Category: Podcast

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This week, Mike and Kristin take on the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran, discuss what our clear policy goals should be regarding Iran, and whether those goals are feasible. Both agree that heading into a full-fledged war is a terrible idea, but while Mike argues that Trump’s pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal was disastrous, Kristin brings up that nothing before or since Trump has worked to create a stable Iran without nuclear capability and that the process needs to be rethought entirely. Mike also unpacks the House vote to force the President to come to Congress for authorization for future military action, and Kristin weighs in on Rep. Matt Gaetz’s point that Congress should have “skin in the game” when it comes to conflict and war.

Next, Kristin and Mike discuss the latest in the Senate impeachment trial saga. For just over three weeks, the Articles of Impeachment have been stalled. Mike gives Speaker Nancy Pelosi credit for her “gamesmanship”, arguing that this was a strategy to compile more witnesses, obtain more documents, and so on. They disagree on whether potential testimony from Joe Biden was a factor in Speaker Pelosi’s delay. Kristin believes that the maneuver was more political than strategic, but agrees with Mike that a fast timeline or a quick motion to dismiss aren’t in good form – on principle and in terms of politics.

Finally, Mike reminisces over the past three years since Trump’s inauguration – what he’s learned, what has changed for him, and he presents some interesting ideas that are in line with a desire to curb executive power. Kristin and Mike discuss whether political bias plays a role in this desire to curb executive power (spoiler alert: they agree that it definitely does).

Today’s show is sponsored by SaneBox – email management for any inbox. For a free two-week trial and $25 credit, go to sanebox.com/politicsguys.

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Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the escalating tensions between Iran, Iraq, and the United States in the aftermath of the U.S. killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Quasem Soleimani. Jay thinks that the Trump administration may have made the right move, but Mike is concerned that the blowback could be worse than any benefits from Soleimani’s death.

Next is a look at the Democratic presidential race, including Julian Castro’s exit from the race, whether Iowa and New Hampshire should be the first two contests, and the nearly $200 million that Michael Bloomberg has spent.

After that, Mike & Jay talk about their hopes and predictions for 2020, focusing on President Trump’s Senate trial, the Durham Report, China, Iran, and the 2020 elections.

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President Trump has been impeached but the odds are strongly against him being removed from office. Mike & Jay open the show talking about the impeachment vote, what happens next, and the potential electoral consequences.

After that, they discuss the aftermath of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s findings on the FBI’s conduct of the ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ investigation, including Horowitz’s Senate testimony and the FISA court ordering the FBI to clean up its act.

Then it’s a look at the $1.4 trillion 2020 budget, which has something for everyone but which neither Mike nor Jay are entirely happy with, followed by the House of Representatives’ approval of the USMCA trade agreement (or, as Mike likes to call it ‘CAMUS’).

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This week Trey is joined by Ken and they begin the show by exploring the Justice Department’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz’s, report into the potentiality of a political bias by the FBI. Next the pair turn to the House Judiciary Committee’s party-line vote to move forward two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the full house floor. Trey and Ken then discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement which may replace NAFTA — both its provisions and the likelihood of passage. After that the pair turns to President Trump’s recent executive order attempting to crack down on discrimination against Jewish individuals, specifically on college campuses. Finally, as is their custom, Trey and Ken cross the pond and talk Boris Johnson’s big Conservative victory in the British Parliament.

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This week Jay and Mike talk impeachment and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. For the fourth time in history the House is drafting articles of impeachment. But are the Democrats moving too quickly and does that make impeachment a tougher sell for the voting public?

Then the Guys talk about the state of the race for the Democratic nomination in the wake of Kamala Harris’s departure from the race.  Also, is a “No Malarkey” tour a stroke of marketing genius or terrible branding?

Finally, Jay plays Scrooge while Mike plays Santa in discussing proposed changes in the SNAP program and work requirements.

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Mike and Kristin start off talking about President Trump’s Thanksgiving trip to Afghanistan. The President served surprised service men and women Thanksgiving dinner at Bagram Air Force Base and made a rousing speech where he said that the U.S. and the Taliban have been involved in peace talks, which prompted discussions about whether the U.S. should remain in the region.

Next, Mike and Kristin discussed President Trump’s signing of two bills aimed at supporting the protestors in Hong Kong. The first enforces sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who commit abuses of human rights and would subject Hong Kong to an annual review. The second prohibits exporting nonlethal munitions to the Hong Kong police. Of course, China is not happy about any of this and some critics say that this could damage ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and China.

The next topic involves the aftermath of the Gallagher court martialing, pardoning, and the Navy’s decision to not allow him to retain his SEAL status. The firing of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer made headlines this week. President Trump said that the decision was about Spencer’s leadership, and that it was a long time coming. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters that Spencer had gone behind his and others’ backs to broker a deal, displaying insubordination. Spencer hit back with a fiery op-ed in the Washington Post.

Finally, with all of the interest in CBD products lately, it’s no wonder that the FDA made some headlines this week with its warnings about CBD. The FDA has decided to crack down on some companies selling the products, which brings about questions for Mike and Kristin regarding overreach, regulation in general, and the necessity to protect the public from false claims.

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