This transcript was created utilizing speech recognition software program. Whereas it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it could include errors. Please assessment the episode audio earlier than quoting from this transcript and electronic mail transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions.
Guys, it’s been a complete yr that we’ve been doing this. Are you able to consider it? Blissful birthday MoO.
(SINGING) Blissful birthday.
It feels longer.
Wow. Wow.
It’s 50 episodes. 50. 5-0.
I imply, pleased anniversary. That’s golden, proper?
Yeah. That is our golden anniversary.
It’s similar to 50 years of marriage.
Aww.
Any person owes me a cake.
From New York Occasions Opinion, I’m Carlos Lozada.
I’m Michelle Cottle.
I’m Ross Douthat.
And I’m Lydia Polgreen.
And that is “Matter of Opinion,” one-year-old, the place ideas are nonetheless allowed.
Not potty skilled, not strolling but.
Not fairly toddler, truly probably the most annoying type of age.
All proper. That is our first of two veep-themed episodes of “Matter of Opinion.” We’ll get to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden someday quickly. However right now we’re going to speak about Donald Trump’s potential working mate.
Again in January, so way back, after we nonetheless cared about Iowa and issues like that, we had an episode the place we shared some ideas, even some obscure predictions, about who Trump would possibly select. However now we might have a barely, vaguely, probably clearer image of who he may be contemplating.
It’s going to be Pence!
Sorry. I’m sorry.
You already know, don’t get me began on the good Mike Pence. However he truly sort appeared to have an audition of some choices at a fundraising occasion in Palm Seaside this previous weekend.
So for our functions, I hope we are able to consider this parade of veep hopefuls, each when it comes to what they inform us about Trump and the way he’s excited about a possible second time period and likewise how they could match right into a second Trump White Home. How does that sound?
We’re prepared.
Let’s do it.
So purely for reference, amongst others that had been invited to this donor retreat factor, Trump had Senator Marco Rubio of Florida —
Oh, Marco.
— J.D. Vance of Ohio, and Tim Scott of South Carolina. He had each Dakotas.
Whoo!
Wow.
Doug Burgum of North, Kristi Noem of South, and New York Consultant Elise Stefanik.
Anybody on that listing that surprises you, that elicits any type of sturdy response, someplace between clear contender or snowball in hell?
I used to be stunned that Doug Burgum’s title has been bopping round for some time now simply because he’s tremendous boring. The one profit I see to him is that he’s low drama and would fade into the background and he’s tremendous wealthy.
He’s very wealthy.
That at all times helps.
Good hair. Good hair I’d say.
He does have good hair.
Appears to be like the half.
I envy his hair. That’s the hair I anticipated to have again once I thought I used to be going to maintain my hair.
Oh, Ross.
I like that we’ve gone full substantive very early.
Yeah, completely.
Very early.
However Carlos, isn’t that a part of the issue? That the final time round, Trump ran this not because the type of course of that you’d suppose that he’d wish to, proper? It is a man who’s made his bones as a actuality tv star and working magnificence pageants, and as an alternative he needed to make a protected decide to shore up his base. So I really feel like we’re getting the total Trump therapy this time. We get to do it his manner.
However even Mike Pence appeared like he was straight out of central casting, proper? So he — discuss some good hair. He has some tremendous hair.
So Michelle, again in January, after we final left our heroes, you advised that Trump would possibly contemplate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. I’m questioning the way you stand by that or are you type of barking up the flawed tree there.
I knew you had been going to do this.
Oh, there’s many I might have chosen. That canine don’t hunt!
I didn’t have pet killing on my bingo card. I offers you that. However I nonetheless suppose that if we transfer proper alongside from Governor pet killer, I nonetheless suppose the mannequin has a variety of advantage. You already know, throw a bit of peace providing on the market to the ladies, discover anyone who’s tremendous loyal. However on the time, we thought she wasn’t dramatic sufficient to utterly upstage him. However who knew?
Do we have to clarify why we’re making canine jokes in regards to the governor of South Dakota?
Properly, the governor in her upcoming e-book, which I perceive Carlos has already mined from entrance to again, has a narrative that she tells about how she blew away her 14-month-old pet, Cricket, for no obvious good cause.
She was a foul canine and wanted to be put down.
OK, Carlos. I’m going to wish some truth test right here.
That was my understanding.
OK, I obtained the e-book final evening and I completed it right now simply earlier than our recording. It’s recent in my head. However right here’s what’s superb in regards to the canine story. For some cause, it’s this interlude proper in the midst of her massive international coverage, nationwide safety chapter.
However it truly works. It truly works remarkably. Right here’s the story. She was having considered one of these hunts with some fancy associates. You already know the type of faux hunt the place you place all of the pheasants in a single place in order that your folks can then shoot them?
Did that simply final weekend.
Very acquainted.
If considered one of us had carried out that, Ross, I’d have guessed it might have been you.
It’s humorous, I’d have guessed, Michelle. However go on.
However right here’s the factor. She had these canines, most of which had been well-trained aside from Cricket, to go up forward of them and rouse up the pheasants in order that the flowery associates might then shoot them. However Cricket went too far forward earlier than any of the hunters acquired there, so it ruined the hunt.
Then on the way in which again, Cricket’s within the truck or one thing, and she or he stops at somebody’s place, a spot that they’ve all these chickens. And Cricket jumps out and like assaults the chickens. So she writes within the e-book, now I hate this canine. And so she determined to kill Cricket. She killed Cricket as a result of she was each embarrassed and indignant. However it doesn’t finish there.
Oh, my god.
What’s even higher is that subsequent she remembers that, you realize what? I’ve at all times had this goat that I hated. And now that I’m type of within the temper for killing, I’m simply going to kill the goat, too.
Wow.
In the meantime, all these employees at her home are freaking out as a result of they suppose she’s gone —
She’s coming for them subsequent?
She’s gone loopy. After which she ends the story of the canine and the goat after which strikes into right here’s the Noem doctrine of international coverage.
Wow.
Wow.
It was loopy. It was loopy to me. And that is the chapter on international coverage. So in fact, I assumed that is like invading Afghanistan after which invading Iraq simply because you’ll be able to as a result of I’ve at all times hated Saddam Hussein. So I’m now happy that she won’t be within the working due to the style by which she reacts to anger and embarrassment. This canine made her look dangerous? I’m going to kill the canine.
I don’t know. Trump’s not likely a canine man. Simply saying.
Yeah, however I feel it’s a bit of bit like a way more excessive model of the Katie Britt downside. Your one job is simply be a bit of bit regular. And I imply, that is simply such an excessive model of failing at regular.
All proper. So if we’ve knocked Kristi Noem out of competition, who has a case to make for somebody who’s a powerful possibility?
Ross, save us. Save us from this dialogue, please.
All proper. I feel you may make a great case that, out of this listing, Rubio makes a sure sense for Trump. However he and Trump are each residents of Florida, clearly, and that’s constitutionally prohibited. With a purpose to be picked, he must transfer out of the state that he represents within the Senate. That appears a bit of difficult.
However with all that being stated, I feel, setting apart the constitutional problem, he checks varied packing containers. The field of submission, within the sense that Rubio was vehemently anti-Trump in 2016. And there’s nothing that Trump loves greater than a convert to his trigger.
On the identical time, Rubio has remained a type of hawkish, establishment-friendly Republican via the Trump period to a higher diploma than, for example, J.D. Vance. I feel he could be a extra reassuring decide for lots of Republican donors and international coverage sorts who would suppose, OK, if Rubio is the VP, we’re in all probability not pulling out of NATO on day one.
Or attacking Mexico.
Proper. Rubio can provide a extremely good speech. He’s Hispanic. I might go on. However I feel that’s truly a great combine for the place Trump is correct now.
Ross, so that you’re off the J.D. Vance prepare? He was your thought final time round, proper?
I feel these are separate questions. I don’t suppose I’ve ever thought that Vance is the best decide for Trump when it comes to successful the 2024 election. I feel Vance is far more of a decide that you simply make for those who’re saying, OK, this time we’re doing populist coverage and we’re doing it proper and we’re not letting the institution co-opt us and run roughshod over us. So choosing Vance is making a fairly clear coverage assertion about the place a Trump second time period would go.
I’m simply saying if we’re doing it type of as a magnificence pageant, electoral votes —
Like demographics, proper.
As a strategic transfer, I feel you may make a case for Rubio.
Lydia.
I feel that I’m going to go together with the selection who’s most just like Rubio, and that’s Tim Scott. He clearly has proven unbelievable servile loyalty. However I feel that Scott, like Rubio, his roots — he got here to Congress as a part of the institution fairly than a part of the MAGA horde. And I feel that’s useful. He can learn as regular, though his willingness to embrace election denialism and issues like that does appear to be that mitigates in opposition to his normalcy.
I additionally suppose that in Trump’s extremely reductive, I’d say fairly racist manner, he in all probability thinks that Scott’s going to assist him entice Black voters, and, specifically, Black male voters. I truly don’t suppose that the old-fashioned conservatism of Scott, who’s very a lot a type of pull you up by your bootstraps type of Republican, is definitely the pitch that appeals to the male voters of shade who’re drawn to Trump. So I feel he’s truly type of mistaken about that.
However I might see how Trump might get there as like. oh, yeah, this man goes to assist me with a progress of constituency and chance. I feel he’s flawed about that, however I feel that may in all probability be a part of the calculus.
Michelle now that Noem is out, who’s in?
Properly, surveying the group of non-puppy killers, I feel Elise Stefanik is the mannequin with a twist. She offers the nod to suburban ladies. She, pre-Trump, spent a variety of her time working to make the occasion extra female-friendly and nonetheless has carried out loads to try to improve the variety of ladies who run for workplace who contribute to the occasion. She’s acquired a variety of these networks. She’s good with the institution. She’s very business-friendly, good with fundraising.
On the identical time, although, she has come round to be extremely obsequious and a type of massive MAGA bootlicker. And has distinguished herself with the bottom by going arduous after faculty presidents. She’s been massive on grilling them in regards to the anti-Semitism on campuses. This received her a variety of brownie factors with Trump.
Now, I don’t know if she’s glam sufficient for him. He would possibly need her to get type of a Kristi Noem makeover. However he desperately wants at the least some small entree to suburban ladies, particularly within the post-Roe period. She wouldn’t be a foul decide.
And I feel the school presidents stuff isn’t truly only a base play. I feel that there’s a set of school educated suburban voters who are usually not pro-protest on faculty campuses, who’re very a lot on the Stefanik facet of that debate, who’re genuine swing voters.
However I’d have stated six months in the past that her profile within the final couple of years has been nearly too pure MAGA convert to make her a great decide. However I do suppose that her function within the hearings has gotten her a bit of little bit of that potential swing voter attraction again.
What are her positions on abortion? I assume that she’s pro-life, however has she stated something that may make us consider that she might assist Trump ameliorate on the occasion’s difficulties in that problem?
She could be extra of a straddler, I’m positive, in her report than Noem, Rubio, Vance.
Oh, yeah.
I’m wondering, Lydia, if, in the identical manner that you simply advised that Trump would possibly in a simplistic manner see Tim Scott as shoring up his outreach to Black voters, in an analogous manner, simply having a lady on the ticket might sound to him — whatever the specifics of the place she stands and what her particular positions are — simply having a lady on the ticket would assist his quote, “lady downside.”
Yeah. I feel he positively thinks that. I suppose the query that each one of this raises for me, although, is does Trump consider that he has weaknesses? And is he attempting to unravel for them actually on this course of? I ask that genuinely, as a result of I’m unsure that in his coronary heart of hearts that he truly believes that he has any weaknesses. He’s an I-alone-can-fix-it man.
We all know that in choosing Pence in 2016, he was actually acknowledging his weaknesses. Clearly, the scenario is totally different now, and he’s, for example, main within the polls, not trailing within the polls. So I positively suppose you must count on an actual calculation going into the selection.
However you’re proper that he feels far much less constrained. Our colleagues on the information facet of the Occasions, Maggie Haberman, Charlie Savage, and Jonathan Swan have carried out a extremely good sequence on what Trump’s second time period would possibly seem like. And if I needed to boil it down, it might be that he’ll decide up the place he left off. In different phrases, he wouldn’t really feel that he has to select these reassuring figures in key positions, together with the vice presidency.
Yeah, we maintain studying these tales. However on the identical time, Trump when pushed, for example, on the Ukraine vote, ended up lending his tacit assist to Mike Johnson’s cope with Democrats. No matter his true intentions, he wants cash. He wants donors on his facet. He wants to carry some section of suburban Republicans and moderates who don’t love him.
Even simply this listing, he’s not seeking to decide Steve Bannon as his working mate. He’s assembled a fairly regular listing of Republicans. They usually’re leaking issues like perhaps Tom Cotton can be Secretary of Protection. That’s fairly totally different from making —
Mike Flynn.
Proper, Mike Flynn, a visitor from Tucker Carlson’s present or one thing, Secretary of Protection.
I feel Flynn can be again, by the way in which, in some capability.
He’ll seem on the White home. That’s for positive. However I simply don’t suppose we all know. I feel this decide will truly inform us loads. Choosing Rubio versus choosing Vance versus choosing Stefanik, every of these selections alerts one thing specifically about Trump’s second time period that we don’t know but.
However I additionally suppose that Trump’s biggest want — and that is I feel the place we convey within the L phrase — is loyalty. As a result of if he needs to have the ability to decide up the place he left off, what saved him from doing, quote unquote, “what he needed,” had been all of those individuals who acquired in the way in which, who had been institution sorts. And loyalty doesn’t essentially imply simply do no matter Trump says. It might additionally imply serving to maintain Trump in workplace.
However I feel that loyalty is, to me, crucial attribute that he’s taking a look at in anybody. And nobody on this listing that we’ve talked about has proven any signal of any type of disloyalty. And I feel fealty to election denialism might be the primary type of litmus check for that loyalty.
You noticed that with Tim Scott this previous weekend in that interview.
Completely.
The query — I consider it was on “Meet the Press”— was that type of simple, you realize, would you settle for the outcomes of the 2024 election no matter who wins? And he saved saying one thing alongside the traces of how he expects the election to be utterly truthful and above board and for Donald Trump to win, placing these issues collectively. After which the moderator saved saying like, nicely, no, however wait, what I’m saying is no matter who wins. And he wouldn’t transfer past these speaking factors.
It’s simply not potential to think about that Trump wouldn’t win.
Otherwise you simply must maintain saying that as a result of every other reply could be an indication of disloyalty.
Properly, ideally for Trump, I feel loyalty just isn’t a passive matter. You see the individuals who have been auditioning aggressively for this place on the market on the marketing campaign path and particularly on TV. He’s doing check drives for who could make a great argument on TV for all the issues which might be necessary to him. It is a man, clearly, for whom media skill is essential. So it’s not only a matter of agreeing with him or working behind him. You should be a fighter. You should get on the market and make that case for him in a great state of affairs.
However the different query right here is, if Trump wins a second time period, he’ll be in an uncommon scenario the place he has a brand new vp however not eight years to go. The vp will instantly be — actually within the vp’s thoughts — candidate for president within the yr of our Lord 2028. And in that sense, I feel Trump’s concern may be much less about are they going to be loyal to me in the course of the course of the 2024 election and extra to what extent does this individual have a type of unbiased model that they might type of domesticate to get separation from me over the course of 4 years.
And in that sense, if Trump is anxious about his vp primarily simply beginning to run for president six months in or no matter, that’s a case for not choosing the 2 senators with the largest profiles and the largest manufacturers, Vance and Rubio.
However, it could possibly be tremendous enjoyable to observe him simply type of serially, perpetually humiliate both of them during 4 years to continuously put them of their place, which I feel he would truly take a specific amount of enjoyment in If he’s not likely that anxious.
I don’t truly know that he would essentially achieve success at that. It would turn into tougher than he’d suppose. I feel the concept of succession might be fairly insupportable to Trump, the concept that anyone coming after him and choosing up his mantle. And to me, that’s the strongest cause why Rubio and Vance are in all probability out of the query. Their planetary gravitational pull is simply too massive.
And the concept of the longer term past Trump is simply type of a priori a solvent to loyalty. Should you’re excited about what’s subsequent for you, then you definitely’re not keen to place completely all the pieces on the road with a purpose to shield a Trump presidency, significantly since, Lord assist us, hopefully, if he wins, that is his final time period, and we transfer on to a brand new post-Trump political period.
However I feel that the person who considering most advantages is definitely Doug Burgum. Nice head of hair, central casting, matches the half, isn’t bizarre, doesn’t flip folks off, looks as if a fairly good man.
And may solely think about being president if Trump stays with him all the way in which.
True, though I do suppose that’s additionally type of a case in a destructive manner for Stefanik, as a result of I don’t suppose Trump thinks about ladies as logical leaders. I don’t suppose that that’s how he views them. I feel he’s an quaint sexist in that regard. I don’t suppose he’s that intimidated by them. I don’t suppose he appears to be like at them and thinks, oh, nicely, you realize, they’re in all probability plotting to overthrow me, as a result of that’s simply not how he rolls.
However there isn’t a higher praise in Trump’s vocabulary than killer. And that’s what he calls Stefanik. You’re by no means going to listen to him calling Tim Scott a killer.
Sure, that may be a mistake to name Tim Scott a killer.
That may even be an issue in different methods.
Though perhaps Kristi Noem now, the canine killer.
She is totally, positively a killer.
And we’re again full circle.
So we began dabbling into succession right here. And I wish to perhaps —
Play the “Succession” theme?
Yeah, who’s the Wambsgans right here?
Wambsgans for VP.
Burgum. Burgum feels just like the Wambsgans.
Burgum is the Wambsgans.
Let’s take a fast break there — talking of “Succession”— and after we come again, we’ll discuss whether or not any of those potential working mates might sign some type of future flip for the GOP after Trump, or if it’ll simply be Trumpism all the way in which down.
(SINGING) Trumpism all the way in which down.
So we’re again.
We maintain speaking about this job as of it’s overtly and clearly and self-evidently a beautiful factor that each one of them desperately need. And which may be true. However let’s discover that a bit of bit. What are they getting out of this themselves? And what do these potential candidates danger by taking over such a job?
I don’t learn about you guys, however I simply have this imaginative and prescient of Marco Rubio resigning the senate, transferring to some faraway state, after which Trump deciding, no, I’m not going to select you. However thanks, perhaps subsequent time.
Look, the vice presidency just isn’t traditionally been described as a beautiful place, and but plenty of folks appear to wish to do the job. It’s like, ick, I wouldn’t probably wish to try this. After which when the chance is in entrance of you, you seize it. And I feel for every of them, there are various, many various causes.
However I feel {that a} massive a part of that is that the way forward for the Republican Celebration feels so up for grabs, and the one who is his vp might probably form what that’s going to be. However there are various, many various potentialities on supply right here. And I feel speaks to, I don’t know, the sui generis nature of Trumpism.
This looks as if an extremely unattractive job. Take a look at what occurred to Mike Pence. He nearly misplaced his life as a part of it.
However everyone in excessive degree politics, you hit a sure degree and it requires a sure ego and a sure delusion that you’ve got solutions and presents that different folks don’t have.
Very like being a New York Occasions columnist.
Sure, precisely.
We’ve got some actual similarities.
So clearly, all of them suppose they’re going to be totally different, they’re going to be those to crack the code. And with out that, I’m unsure how they might proceed as they’re.
That is, once more, a really uncommon scenario the place you’re changing into vp to a term-limited president, who within the regular course of occasions — stipulating that nothing with Trump is regular — within the regular course of occasions turns into a lame duck between six months and 18 months into his presidency, and likewise just isn’t actually within the particulars of governing.
And I don’t consider that Trump is sitting there — oh, he’s at all times discovered the paperwork now. He’s acquired an inventory of 1,700 places of work he’s going to personally undergo and exchange. No. Trump, even an indignant, out-for-revenge Trump, is simply not going to care in regards to the particulars.
So for those who’re his vp, you might be ready, one, the place you might be actually probably his successor. And two, you get to run an actual a part of his White Home. And yeah, the Mike Pence scenario hangs over your head each day.
Hangs?
Ooh.
So to talk. However for these guys, people who find themselves loopy sufficient to wish to be United States Senators and President of the USA, I don’t see the way it’s a state of affairs you can flip down.
I feel that the good promise of Trump is the way in which that he has reshaped the Republican Celebration. And it stays to be seen whether or not that is actual. however the potential coalition to incorporate sure extra conservative-leaning voters of shade, this isn’t a you’re simply going handy over and take over the machine.
We talked about this the final time we talked about vice presidents, however the one who additionally fumbled this was Barack Obama. He had a really sensible VP decide in Joe Biden. However then when Joe Biden didn’t find yourself working for president proper then, it turned out the person who he in the end blessed ultimately wasn’t able to choosing up and working with the coalition that he had constructed.
So I feel the query that I’ve is, who amongst these names is able to choosing up and working with the coalition that Trump has constructed? And may Trump tolerate having an individual as his quantity two who’s able to choosing up and working with the coalition that he’s constructed and even construct on it?
That’s my query for you. Wouldn’t he desire anyone who would fail simply to fulfill his ego as, see, I advised you I used to be the one one who might do that?
You imply somebody who would run after him and lose?
Yeah. Or I imply, that simply he wouldn’t care in the event that they ran after him and misplaced as a result of that’s of no curiosity to him that anyone else might do it or that he has helped the occasion not directly. He has no real interest in that.
He would definitely create a scenario the place whoever follows him should endure some type of humiliating check with a purpose to get the blessing from Trump that may allow Trump to say credit score for any victory. That we might be completely sure of. I feel in all probability he would nonetheless wish to beat the extremist, left wing, far left, horrible Democrats.
Perhaps, however he hates the RINOs, too.
Proper. He hates the rhinos.
However let’s be clear, although. He’s going to be 82 by the point that is throughout.
We’re all going to be 82 by the point —
I really feel like I’m already 82. I don’t know.
I’m previous 82, spiritually.
Once more, I feel the reply is fairly clear. Should you had been simply designing candidates to maintain a extra downscale, multiracial, working-class Trumpist coalition, you’ll go both with Vance or Rubio. And I might think about an African-American candidate who would fill that function. I don’t suppose Scott is that candidate. And Burgum and Stefanik, they’re not inheritors in that manner. However once more, I feel that would make them extra engaging to Trump.
So do you suppose that any of those candidates as vp might sign a significant evolution of the Republican Celebration from Trumpism? Or does the mere truth of all of the loyalty assessments, et cetera, that they must move to even get the job, make that tough to think about?
I feel they’re fluid sufficient that they’ll pivot once more. These individuals are chameleons, a variety of them. He’s not choosing Marjorie Taylor Greene to run on the ticket.
Yeah, I feel if there’s something we’ve realized from the Trump period, it’s that many, many politicians who you thought had been deeply, deeply dedicated to a selected ideological profile, found that they produce other and extra necessary commitments.
They’re deeply dedicated to their very own success.
I bear in mind a time once I was positive that neither Marco Rubio nor Ted Cruz would endorse Donald Trump for president. So if Marco Rubio had been Trump’s vp for 4 years after which was elected president, might Rubio reinvent himself as a model of the Marco Rubio of 2016?
Oh hell yeah.
Completely.
Completely.
The “Nice Republican Hope” on the Time Journal cowl once more.
I feel that is very a lot as-needs-must scenario and it’s very type of ready-made. However I can simply think about a state of affairs by which Trump chooses somebody comparatively weak, and we’ve a way more vast open scenario in 2028 for the Republican nomination.
Which is how he’d in all probability prefer it.
Yeah, yeah.
That’s assuming he doesn’t run for a 3rd time period, proper?
Yeah.
Third time period developing, child.
I can’t even give it some thought. Let’s not go there.
We’re doing the third time period debate this time. Put it aside for the one hundred and first episode.
Ross, you by no means let me have any enjoyable.
Concluding on the malleability of politicians is at all times a fairly protected wager. So let’s finish there. And after the break, we are going to get frio y caliente.
Whoo!
Don’t you exhibit.
[LAUGHS]
[SMOOTH DRUMS]
So lastly it’s time for our “Sizzling/Chilly.” Who’s acquired it this week?
All proper. I’ve acquired it. And I’m going to remain political, however I’m going to go in a distinct path. I’m chilly on presidential candidates not making their medical information public or at the least popping out with very, very detailed physician’s reviews. And that is on my thoughts this week due to an ideal piece within the “Occasions” about how RFK Jr.—
Oh, my god.
— has revealed, all of those medical situations that he’s handled over time, together with having a useless parasitic worm in his head that he says ate a part of his mind.
TMI.
I’m going to I’m going to pause and let that sink in for some time earlier than we additionally notice that he talks about having AFib and having gone via mercury poisoning, one thing about hepatitis from intravenous drug use, however he’s not releasing his medical information. We’re simply speculated to take that and go, hmm, OK.
OK. However come on, that is fairly superb.
I would like extra.
And particularly given the Kennedy household’s, shall we embrace, longstanding historical past of not revealing critical medical issues.
Completely.
I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve some factors.
This makes me extra prone to vote for RFK.
It’s not a letter from his physician saying that he’s the healthiest individual ever.
And he’s the perfect of the bunch. That’s what I’m saying. Trump — what was it, just some months in the past — once more, launched a kind of physician’s notes that simply principally says, yeah, he’s an ideal man and he’ll dwell perpetually. I feel Biden has launched a number of pages of a health care provider’s abstract.
So look, I get the logic of FDR and JFK. You wish to convey energy and luxury folks if you’re a sitting president. However that makes it all of the extra necessary that when you’re a candidate, you simply lay all of it on the market.
And whereas I do actually, actually respect the parasitic worm story, I want all of it on the market for us. If that’s what he’s telling, what’s he not telling? I’m simply saying.
I’m sorry, RFK Jr. has introduced to the American public whereas he’s working for president that a part of his mind was eaten by a parasitic worm. I don’t suppose we want — I feel put the person within the White Home.
We have to know what sort was it. What was it?
Make him president by acclamation.
Having grown up in sub-Saharan Africa, principally, I’ve a lifelong worry to parasitic worms, simply on the whole. So this has been a troublesome couple of days for me.
I suppose I’d similar to to convey us full circle, all I wish to say is RFK Jr.- Kristi Noem 2024, simply the 2 candidates collectively.
The dream ticket!
The dream ticket.
Oh, my God.
Typically the one solution to take away a mind parasite if you’re out within the prairie — and only for the report, I’m anxious a few of our listeners will suppose that I’m mocking this. I’ve spent a variety of my center age dealing — not with mind parasites — however with extraordinarily weird tick-borne diseases. And so I really feel like once I hear this type of revelation from RFK, I don’t suppose that is weird. I really feel a deep kinship. Who is aware of what’s consuming all of our brains proper now?
Properly, that’s why I would like these medical information. You’ll be able to’t simply throw that on the market and count on me to go, oh, cool. I wish to know extra.
Present me the corpse of the worm.
Cease.
We’re going to place this episode out of its distress, and onward to a different yr of matter of opinion.
Bye, guys.
Ideas aloud.
Thanks, Lydia.
All proper. See you guys.
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Thanks for becoming a member of our dialog. We’re planning an upcoming episode in regards to the different veep, Kamala Harris, on the Democratic facet. If in case you have ideas or questions on her management, we wish to hear it. So share it with us in a voicemail by calling 212-556-7440, or you’ll be able to electronic mail us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com.
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“Matter of Opinion” is produced by Sophia Alvarez Boyd, Phoebe Lett and Derek Arthur. It’s edited by Jordana Hochman. Our truth test group is Kate Sinclair, Mary Marge Locker and Michelle Harris. Unique music by Isaac Jones, Efim Shapiro, Carole Sabouraud and Pat McCusker. Mixing by Carole Sabouraud. Viewers technique by Shannon Busta and Kristina Samulewski. Our govt producer is Annie-Rose Strasser.
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