DOES OUR PANEL OF PROFESSORS THINK THE PRESIDENT GOT IT RIGHT ON THE STATE OF OUR UNION?

STAY TUNED • IVORY TOWER IS NEXT.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WELCOME TO IVORY TOWER.

I'M BARBARA FOUGHT FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY.

JOINING ME TONIGHT ON THE PANEL ARE: ANIRBAN ACHARYA, FROM LEMOYNE UNIVERSITY, CHAD SPARBER, FROM COLGATE UNIVERSITY, KRISTI ANDERSEN FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, AND NINA MOORE, FROM COLGATE.

JOE BIDEN CAME BEFORE CONGRESS THIS WEEK IN THE ANNUAL TRADITION OF THE STATE OF THE UNION.

AFTER STEPPING THROUGH A NUMBER OF CONCERNS AND PLANS HE ENDED WITH WHAT HE CALLED FOUR BIG THINGS WE CAN DO TOGETHER: BEAT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, END CANCER, MORE EFFORTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND BETTER SUPPORT FOR VETERANS.

AND CHAD, I'M WONDERING, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE SPEECH?

>> I THINK THAT THE KINDEST REVIEW YOU COULD OFFER WAS TO FOCUS ON THE ONITIVE OF THE SPEECH AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF THE SPEECH BUT IN THE MIDDLE WAS THE HOT GARBAGE AND THIS IS A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT.

SUBSTANTIVELY, MY PROBLEM WAS THE CONTRADICTIONS THAT HE HAD IN THE SPEECH.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES WITH OUR ALLIES, REESTABLISHING OUR RELATIONSHIPS WORLDWIDE AND THEN TALKS ABOUT TAXPAYER MONEY NEEDS TO BE SPENT ON AMERICAN JOBS, AMERICA FIRST.

IT'S THE SAME SORT OF AMERICA FIRST POLICY HIS PREDECESSOR HAD.

HE SENSES INFLATION IS A PROBLEM BUT THEN HE WANTS TO REVIVE, BUILD BACK BETTER IN SOME KINDS OF WAYS AND UNLESS THAT IS MET WITH COMMENSURATE TAX INCREASES, IT WILL BE INFLATIONARY.

HE TALKSES ABOUT INCREASED COMPETITION IN PRODUCT MARKETS EXCEPT PHARMACEUTICAL WHERE HE THINKS WE SHOULD HAVE A GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY OVER THE PURCHASE OF THE DRUGS, NOT THINKING ABOUT THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO IN THE MIDDLE, I WAS PRETTY UPSET WITH A LOT OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> YEAH, I SOMEWHAT AM SYMPATHETIC TO THE VERY DIFFICULT POSITION THAT HE WAS IN.

I MEAN HE WAS NOT GOING TO THE PODIUM LIKE MOST OTHER PRESIDENTS GOING TO GIVE THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

HE WAS GOING IN VERY MUCH UNDER THE WATER AND, UNLIKE HIS PREDECESSOR WHO WAS SIMILARLY SITUATED AND DIDN'T CARE, BIDEN ACTUALLY DID REALIZE THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HIM TO CHANGE HIS TUNE, TO SORT OF CHANGE HIS APPROACH.

THE POINT OF EMPHASIS AND UNFORTUNATELY, CHAD, I THINK HE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF BRAGGING RIGHTS THAT HE COULD GO IN THERE WITH.

HE DID NOT HAVE MUCH SUCCESS ON HIS SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN PROMISE, WHICH WAS BUILD BACK AMERICA.

BUT HERE'S WHERE THINGS GET MY GOAT.

THAT WAS BECAUSE OF PROGRESSIVES, WHO BASICALLY HAVE BACK BURNERRED HIS BUILD BACK BETTER.

HE WAS ABLE TO, I THINK, RIGHTLY BRAG ABOUT THE AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN BECAUSE IT DID PUT MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF AMERICANS AT A TIME THAT IT NEEDED, THAT THEY NEEDED IT, BUT THE OTHER THING THAT HE TALKED ABOUT, THE MIDDLE PART THAT YOU SAID WAS GARBAGE, WHERE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, I READ THAT SPEECH BEN THIS MORNING AND SO MUCH OF IT IS ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.

AND AGAIN, WHEN YOU ARE AT A 35% APPROVAL RATE, YOU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE FUTURE TO GET THINGS ON COURSE.

>> ANIRBAN?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO UNIFY.

>> HE WAS TRYING TO UNITE THE CENTER AND PROGRESSIVE PARTS EFFORT DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND SPEAKING OF THE HARD GARBAGE, 15 NOBEL PRIZE ECONOMISTS WERE IN FAVOR OF THE HARD GARBAGE A FEW MONTHS AGO.

IT'S NOT THAT THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND YOU KNOW, CONCENTRATING ON DOMESTIC POLICIES.

I'M NOT SURE WHETHER HE WILL BE A ONE-TIME PRESIDENT OR NOT.

I HOPE HOPE NOT.

I MIGHT NOT THINK THAT IS THE CASE.

BUT ONE THING THAT WAS GOING GOOD POLITICALLY FOR HIM IS THAT HE STRESSED THE COVID RECOVERY, RIGHT?

AND IT'S A HUGE CONTRAST WITH THE LAST PRESIDENT WHO WAS ASKING THAT WE SHOULD INJECT LIGHT IN OUR VEINS FOR GOD'S SAKE.

ONE GOOD THING IS NOW IF SOMEBODY HAS AN INFECTION, THEY CAN GO TO A PHARMACY AND GET AN ANTIVIRAL PILL FOR FREE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT HE IS KIND OF SAID THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

SO I THINK IT WOULD-- IT'S GOOD FOR HIM TO SHOWCASE HE MIGHT BE THE PRESIDENT WHO TAKES US OUT OF THE PANDEMIC QUOTE UNQUOTE.

I'LL LET KRISTI... >> I'M INTERESTED IN WHAT CHAD SAID ABOUT HIS WANTING-- HIS BEING JUST LIKE TRUMP IN TERMS OF AMERICA FIRST.

AND I THINK THAT HIS ARGUMENTS ABOUT MAKING THINGS IN AMERICA AND, YOU KNOW, NOT BEING QUITE SO DEPENDENT ON WORLDWIDE SUPPLY CHAINS, AND SO ON, IS NOT UNREASONABLE GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED.

HE SAID THERE WAS ONE THING HE SAID THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN TRADE.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT-- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS AS UNREASONABLE AS I WOULD NORMAL GENERALLY HIVE THAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT WHEN TRUMP WAS MAKING THOSE ARGUMENTS.

>> SO IT'S INTERESTING.

I THINK SPECIFICALLY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LIKE THE SEMICONDUCTORS... >> RIGHT.

>> AND I THINK THAT YES, WITH SOME OF THE COVID DISRUPTIONS, WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT TOO MUCH RELIANCE UPON FOREIGN SUPPLIERS FOR DIFFERENT KEY COMPONENTS OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING PROJECTS IS A PROBLEM.

AND SO GETTING SOMETHING LIKE SEMICONDUCTORS ON BOARD WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOR INFLATION-- RELIEVING INFLATIONARY PRESSURES AS WELL.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THE LINE IS.

THE LINE THAT HE USED IS WHEN WE USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO REBUILD AMERICA, WE ARE GOING TO BUY AMERICAN, BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT AMERICAN JOBS.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WAYS THAT WE CAN REINVIGORATE CERTAIN AREAS OF MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH WOULD, YOU KNOW, PROTECT US AGAINST THESE, YOU KNOW, INTERNATIONAL CRISES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT IS NOT -- THAT ARE NOT UNREASONABLE.

>> YEAH, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING KRISTI, AND I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING-- I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS WHEN HE GOT TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER, RIGHT, BECAUSE ANIRBAN, YOU WERE SAYING THAT THE PANDEMIC WAS ADDRESSED.

BUT THE PANDEMIC IS PRETTY MUCH BEHIND US AND AMERICANS HAVE A SHORT MEMORY, RIGHT?

>> I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

>> AND WHEN I SAY IT'S BEHIND US, I MEAN IN TERMS OF BEING ON THE MINDS OF AMERICANS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT POLLS, THE PANDEMIC IS NOT AT THE TOP.

IT'S INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY.

AND HE SPECIFICALLY SAID HERE ARE THE WAYS THAT I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH INFLATION.

UNLIKE REPUBLICANS, I'M GOING TO BUILD FROM THE BOTTOM UP BY LOWERING COSTS.

BUT THEN HE PIVOTS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ON THE IN THE DISTANCE.

I THINK AMERICANS NEED TO HEAR WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ALMOST $5 A GALLON FOR GAS PRICES.

>> I THINK WE DO AGREE ON THE ISSUE THAT PROGRESSIVES ARE THE PROBLEM.

I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING YOU SAID.

>> THEY'RE GETTING MY F SO I'LL SAY MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.

>> ONE THING ON THE ONE-TERM PRESIDENT LINE THAT I HAD.

I'M NOT EVEN CONVINCED HE IS EVEN GOING TO GET THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

WE GO BACK TO THIS STYLE THING AND COGNITIVE DECLINE AND THESE THINGS.

I MEAN THAT-- THE SPEECH RENEWED SOME OF MY CONCERNS, BOTH IN HIS... >> REALLY?

>> IN HIS PREPARED REMARKS WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT HAVING A BETTER PLAN TO FIGHT INFLATION, LOWER YOUR COSTS AND NOT YOUR WAGES.

HE IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING WAGES ARE A SIGNIFICANT COST OF PRODUCTION BUT THE GAPS WHERE HE SAID PUTIN MAY CIRCLE KYIV WITH BUT WILL NOT GET THE HEARTS OF THE IRAN PEOPLE.

I UNDERSTAND HE HAS A HISTORY OF STUTTERING, AS I'M DOING NOW.

BUT... >> AND AS WE ALL DO, AND I REALLY THINK THE HEAVY DOMESTIC POLICY ISSUES, FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES THAT HE IS FACING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FAIRLY INSIGNIFICANT.

I WILL SAY THOUGH HOWEVER THAT WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, DEFUND THE POLICE AND ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, SHORING UP SECURITY AT THE BORDER AND WHAT WAS THE OTHER THING?

PUSHING FOR VOTING RIGHTS.

I FIND HIM AT FAULT FOR BEING LATE TO THAT PARTY.

HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT IT AND TAKING A POSITION ONCE OR TWICE, BUT PUSHING THAT FOR SOMETIME.

SO WHETHER OR NOT HE IS GOING TO GET RE-ELECTED... >> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT VOTE LITTLE RIGHTS?

>> YEAH VOTING RIGHTS BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE WHO WERE OUT FRONT PUSHING FOR IT WERE SAYING WE NEED MORE.

>> WELL ONE OF THE THINGS THE PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT AND IN FACT STARTED HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH WAS THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

I WANT TO TURN TO THAT NOW.

I MUST ADMIT IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO WATCH THE VIDEO COMING OUT OF THERE • SEEING THE DESTRUCTION AND THE PAIN.

THE CONCERN ABOUT THE NUCLEAR PLANT.

I MUST NOTICE WE ARE RECORDING THIS FRIDAY MORNING SO THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT HAPPEN BY THE TIME YOU SEE THIS.

BUT ANIRBAN, PEACE TALKS HAVEN'T GONE VERY WELL.

WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE?

>> I MEAN THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO FIRST STATE THAT IN TERMS OF MORALITY, WE SHOULD, YOU KNOW, JOIN OUR ANTIWAR COMRADES AROUND THE WORLD TO DECRY ALL FORMS OF IMPERIAL AGGRESSION, IN THIS CASE OF RUSSIA IN THIS INSTANCE.

AND WITH THE REPORTS FILTERING THROUGH THE FOG OF WAR, IT SEEMS IT IS NOT GOING WELL FOR RUSSIA AT ALL.

UKRAINE HAS MOUNTED A REMARKABLE RESISTANCE, AND, YOU KNOW, THIS OLD INFINITY OF CHANCE IS GOING TO BOG RUSSIA DOWN AND I SEE REPORTS OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

IT IS TOO EARLY TO CALL PUTIN A WAR CRIMINAL SAYS BIDEN.

A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR AND SOME LOCAL CEASE FIRE TALKS HAVE BEEN CONTINUING WITH MACRON AND PUTIN, AND TRAVELING TO NATO.

SO PUTIN IS GETTING MORE AND MORE ISOLATED.

ALL THE BOOKINGSES IN BELARUS AND RUSSIA HAVE BEEN IT CANCEL.

I DIDN'T THINK PUTIN WOULD GET THE RESISTANCE FROM THE GLOBAL CORPORATE SECTOR AND FROM STATE AND COMMON CITIZENS AROUND THE WORLD, THAT HE IS GOING TO FACE.

>> AND AND THIS IS A CREDIT TO BIDEN, I THINK, THAT THE WESTERN ALLIANCE HAS BEEN REALLY PULLED TOGETHER.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED AT THE EXTENT TO WHICH GERMANY HAS TAKEN A POSITION AND PUSHED BACK AT RUSSIA.

I ALSO THINK PUTIN MUST BE SURPRISED AT THE LEVEL OF PROTESTS IN RUSSIA.

>> YEAH.

>> I AM VERY, YOU KNOW, PROUD OF THE PEOPLE IN RUSSIA WHO ARE, AT GREAT RISK TO THEMSELVES, PUSHING BACK AND DISAVOWING PUTIN'S ACTIONS.

>> 3,000 PEOPLE GOT ARRESTED IN RUSSIA BECAUSE OF RESTING.

>> AT LEAST.

MANY, MANY.

>> THERE WERE SO MANY As I WANTED TO GIVE OUT THIS WEEK.

SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, NORWAY, NETHER LANDS, ELON MUSK, ALL DOING THINGS TO SUPPORT UKRAINE AND GO AGAINST RUSSIA THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE ANTICIPATED A WEEK OR TWO AGO.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE QUESTION OF WHAT TO DO MOVING FORWARD, THE OIL ISSUE IS AN INTERESTING ONE.

WE ARE STILL IMPORTING 500,000 BAIRLS OF OIL FROM RUSSIA PER DAY.

THE REASON WE ARE DOING THAT HAS TO DO WITH OUR COASTS, OUR OIL PRODUCTION HAPPENS IN GULF STATES BUT WE DON'T HAVE PIPELINES FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE WEST COAST TO TRANSPORT IT THERE AND THERE IS THE JONES ACT THAT MAKES IT PROHIBITIVELY STUPID TO SHIP OUR OIL BY BOAT FROM STATE TO STATE.

>> WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> IT'S A REGULATION THAT SAYS STATE TO STATE SHIPPING HAS TO BE ON AMERICAN-MADE SHIPS AND THERE IS LIKE A SIZE ELEMENT TO IT.

CATO INSTITUTE HAD SOMETHING ON IT-- IT CAME UP-- NEVER MIND.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

BUT THE POINT IS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO GET OFF OF THAT RUSSIAN OIL.

IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

IT IS GOING TO BE UNPOPULAR.

BUT THERE IS A MUCH LONGER DISCUSSION ABOUT LONG-TERM TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND ENERGY POLICY THAT WE SHOULD BE HAVING.

>> YEAH, CHAD, I THINK YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, THAT WE NOW HAVE TO PIVOT TO THINK ABOUT OUR LONG-TERM GAS AND OIL POLICY.

AND I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE INSTANCES WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING OF A CLASH BETWEEN OUR ASPIRATIONS REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY AND THE REALITY OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS.

I THINK ANOTHER PLACE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE A SIMILAR CLASH IS DOWN THE ROAD WHERE WE BEGAN TO SEE THE IMPACT OF THE SANCTIONS NOT ON PUTIN AND THE OLIGARCHS BUT IN FACT ON THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE.

THE RUBLE IS DOWN 30%.

RUSSIAN MARKET VALUE DOWN 40%.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO FEEL THE PAIN MORE THAN THE WEALTHY.

SO WE ARE GOING TO FIND OURSELVES BALANCING OUR INTEREST IN HUMANITARIANISM AND ALSO THE NECESSITY OF NATIONAL SECURITY.

>> IN TERMS OF A COUPLE OF UNDERREPORTED NEWS AND THEN IT'S GOOD THAT YOU CAN HEAR FROM THIS "IVORY TOWER" IS THAT UKRAINE IS PUTTING OUT A LOT OF GRAPHIC VIDEOS AND TELEGRAMS SHOWING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS DEAD AND SO ON.

AND THIS IS GOOD.

THIS IS GOOD P.R.

FOR UKRAINE, BUT AS SEVERAL LEGAL SCHOLARS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW HAVE ARGUED, THIS IS ALSO PROBLEMATIC ACCORDING TO GENEVA CONVENTION.

ACCORDING TO THE GENEVA CONVENTION, GOVERNMENT AT ALL TIMES SHOULD PROTECT PRISONERS OF WAR FROM INSULT AND PUBLIC CURIOSITY.

SO WHAT I WANT TO SAY THAT UKRAINE NEEDS TO STAY ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW ON THIS END OF THE SPECTRUM SO THAT, YOU KNOW, IT HAS ITS BETTER UNDERSTAND WHEN IT GOES TO I.C.C.

IN THE FUTURE.

AND THEN ONE MORE THING I WOULD SAY THAT, AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT THIS, I'M TAKEN ABACK AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE DUPLICITY AND KIND OF FLAGRANT RACISM IN REPORTING THAT WE ARE SEEING.

CHARLIE DIAGATA SAID THIS IS MORE CIVILIZED COUNTRY, BRINGING IN THE UNCIVILIZED TROPES.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD GRIEVE FOR EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD, REGARDLESS OF THEIR PASSPORTS, AFRICAN AND INDIAN STUDENTS ARE BEING BEATEN UP.

THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE AND DISAPPOINTING AND WE SHOULD BE STANDING FOR ANYBODY WHO IS FLEEING THE WAR.

>> IMPORTANT POINT.

LET US TURN TO THE THIRD TOPIC.

WE NOW KNOW THE NOMINEE FOR THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, SHE BRINGS EXPERIENCE AS A PUBLIC EXDEFENDER.

SHE CLERKED FOR THE JUSTICE RETIRING AND IS NOW ON THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT IN D.C. HOW EASY OR HOW HARD THIS IS NOMINATION GOING TO BE TO GET THROUGH THE SENATE?

>> WELL, IT WAS INTERESTING TO READ ABOUT BIDEN'S PROPOSED BLACK FEMALE NOMINEES.

THEY WERE ALL EXTREMELY WELL QUALIFIED AND INTERESTING PEOPLE.

OF THE THREE, WOULD I HAVE PICKED HER, I THINK.

PARTLY SHE IS THE PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT TO DINNER WITH OF THE THREE.

BUT I'M NOT SURE IT WILL BE TOO HARD.

I MEAN I'M NOT SURE HOW, YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE, YOU KNOW, LAID OUT THE ARGUMENT THAT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION APPOINTMENT ACTION.

>> WILL SHE GET REPUBLICAN VOTES?

>> I THINK SHE WILL.

MITT ROMNEY HAS SIGNALED HE IS OPEN TO TALKING WITH HER.

SENATORS LISA MERKOWSKI AND SUSAN COLLINS VOTED FOR HER TO BE APPOINTED TO THE D.C.

CIRCUIT COURT.

AND I THINK THAT HER, WHAT I READ ABOUT HER DECISIONS AND HER DECISION MAKING, DOESN'T ALLOW-- AND THE THINGS SHE HAS HAD TO MAKE DECISIONS ON, DOESN'T PROVIDE A LOT OF FODDER FOR REPUBLICANS TO SAY SHE'S RADICAL.

IN FACT, SOME RETIRED REPUBLICAN JUDGES AND REPUBLICAN LAWYERS, INCLUDING DON MAGANN WHO IS A TRUMP COUNSEL, HAVE SAID THINGS LIKE, AND THIS IS A QUOTE FROM ONE OF THE JUDGES I THINK.

"NO SERIOUS PERSON CAN QUESTION HER QUAL IF I DAYSES AND TO MY MIND, HER PHILOSOPHY IS WELL WITHIN THE MAINSTREAM."

THESE ARE COMING FROM REPUBLICANS.

>> I THINK KRISTI IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT; THAT THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A HUGE BATTLE HERE.

I DO EXPECT THAT REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO VOTE AGAINST HER BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

BUT IN ADDITION TO-- >> SUPPOSED TO DO?

>> AS REPUBLICANS, THEIR BASE-- YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A BASE THAT BELIEVES THAT DONALD TRUMP HAD THE ELECTION STOLEN FROM HIM.

SO FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVES, THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

AM I GOOD NOW?

SO I'LL FINISH THE POINT.

>> AND MITT ROMNEY MAY BE THE ONLY ONE... >> NOT ONLY MITT ROMNEY BECAUSE LISA MERKOWSKI, SUSAN COLLINS BUT ALSO LINDSEY GRAHAM, WHO ACTUALLY HAS COME OUT AND SAID THAT SHE IS THE DARLING OF THE LEFT.

BUT HERE IS THE REAL CUE THAT I LOOK AT.

MITCH McCONNELL, WHO HAD THESE WONDERFUL SMILING PICTURES WITH HER SAID ALSO, AS YOU DID, THAT SHE IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE.

BUT HE ALSO SORT OF, WITH A SLIGHT TO THE BRETT KAVANAUGH CONFIRMATION HEARINGS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO WRITE WHAT SHE WROTE IN HER YEARBOOK WHEN SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I THINK ANOTHER PLUS THAT THIS DEMOCRAT NOMINEE BRINGS TO THE TABLE THAT MOST OTHERS DON'T IS THAT SHE HAS A PAST AS BOTH A FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, SHE COMES FROM A FAMILY OF COPS, RIGHT?

HER BROTHER IS A COP, HER TWO UNCLES ARE COPS.

AND THE DRUM ROLL, THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE IS SUPPORTING HER, RIGHT?

SO ALL OF THOSE LAW AND ORDER FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL BACK HER.

I'LL JUST SAY TWO OTHER QUICK THINGS.

THAT SHE IS COMING FROM THE D.C.

CIRCUIT COURT, WHICH IS SORT OF THE USUAL ROUTE FOR THOSE WHO MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT AND SHE HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED THE POWER OF EXERCISING STRATEGIC VIOLENCE BY NOT ANSWERING QUESTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO TRIP HER UP.

MITCH McCONNELL KEPT PUSHING HER TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT SHE WAS FOR OR AGAINST COURT PACKING.

SHE SAID MUM'S THE WORD.

>> I WANTED TO PICK UP ON THAT LINDSEY GRAHAM THING BECAUSE I THINK WHAT LINDSEY GRAHAM IS DOING RIGHT NOW IS INTERESTING POLITICAL THEATER.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN BIDEN ANNOUNCED THE SPECIFICITY OF, YOU KNOW, IT HAS TO BE A BLACK WOMAN, A LOT OF CONSERVATIVES, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT REASONABLY, COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT PROCESS.

BUT NOT LINDSEY GRAHAM.

LINDSEY GRAHAM WAS LIKE OH NO, IT'S FINE.

I'LL HELPFULLY SUGGEST A NAME FOR YOU.

YOU MIGHT SUGGEST HE WAS REAL IN THAT BUT WAS PROVIDING COVER FOR HIMSELF TO ATTACK ANY NOMINEE THAT WASN'T WHAT HE WANTED.

AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE VOTED FOR HER NINE MONTHS AGO IN THE COURT.

SO I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF UGLINESS BUT OF COURSE SHE IS GETTING THROUGH.

IT'S NOT EVEN A QUESTION.

>> I MEAN I THINK SHE IS GOING TO GET THROUGH.

AND I AGREE, LIKE IN THE COURT'S 233 YEAR HISTORY, WHAT I'M READING, PUBLIC DEFENDER HAS NEVER BEEN NOMINATED OR CONFIRMED.

THE ONLY INTERESTING THING I FOUND OUT, WHEN SHE ALSO WORKED IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE IN MORE MORRISON AND FOSTER AND REPRESENTED THE CATO INSTITUTE IN THE AMICUS BRIEF.

THAT'S A LIBERTARIAN OUTFIT TO WORK FOR.

SO IT MIGHT BE THAT MANY REPUBLICANS ACTUALLY MIGHT SUPPORT HER.

BUT I JUST SAY ONE THING THAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT SHE IS ALSO UP AGAINST A LOT OF RACISM AND SEXISM.

FOR EXAMPLE, TUCKER CARLSON, WHO I CALL THE RACIST CHIEF OF THE FOX NETWORK.

HE HAD THE GALL TO ASK HER HER DISCOURSE.

IT WAS SO PLATE APARTMENT.

GOOD FOR HER.

I HOPE SHE GETS THE NOMINATION.

>> WHAT DID SHE SAY IN RESPONSE?

>> SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

TUCKER CARLSON WAS ASKING AND USING NAZI PHRASES LIKE MORON.

>> IF I WERE HER, WOULD I HAVE RESPONDED BY SAYING I GOT MY B.A.

AT HARVARD AND MY LAW DEGREE AT HARVARD WHERE YOU WERE NOT ADMITTED TO.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND ASK FOR HIS S.A.T.s.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE BECAUSE IT'S TIME TO OPEN UP THE GRADEBOOK AND SO ANIRBAN, YOUR F PLEASE.

>> TO THE CONSPIRACY THERAPIST FROM COLORADO.

REGISTERING ANGER TOWARDS THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE TRUCKER LEAD FREEDOM CONVOY QUOTE UNQUOTE, SHE TOLD FOX NATION, I PRAY FOR UKRAINE AND WISH THEM THE BEST BUT WE ALSO HAVE NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH WHO NEED FREEDOM AND NEED TO BE LIBERATED AND WE NEED THAT RIGHT HERE AT HOME AS WELL.

WITH STATEMENTS LIKE THESE, IT WON'T BE A SURPRISE IN CANADA WANTS TO PAY FOR A WALL.

>> CHAD, YOUR F, PLEASE.

>> MY F GOES TO INDIA FOR FAILING TO CONDEMN RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH MILITARY TIES, BUT IF INDIA REALLY WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FIVE EYES INTELLIGENCE SHARING COMMUNITY WITH THE U.S., U.K., NEW SEE LAND AND AUSTRALIA, IT REALLY SHOULD BE REBUKING RUSSIA.

>> AND KRISTI.

>> I'M GIVING AN F TO OTHER REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES MARJORIE TAYLOR GREEN WHO PARTICIPATED AT AN AMERICA FIRST POLITICAL ACTION CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA ORGANIZED BY A HOLOCAUST DENIER WITH TIES TO WHITE SUPREMACY WHERE AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CROWD PRAISED HITLER AND CHEERED REPEATEDLY FOR PUTIN.

>> INBELIEVEABLE.

>> NINA.

>> I'VE GOT A SPLIT F FOR SUGGESTING THAT REPUBLICANS SHOULD VOTE AGAINST KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, THEY SHOULD NOT BUT THE OTHER GOES TO PROGRESSIVES WHO SOMEHOW THOUGHT IT WAS PRUDENT TO OFFER A RESPONSE OR REBUTTAL BECAUSE THE LEADER OF THEIR OWN PARTY.

THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL LIKELY WIN REELECTION IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS BUT THEY WILL LIKELY DO SO AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> AND SOMEONE DID SOMETHING WELL I HOPE THIS WEEK.

ANIRBAN.

>> WELL, MY A GOES TO ALL THE ANTIWAR DEMONSTRATORS AND ACTIVISTS AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAVE GAT GATHERED AND UNITED IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE UKRAINE AND AGAINST RUSSIA IMPERIAL AGGRESSION INCLUDING THE UKRAINIAN RUSSIAN BERAID BERATING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS TELLING THEM TO PUT SUNFLOWER SEEDS IN THEIR POCKETS SO FLOWERS WOULD GROW AFTER THRE DIED IN BATTLE.

SAY NO TO WAR.

>> SUNFLOWERS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

>> SHE STARTED THIS USING SUNFLOWER SEED AS A SYMBOLISM OF ANTIWAR.

>> CHAD.

>> IF YOU RANK U.S. CITIES ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION WITH UKRAINIAN AN SEAS SEAS TRI.

ROCHESTER, SYRACUSE, BINGHAMTON APPEAR IN THE FIRST 15.

YOU MIGHT NOTICE THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT THE BASE OF THE HILL.

IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE, IT HAS A LINK TO OFFERING HUMANITARIAN AID TO UKRAINE.

IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED, VISIT THAT SITE AND GIVE.

>> A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH.

>> IT IS.

>> AND KRISTI, YOUR A.

>> I'M GIVING AN A TO THE FACT THAT THE LONG AWAITED LONG ARGUED OVER REPLACEMENT OF 81 IN DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE SEEMS TO BE ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

THE D.O.T.

RECENTLY AGREED WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS THAT THE ROUND ABOUT SLOWING TRAFFIC NEEDED TO BE MOVED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THEY'VE DONE THAT AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROJECT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE UNDER WAY THIS FALL.

>> NINA.

>> MY A GOES TO THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, WHICH IS NOW OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES FROM POLICE STOPS.

FOLKS HAVE TALKED ALL OF THE REASONS WHY THIS IS GOOD.

IT WILL REDUCE RACIAL BIAS, IT WILL, IN MY OPINION, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FREE UP POLICE POWER FOR FOCUSING ON SERIOUS CRIMES.

SO KUDOS TO PHILADELPHIA FOR DOING THAT.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF MANY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

LET'S HOPE THAT OTHER CITIES FOLLOW SUIT.

>> LET'S OPEN THAT OTHER CITIES FOLLOW SUIT I.

HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK AND A DIFFICULT WEEK FOR SOME OF US TO BE WATCHING WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD.

BUT WE THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO OUR CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE TOPICS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

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