Bernie’s Weekly Q&A (9/1)

Nikki Haley, a DeSantis/Newsom debate, Trump's indictments, and more!

Welcome to this week’s Premium Q&A session for paying members. I appreciate you all signing up and joining me.

Let’s get started:

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Bernie, IMO the next debate should be cut down to four, Haley, DeSantis, Pence and Christie. The RNC must get serious about culling the field quickly. — lensattic

I’m with you about wanting a much smaller field, but we can’t expect the RNC to decide who makes the cut. That would cause a lot more problems than it would solve. Nobody would be happy with who they pick — and who they leave out.

Just read an opinion column in New York Times from David Brooks. He extols Nikki Haley’s performance in the debates—saying that he feels she could be the Trump alternative. Have to say I never expected to agree but I’m coming around. Frankly, pre-debate, I thought she might be the first to drop out. I’m pleasantly surprised to say since her performance, I believe she could be the ONE! I saw her on a morning talk show the day after and I was further impressed. (My imagination has even gone to Nikki Haley/Tim Scott ticket.) Your thoughts appreciated! —Phyllis C.

In my last column, Phyllis, I said I thought Nikki Haley won the debate. I like her a lot. But I’m not sure she could beat Donald Trump for the nomination. Why? Because I’m not at all sure anyone could beat Donald Trump for the nomination. No matter what he does, no matter how many times he’s indicted, even if he’s convicted, I think he’d still be in the lead. It’s called a Cult of Personality.

Bernie and John: I know you don’t like either of these guys, but what do you think was the best thing that Trump and Biden did/have-done as president? — Ben G.

From John: For Trump, it was the Supreme Court picks (good mainstream-conservative, Federalist Society judges). For Biden, it’s been his support of Ukraine (though I wish he had done more, and done it faster).

From Bernie: I’m with John, regarding Trump’s Supreme Court picks. As for Biden. instead of picking something he did, I’m going to look forward and say the best thing he could do is run again … and this time, LOSE.

Ok Bernie and John, it would appear that regardless of our opinion of the two leading presidential candidates, the polls seem to be tightening. So, at what point does the Democrat hook appear from off stage and yank Joe off the podium? Second question; seems Newsom is budding up to Hannity and rumors about that they are setting up a debate between him and Desantis. I like this and think they should lead off with the fight between Musk and Zuckerberg! Your thoughts? — Tim H.

From John: Hi Tim. Biden running for re-election has been a crazy idea to me since long before there was any tightening. I figured he would have been talked out of it months ago, in order to afford the Democrats a proper primary, but that window has probably closed. I’m still not convinced Biden will make it all the way to the nomination, but not because of polling concerns… I think it’s more likely, as I said in this week’s No BS Zone, that a health episode (either mental or physical) could sideline him, at which point the Dems would have to shift into emergency mode and figure out what to do. What a mess.

I too like the idea of a DeSantis/Newsom debate. In fact, I’d like to see a whole bunch of high-profile debates between prominent Republicans and Democrats, so voters can listen to their ideas and arguments, better understand their positions, and decide which of them makes sense. We’re not going to get that with Biden and Trump. As for Musk and Zuckerberg, I just want those guys to fix their social media platforms.

From Bernie: The polls may be tightening, Tim, but not by much. Trump is still a million miles ahead of everybody else. So that won’t be a reason for Dems to get the hook and yank Joe offstage. As John said, more likely it would be some event — he falls down again … or he addresses a crowd in Cleveland and says it’s nice to be here in Portugal. Stay tuned. I have a feeling it ain’t over yet.

As for a DeSantis-Newsom debate: Doesn’t interest me — unless they’re running against each other … for president. And that ain’t happening this time around. Maybe in 2028, but not before then.

Yes, Bernie - what you describe is how civilizations fail. Isn't it odd that an invisible line between U.S. and Mexico - separates a sense of lawlessness which has prevailed for decades south of the border? This is a direct result of a resigned helplessness to enforce laws for looting, murders and kidnappings. — David K.

Liberals in general, and liberal elites in particular, will never acknowledge that looting here in America is the kind of problem that would lead to the downfall of our country — at least as we know it. The United States has survived a Great Depression, two World Wars, 9/11 and more — and we’re still standing. So it’s not that I think looting will mark the end of our country, I just think it won’t be the kind of country we’d like to live in. We’ve had thieves from the time we walked out of the caves. But there were consequences; punishment. Now, looters have no fear of ever being arrested, standing trial, or going to prison. That is what is so destructive.

Sir John & Your Royal Highness Sir Bernie: I keep hearing from my liberal friends that the only reason Governor DeSantis won Florida with the sweeping victory that he did is because of Republican gerrymandering which denies black Floridians the ability to vote. In fact I hear from many liberals that the only reason Republicans could win elections is by gerrymandering and unfair practices; like voter suppression… is this true? Are black and other minority voters truly screwed by Republican gerrymandering? Or is this another example of liberal Democrat denial a la Russian Collusion? And how exactly was DeSantis able to fix it so that he was able to flip Florida? — “Dark Clouds From The Sunshine State‘s Shenanigans” regards from The Emperor

From John: People are really telling you this, Emperor? No, Republican gerrymandering isn’t preventing black Floridians from voting. And Republicans absolutely can win (and have won) without gerrymandering or unfair practices. The key is candidate quality. As we saw most recently in the 2022 midterms, Republican candidates who acted like adults did quite well, while MAGA-pandering election-deniers didn’t.

From Bernie: You know why I’m skeptical of your assertion that liberal friends are telling you all that nonsense? Because I don’t think you have liberal friends. Okay, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I had no reason to say it. But it made me smile that I made a funny.

Another week on the Get Trump Zone. On the RNC - “they can control who is the candidate..” What they really want is someone who they can control afterward - and that ain’t Trump. On the lost GOP positions since 2016. How much of that is due to Russian Collusion stories that are now discredited, Covid interruption with vaccine mandates along with Fed missteps by NIH, and the FBI’s hiding of Biden’s degenerate son’s laptop with forensic evidence of influence peddling? — Thomas P.

From John: Voters didn't hand the GOP its biggest losses in 70 years because of Russian collusion stories (that the investigation discredited long before the 2020 election), vaccine mandates (which didn't even exist prior to Trump losing), or anything related to the clearly corrupt and sleazy Hunter Biden. Voters were sick and exhausted of four years of Trump being Trump, which included him, during his last year in office, seemingly treating the global pandemic like a joke. Americans, who were scared and desperate for guidance and leadership, tuned into those COVID press conferences in huge numbers, and saw an absolute s***-show, with the president behaving like a dolt. And after January 6, and Trump denying our country of its peaceful transfer of power, most general-election voters had lost all patience for Trump-endorsed, election-denying Republican candidates. So, they punished them in the midterms. Lots of Trump supporters will continue to put forth all kinds of creative excuses for why everyone else but Trump is to blame for these losses, but the fact of the matter is that Trump has been electorally toxic for the GOP.

From Bernie: What John said …

Bernie, Great stuff this week with John! My take… The longer Trump remains that “angry man wronged by the system” that failed to prove him the winner, the more his supporters will hang on and cheer him to the finish line. It’s obvious his devout followers hate the way we are being governed by this insane good old boy system and would prefer the bombastic “Mr T” be in control. The simple fact that half the country will still support him, even as a potential future felon who’s every word is typically untrue, speaks volumes. — Larry H.

I’m with you, Larry. His “devout followers” as you put it, will not only support him if he’s a convicted felon, they’d support him if he really did shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Indictments have helped him with that loyal base. I’m pretty sure convictions will too. And yes, it does “speak volumes.”

(Note to readers: Larry and I worked together 100 years ago at WTVJ in Miami. The stories I can tell you about this guy.)

Just finished watching today’s “No BS Zone”— sooooooo much of your analysis and predictions are based on polls. EVERYTHING is about the polls. Could you please tell us what polls???? Where are your numbers coming from? Do you feel they’re reliable. I share 98% of your political views but seriously need to know: WHAT POLLS? and do you have the undying confidence in them to base 80% of your commentary on them? Thank you. — Phyllis

In our columns, we typically cite which specific polls John and I are talking about, but Real Clear Politics provides a very good rundown of major poll results and poll averages, including for the Republican primary and general election. Polls (the scientific ones, anyway) may just represent a snapshot of time, and are of course subject to change, but they’re more often than not a helpful gauge of public sentiment and political trends. It’s easier to cite those polls in columns more than in a two-way chat. But, for the record, I only cite major polls, no online internet stuff.

Bernie, you make a good point. I don't mean to infer that you dislike Trump personally. I still believe that you somewhat do (subconsciously perhaps), but it is unfair of me to make the assumption. The one thing that I completely disagree with you on is the possibility of Trump being convicted as being a disqualifier (for support). I wish you and John would spend more time examining the reprehensible people who are pursuing this end game. They are the real story here. They deserve our vitriol and distrust. Biden and his son are clearly being protected and that is not even debatable. — Thomas C.

In a recent column, Thomas, I wrote that Trump may be onto something when he says he’s the victim of political indictments. The Manhattan case and the Atlanta case may in fact be political prosecutions. Maybe even the special prosecutor is motivated by politics. I don’t know. But let’s not pretend that Donald is an innocent victim in all this. If he didn’t do crazy stuff they’d have no reason to go after him.

Good episode this week. This question is for John, actually (but it involves you Bernie). When Bernie said that any GOP candidate on stage last week would be a better president than Joe Biden, you - John - were pretty stonefaced. LOL. Do you agree with Bernie on that or not? — Alex D.

From John: Good (and funny) observation, Alex. I agree with Bernie… with the possible exception of Vivek Ramaswamy. And I’m not just saying that because I believe Ramaswamy is in this race to run interference for Trump, and use the MAGA base to build his public profile for other ventures.

Ramaswamy is obviously more mentally sharp than Biden, and a far better orator. But when I listen to him, what I hear is a guy who’s overflowing with confidence, but expressing ideas that are almost always painfully naive, nonsensical, or downright terrible. Plus, he lies a ton, routinely flip-flops on even big issues (while shamelessly denying he ever changed his position), and spreads reckless conspiracy theories… all because he knows the MAGA crowd eats that stuff up. I can’t identify any principles, convictions, or consistency with him. I recently saw him described as “a sales guy who tells you their product is life-changing, and the answer to all your problems, when he doesn’t even know how it works.” I think that’s a very apt description. So, unless we’re talking entirely about mental sharpness and oratory skills, I can’t say with any confidence that he’d be any better than Biden (or anyone else for that matter).

Bernie, what are your thoughts on term limits and age limits for congressmen and senators? Someone needs to give Mitch McConnell a shot of anti-freeze before he dies on camera. The country would be a far better place if its elected leaders couldn't serve more than 2 consecutive terms just like the President. No more life tenure for pork barreling moochers. —Fair Dinkum Mate

It’s a close call on term limits. I see your point. But I’d like to leave it up to the voters to decide when they want to pull the plug on a candidate. If they want someone who can’t answer a question without freezing up for nearly 30 seconds, that’s on them, the voters. If they want someone like John Letterman, who they elected senator in Pennsylvania, well, now they’re stuck with a guy who should still be recovering from a stroke. My general point is that, at least generally speaking, I’d leave decisions on who represents the voters … up to the voters.

Recently, Tucker Carlson has been heavily pushing the idea that Trump may be assassinated. Bernie, do you agree that Trump should find comfort in this, being that Tucker is never right about anything? — John D.

At long last, you finally have stumbled onto a good point, John D. So yes, Trump should be relieved to hear what Tucker is saying because Tucker is a smart guy who says stupid things. But, and I’m sure you haven’t thought of this, Mr. D: If Tucker Carlson should ever turn on Donald Trump and bad mouth him in a public forum … then it’s Tucker who should be concerned about getting whacked. I am definitely not saying Donald would actually do the dirty work. You hire stooges to do stuff like that. And who knows, Rudy might need a part-time job to pay all those legal fees.

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Thanks everyone! You can send me questions for next week by leaving a comment under this column.