Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America applaud Virginia Del. Nick Freitas, who is also running for U.S. Senate, for his powerful arguments in defense of the second amendment, pointing out the hypocrisy and real goals of the left, and doing so in a calm and measured manner. They also roll their eyes as the Academy Awards telecast only addresses the sexual assault and harassment crises with vague euphemisms, as Hollywood pats itself on the back for changing without ever explaining what’s changed. And they shudder yet again at revelations that all Broward deputies at the site of the Florida school shooting were ordered to stand down.
National Review
McCabe in Trouble, Trump’s Tariffs, Schumer Plays the Race Card
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America are glad to see the inspector general at the Justice Department taking his job seriously as reports surface that his forthcoming report will be highly critical of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. While they sympathize with President Trump’s desire to fix trade imbalances, they fear new steel and aluminum tariffs will have a negative impact on American consumers and the economy. And they slam Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for announcing his opposition to a judicial nominee because the nominee is white and President Obama’s previous nominees were black.
Trump Embraces Dem Gun Plans, Hicks Hits the Bricks, Economy Booming
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America unload on President Trump for even saying he wants to see most aspects of the Democrats’ gun control agenda in a comprehensive bill and for apparently having little regard for due process rights. They also discuss the resignation of White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and how the West Wing seems to be in a constant state of turnover. And they close with good economic news, as new reports show wages rising – especially for low-income workers – and that the number of jobless claims filed last week were the fewest since 1969.
Public Sours on Anti-Gun Businesses, GOP Dodges Scandal, No Tax = No Obamacare?
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America discuss new polling showing public perception dropping for businesses that are publicly breaking ties with the NRA, due entirely to a massive plunge in favorability among Republicans. They also breathe a sigh of relief as Republicans in Arizona’s eighth congressional district reject the frontrunner in the primary after the married minister was caught exchanging inappropriate texts with a female staffer. And they wish the best of luck to 20 state attorneys general who argue that all of Obamacare should be declared unconstitutional now that the tax provision that saved it at the Supreme Court in 2012 has been scrapped in the new tax law.
Corker Stays Out, Dems Push Gun Ban, Celebs Run for Congress, Honoring Buckley
Jim Geraghty of Radio America and Greg Corombos of Radio America welcome the news that Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker will not become “the Brett Favre of politics” as the senator confirms he will honor his initial decision not to run for re-election this year. They also discuss efforts by House Democrats to ban every semi-automatic firearm that has a detachable magazine and every one that can hold more than ten rounds, with Jim detailing the random, uninformed approach Democrats appear to be taking on this issue. They have some fun with the news actress Stacey Dash and former MSNBC hothead Dylan Ratigan are running for Congress. And they pay tribute to National Review Founder William F. Buckley, Jr. ten years after his death.
Mona Gets it Right, Broward Sheriff Flailing, NBC vs. Ivanka
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America applaud conservative columnist Mona Charen for speaking the hard truth that too many on the right are willing to look the other way on President Trump’s personal behavior – and even the Roy Moore story – in an effort to achieve political goals. They also rip Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel for looking at the litany of mistakes and missed opportunities for authorities to stop the Stoneman Douglas shooting and flippantly concluding, “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, then O.J. Simpson would still be in the record books.” And they shake their heads as NBC interviews Ivanka Trump at the Olympics and asks her whether she believes her father’s accusers.
Florida Failures Abound, French Defends Assault Weapons, Greitens Indicted
David French of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America react to the horrific news that the armed sheriff’s deputy assigned to Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School was aware of the shooter and never went in to confront him. They also recoil at reports the sheriff’s office was specifically warned in November that the shooter would do this and that his own family asked the sheriff’s office to take his guns away. David details his latest column, explaining how law-abiding Americans should have access to so-called “assault weapons” in order to match the firepower of criminals and because our founders actually did intend it to be this way. And they discuss the political freefall of now-indicted Republican Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, who is facing charges of invasion of privacy in connection with an extramarital affair with his hairdresser before running for governor.
White House Listening Session, Town Hall Targets Rubio, Trebek Takes on Politics
David French of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America applaud President Trump for hosting a dignified event on school shootings that included a wide variety of opinions from many anguished families. They also slam CNN for letting it’s town hall on guns turn into an endless onslaught against Marco Rubio, because he will not support an “assault weapons” ban, with one student even telling Rubio he feels like he’s looking at the shooter or down the barrel of an AR-15 when he sees Rubio. And they shake their heads at the news “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek is scheduled to moderate a debate later this year in the Pennsylvania governor’s race.
DHS & the Midterms, Left’s ‘Kids vs. Guns’ Premise, Did Bots Topple Franken?
Alexandra DeSanctis of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America are glad to see the Department of Homeland Security taking a thorough, pro-active approach to securing the 2018 midterms. They also slam MSNBC’s Katy Tur for being the latest liberal journalist to suggest Americans frame the gun debate as, “Kids or guns, what do you value more?” Alexandra strongly calls out the intellectual dishonesty and rampant hypocrisy involved in that approach from liberals. They get a kick out Newsweek suggesting that internet bots are really responsible for the ouster of Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, as opposed to his own inappropriate behavior. And they pause to remember the life and legacy of evangelist Billy Graham.
Polling vs. Media Bias, Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania, Gold or Gulags?
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America look at a bunch of new polling that shows America sharply divided on banning “assault weapons,” in large agreement on mental illness needing to be addressed, and a majority now liking the tax cuts. They also rip the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for redrawing the congressional map of the state, ignoring the will of the people through their elected representatives and making the map much more favorable to their Democratic friends. And they shudder as fears grow that North Korea may punish their Olympic athletes for failing to medal at the Winter Olympics.