimately responsible, as commander in chief. He deliberately asked everyone to leave the room before pressing Comey to drop the investigation into General Flynn. His intent will be decided by the investigations, but I’m amazed that both Mike and Jay are so willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt. My feeling is, why should Trump’s ignorance get a pass? Why is he continually held to a lower standard than an experienced politician would be expected to meet? He asked for this position, and he should face the consequences if he screws it up.
Thanks for the engaging discussions, as always. I look forward to your next podcast.
Jessica Andrews
Hilo, Hawaii
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I agree with you that ignorance is no excuse, and I’d go even further to say that I don’t believe that President Trump is as ignorant of the ways of Washington as many of his Republican apologists would like us to believe. If in my conversation with Jay that came off as me apologizing for Trump, I didn’t do a good enough job of clarifying my position. I appreciate you brining it up so that I could try to make things more clear – Mike