Elections are tough to explain because there is basically one data point and a zillion variables. But one variable that was entirely within the Democrats' control was the decision not to pass the $1.2 trillion "infrastructure" bill and to hold out for a $3.5 trillion "reconciliation" bill on a variety of government programs.
The bill was written by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and adopted by President Joe Biden as the embodiment of his once-moderate-sounding "Build Back Better" agenda. It was a bait-and-switch, because Biden and his party took everything that they had cut out of the infrastructure bill in a negotiation with Republicans and simply stuck it in the "reconciliation" bill. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi joined the "progressives" in the House in insisting that the "reconciliation" bill had to precede the "bipartisan" infrastructure bill.
But Democrats could not agree among themselves, and the left would not compromise, and so Biden left for Europe last week ahead of the election, with neither bill having passed, and nothing to show the electorate.
Cue the civil war: moderates will claim that the left ruined the party's prospects, and the left will claim that moderates dampened enthusiasm among the base.
The big loser here, surprisingly, is Pelosi, once admired for her political acumen. She failed to steer a bill to passage, and looks headed to defeat in 2022.
This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
We have so much to talk about this week -- Trump's efforts to negotiate peace through negotiation, and Gavin Newsom's efforts to divide Americans through gerrymandering. We'll also talk about Playboy leaving LA and California.
Special guests:
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Russia & Ukraine
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on Newsom
Harmeet Dhillon - DOJ Civil Rights Division chief, on the fight against DEI
Jessica Vaugn - Playboy model on political commentator, on California
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874
