Join us for a busy news day on the Three Martini Lunch. Today, Jim and Greg discuss Iran’s missile strike injuring no one in Iraq, leading President Trump to announce new sanctions but no new military action. They also discuss whether the Ukrainian airliner crash in Iran was a coincidence or something more sinister. In addition, they’re glad to see Covington Catholic High School student Nick Sandmann receiving a settlement from CNN after the network attacked over his encounter with an American Indian near the Lincoln Memorial last year – all because Sandmann was wearing a MAGA hat. And they try not to lose their breakfast as MSNBC not only carries the Soleimani funeral live but fawns all over the legacy of a man known for killing hundreds of American service members and slaughtering innocents at home and abroad.
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Trump’s Orders, Conspiracy or Lunacy? McCabe Joins CNN, Remembering David Koch
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America close the week with three crazy martinis and a champagne toast. They sigh as President Trump tweets that he is ordering U.S. companies to scale back in China in response to the very real practice of China ripping us off. They also evaluate former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne’s claims that he was ordered to conduct political espionage on four presidential candidates in 2015-2016 on orders from the FBI and Justice Department. They react to CNN hiring disgraced former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe as an analyst. And Jim offers a toast to the late David Koch for his tireless efforts to expand freedom and opportunity to Americans.
Post Debate: Blue Dogs Emerge, Moderators Control Time, Marianne’s “Dark Psychic Forces”
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Rich McFadden of Radio America react to the first night of CNN Democratic presidential debates. They discuss the moderate candidates challenging Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on the feasibility of their left-wing agendas. They lament the structure of presidential debates and the time constraints placed on candidates. And they respond to Marianne Williamson’s performance with her warnings of “dark psychic forces.”
Sanders Staffers Berned, Exit Delaney? CNN Debate “Draw-ma”
Listen to “Sanders Staffers Berned, Exit Delaney? CNN Debate “Draw-ma”” on Spreaker.
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America chuckle at Bernie Sanders reportedly underpaying his unionized staffers while promising to raise the federal minimum wage. They discuss reports that John Delaney is facing pressure from his own team to withdraw from the presidential race. And they share a laugh at CNN and Wolf Blitzer for their over the top handling of the draw for the July 30 and July 31 Democratic debates.
Young Dems Turn on Biden, Tankers Attacked in Gulf, Acosta’s Ego Trip
Listen to “Young Dems Turn on Biden, Tankers Attacked in Gulf, Acosta’s Ego Trip” on Spreaker.
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America discuss Beto O’Rourke and other Democratic presidential candidates attacking Joe Biden for his age and ties to the Obama administration. They also discuss the attack on two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf as tensions escalate. And they get a good laugh as CNN’s Jim Acosta and Don Lemon offer a comical defense of their organization’s coverage of the Trump administration.
Bernie Rakes in Cash, Castro Calls for Open Borders, Left vs. Free Speech
Listen to “Bernie Rakes in Cash, Castro Calls for Open Borders, Left vs. Free Speech” on Spreaker.
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America worry that Republicans and Democrats are underestimating Sen. Bernie Sanders’ chances in 2020 after the 77-year-old socialist from Vermont blew his competition out of the water by raising $18 million in his first six weeks. They also remember that Julian Castro is running after the former DNC darling from Texas called for decriminalizing illegal border crossings. And they unload on CNN’s Christiane Amanpour after she asks former FBI Director James Comey whether the federal government should have clamped down on chants of “lock her up” against Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign.
Clyburn Likens Trump to Hitler, CNN Awarded for Parkland Spectacle, ‘Husband from Hell’
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America blast House Majority Whip James Clyburn after the congressman likens President Trump to Adolf Hitler and says the Trump family is the greatest threat to democracy in his lifetime. They’re also aghast as CNN receives a Cronkite award for their disastrous Parkland Town Hall from 2018. And they wonder what is going on as George Conway, husband of White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, engages in a very public Twitter spat with President Trump.
Swetnick’s Changing Story, GOP House in Danger, Hirono’s Latest Hit
Listen to “Swetnick’s Changing Story, GOP House in Danger, Hirono’s Latest Hit” on Spreaker.
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America react as Kavanaugh accuser Julie Swetnick fails even to grasp the timeline of events this summer and then radically walks back her allegations that Brett Kavanaugh drugged and raped girls while in high school. They also wince as the National Republican Congressional Committee pulls back major support for four embattled House incumbents. And they roll their eyes as CNN asks Sen. Mazie Hirono if allegations that Kavanaugh threw ice at someone in a car 33 years ago is disqualifying for his bid to be a Supreme Court justice and Hirono gives another ludicrous response.
Public Sides with Trump vs. Brennan, CNN’s Latest Shame, Politics of Room Temperature
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America react to a new poll showing nearly 60 percent of Americans supporting President Trump’s decision to revoke the security clearance for former CIA Director John Brennan and even more backing the idea for those fired at the FBI. They also unload on CNN after after the cable network used anonymous sources to report that President Trump knew of the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russians before it happened and claimed Cohen attorney Lanny Davis did not comment for the story. Davis now says he was the anonymous source and got the story wrong, but CNN stands by its story. And they have fun with New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon demanding the room temperature to be 76 degrees for her debate against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who likes the room to be much colder.
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.