Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794

These days we content creators have to post advisories and disclaimers. This podcast is not a list of reasons to ‘build the wall’. It does not include 5 reasons to impeach Trump. Learn more in Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794.

Trump Blew It In 2018

Especially relevant is the fact that less than a month ago the so called conservative base was furious at the president and the republican party for taking a ‘shellacking’ in the midterm elections.

It Is Trump’s Fault

Furthermore I did several podcasts on the midterms explaining polling showed the GOP did not have to lose congress.

Raise The Stakes To Win

Therefore it is most noteworthy that the president opened the new year by raising the stakes. First a government shut down. Then threats to declare an national emergency.

What’s the issue?

A campaign promise by Donald Trump to solve what he has described as a crisis on the border.

Consequently, the solution he hit upon? ‘Build A Wall‘.

First of all. the president failed to get a republican congress to fund a wall. Now he has redoubled his efforts to get a democrat house to fund the wall, which they say they won’t. Enter the shut down. Enter the specter of a ‘National Emergency‘.

Outrage Controversy and Emotional Outpouring

If outrage and controversy over the shut down wasn’t enough, Trump is raising the stakes with threats to declare a national emergency. Under an emergency the military can build what is now described as a steel barrier by the president. Or at least he thinks so. Is he right? Find out in Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794.

The Sushi Shutdown

After a late evening sushi happy hour, I came to my studio to tell the truth about this whole episode. It’s not about the shut down or even a national emergency. Trump is doing what Roy Cohn taught him to do many years ago. Make threats. Throw tantrums. Demand. Raise the stakes until the other guy gives you what he wants. Above all force the opposition to talk about what you want to talk about. Control the media battle space. Use the ‘bully pulpit‘.

Throwing Blood In The Water To Shore Up The Base

In conclusion, Trump does this again and again. And everyone takes the bait, hook line and sinker.

Every time.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors and WhiteTail Builders

Sushi-Shutdown-Emergency-Bully-Pulpit-Bob Davis Podcast 794

2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717

Continuing to run down the toss up races in the 2018 midterm elections for the US House. The big story line? A democrat wave will wrest control of the house from the republicans. In 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717.

From The Midwest Across To The Atlantic Coast

Kansas and Nebraska. East of the Mississippi to Iowa. Minnesota which has some of the closest House races in the country. Illinois in the northern suburbs, and the Land of Lincoln’s southern tip. Across to New York, Georgia, New Hampshire and more.

All About Political Junkies

The second of two parts of a mega podcasting effort for political junkies and subscribers who just want someone to objectively run down all the races in one spot. We’ll challenge some of the myths and tell you why some pundits say this year is a game changer. In 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717.

These days the biggest problem with the media is its penchant for trying to predict the future. Americans are ill served because of this problem. Expectations become truth. Final outcomes turn out to be much harder to predict. Democrats learned this the hard way in 2016’s presidential race.

Republicans Defending The Most Toss Up Seats

Especially relevant is the fact that as a political agnostic, I’m not afraid to tell you there is almost no polling to speak of, despite all the efforts to predict the outcome of 435 House Races. To be sure, the republicans are defending most of the toss up seats.

Why Democrats Believe This Will Be A Wave

Moreover after spending two days poring over election data and reading about local issues and personalties, I can tell you why democrats believe this will be a ‘wave’ election. Do their hopes have any basis in reality? Well. Listen and find out. In 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717.

With the Midterms 7 months away, anything can happen. Moreover primaries in some races will determine the tactical situation in many of the House districts in question. Both parties are furiously trying to raise enough money to compete. Will they be able to commit the resources they’re famous for in the special elections that grabbed all the headlines lately?

All Politics Is Local

That’s the old saying. What are the local issues, personalties and unique characteristics of places we don’t think very much about unless its our home? How many of those out of the way places may have an election that determines the future of our country? Check out 2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717 and let’s talk. For the same kind of analysis on the US Senate Toss Up races, go here.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

2018 House Toss Up Races-Story Lines-Predictions-Part 2-Podcast 717

Government Shut Down Aversion Diversion-Happy Days Here Again-Podcast 695

The shouts. Screams. Lamentations. Analysis on the battle of the century! A government shutdown that lasted half a working day turned into a national hysteria in Government Shut Down Aversion Diversion-Happy Days Here Again-Podcast 695.

Aversion That Turned To Diversion

Especially relevant is the fact that with all the commentary about the pain and suffering from all sides of the so called political divide, adding to the melee would be spitting into the wind. Now that the great shutdown of 2018 is over, we can talk about how silly it was.

Thank God For Football Playoff Games

These days I wonder if there is any better proof of a national delusion than an entire weekend of screaming, shouting and worthless details about the shutdown that wasn’t. Furthermore the details about the numbers of federal employees in each state left penniless and wandering through the streets. In Government Shut Down Aversion Diversion-Happy Days Here Again-Podcast 695.

Surprise! Both Sides Blame Each Other

Democrats sniffed this was the ‘first time in history a party in control of all three branches of government shut it down‘. The week before the House voted to keep the government open on a straight party vote with no democrats on board.

In the Senate, shockingly some democrats voted for the continuing resolution and some republicans against it. Finally while the White House labeled this the ‘Chuck Schumer Shut Down‘ and Senator Schumer called it ‘The Trump Shutdown’, it was pretty much business as usual in Washington DC. Find out why in Government Shut Down Aversion Diversion-Happy Days Here Again-Podcast 695.

Guess What? This Is How Government Actually Works

The stumbling blocks? A house version that allowed so called ‘Dreamers’ to stay in the US, and bring additional family members for one. The Children’s Health Insurance Program for another. In conclusion, there is the issue of additional spending in a continuing resolution rather than a straight up budget bill.

Get Over It…Even JFK Used Foul Language

In the end the president got what he wanted. The immigration legislation will be taken up separately at a later date. What about the shock of a president allegedly using strong language? This podcast has audio of three former presidents using very foul language on issues ranging from military spending to a type of slacks preferred. Listen for it in Government Shut Down Aversion Diversion-Happy Days Here Again-Podcast 695.

Say Goodbye To Rugged Individualism

Finally, this whole episode makes on fact painfully clear. The famous rugged and self sufficient American doesn’t exist. The businessman and farmer are just as dependent on those checks from the government as any welfare queen. Threaten to turn it off and we’re thrown into fits.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Ciro 3D Motorcycle Products and Accessories

Government Shut Down Aversion Diversion-Happy Days Here Again-Podcast 695