Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. This is the Bloomberg Daybreak Asia podcast. I'm Brian Curtis along with Doug Krisner. Join us each day for the stories making news and moving markets in the Asia Pacific. You can subscribe to the show anywhere you get your podcasts and always on Bloomberg Radio, the Bloomberg Terminal, and the Bloomberg Business app. We have Kayley Lines with us. The President, while he probably did not intend to seem to blame politics for what happened.

Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. This is the Bloomberg Daybreak Asia podcast. I'm Brian Curtis along with Doug Krisner. Join us each day for the stories making news and moving markets in the Asia Pacific. You can subscribe to the show anywhere you get your podcasts and always on Bloomberg Radio, the Bloomberg Terminal, and the Bloomberg Business app. We have Kayley Lines with us. The President, while he probably did not intend to seem to blame politics for what happened.

Yeah, At the same time, though, he was talking about the political environment in the ways in which he would like to see it change. The President talking about this idea of lowering the temperature. Really what he was trying to achieve with this Oval Office address was acknowledging that, yes, by enlarge, the American country at this time is deeply divided on partisan lines. Things have gotten very heated, and that was on full display in tragic form in Pennsylvania rally yesterday when those shots went off and Donald Trump's life was threatened. So, in part, this is Joe Biden speaking not as a presidential candidate, but just as the president of the United States. In the aftermath is something that could be incredibly traumatizing for a country and what is a very difficult election cycle already. So yes, of course, given it was a politician who was in the line of fire, who was running for president, it is in its very nature political. But he is just using this forum, the privilege that he has as president, addressing the country from the Oval office, to try to diffuse the situation as much as possible, calling for politics to be an arena for a peaceful deed.

Yeah, At the same time, though, he was talking about the political environment in the ways in which he would like to see it change. The President talking about this idea of lowering the temperature. Really what he was trying to achieve with this Oval Office address was acknowledging that, yes, by enlarge, the American country at this time is deeply divided on partisan lines. Things have gotten very heated, and that was on full display in tragic form in Pennsylvania rally yesterday when those shots went off and Donald Trump's life was threatened. So, in part, this is Joe Biden speaking not as a presidential candidate, but just as the president of the United States. In the aftermath is something that could be incredibly traumatizing for a country and what is a very difficult election cycle already. So yes, of course, given it was a politician who was in the line of fire, who was running for president, it is in its very nature political. But he is just using this forum, the privilege that he has as president, addressing the country from the Oval office, to try to diffuse the situation as much as possible, calling for politics to be an arena for a peaceful deed.

Now I understand, and I think that Joe Biden wanted to be addressing this point. Unity is very important in the country. When President Trump raised his hand his arm and shouted fight, fight, what do you think he was most targeting in that fight?

Now I understand, and I think that Joe Biden wanted to be addressing this point. Unity is very important in the country. When President Trump raised his hand his arm and shouted fight, fight, what do you think he was most targeting in that fight?

Well, this is something we've been talking a lot about in the last twenty four hours. The signific against the words that Donald Trump chose to mouth the crowd that was assembled there. Of course, this happened in the immediate aftermath of him being fired at so we have to take that under consideration. But yes, this idea that he is trying to position himself as a fighter, as someone who is not only fighting the establishment in terms of the political environment, but also has been fighting through multiple indictments, fought through what he still claims to be a false result of the election in twenty twenty. This idea that he is continuing to fight and wants to continue to supporters to continue to fight on his behalf. The question we've been asking today is whether that in and of itself couldn't cite more political violence potentially. Is this election cycle goes on for the next four months or so. But I would say that Donald Trump and his campaigns, along with the Biden White House and campaign, have really been pushing the message of this as a moment for unity. There is no place for this violence. Everybody needs to take the temperature lower.

Well, this is something we've been talking a lot about in the last twenty four hours. The signific against the words that Donald Trump chose to mouth the crowd that was assembled there. Of course, this happened in the immediate aftermath of him being fired at so we have to take that under consideration. But yes, this idea that he is trying to position himself as a fighter, as someone who is not only fighting the establishment in terms of the political environment, but also has been fighting through multiple indictments, fought through what he still claims to be a false result of the election in twenty twenty. This idea that he is continuing to fight and wants to continue to supporters to continue to fight on his behalf. The question we've been asking today is whether that in and of itself couldn't cite more political violence potentially. Is this election cycle goes on for the next four months or so. But I would say that Donald Trump and his campaigns, along with the Biden White House and campaign, have really been pushing the message of this as a moment for unity. There is no place for this violence. Everybody needs to take the temperature lower.

I'm curious in what you hear from guests. Is it more frustration with a political climate in the United States, or is it hope or is it something else?

I'm curious in what you hear from guests. Is it more frustration with a political climate in the United States, or is it hope or is it something else?

I think right now, frankly, it's just somber. It's a little bit sad and disappointed that although we have seen this or peadly over the course of history, be it Ronald Reagan back in nineteen eighty one, or the assassination of presidents in the past like JFK, the idea that we keep getting ourselves to this place, I think is disappointing for a lot of people, especially patriots, those who are serving their country in office or otherwise. And we spoke with a number of Republican lawmakers on the show this evening, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin Congress and Brian's Style also of this state, who really talked about how they want to see the convention this week, which begins tomorrow, bea coming together of sorts that yes, this is a moment for sobriety of recognizing the tragedy that happened, but also a time to kind of unite and move forward. So I do think there is an optimistic spin trying to be put on what is an undeniably disturbing and tragic event, but also recognizing that is exactly what it was, and that's something got us here. Even if other people will assign different blos for what ultimately it was, this is still a moment we all found ourselves in.

I think right now, frankly, it's just somber. It's a little bit sad and disappointed that although we have seen this or peadly over the course of history, be it Ronald Reagan back in nineteen eighty one, or the assassination of presidents in the past like JFK, the idea that we keep getting ourselves to this place, I think is disappointing for a lot of people, especially patriots, those who are serving their country in office or otherwise. And we spoke with a number of Republican lawmakers on the show this evening, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin Congress and Brian's Style also of this state, who really talked about how they want to see the convention this week, which begins tomorrow, bea coming together of sorts that yes, this is a moment for sobriety of recognizing the tragedy that happened, but also a time to kind of unite and move forward. So I do think there is an optimistic spin trying to be put on what is an undeniably disturbing and tragic event, but also recognizing that is exactly what it was, and that's something got us here. Even if other people will assign different blos for what ultimately it was, this is still a moment we all found ourselves in.

So we'll have a number of investigations here. The FBI will investigate this as the primary investigation, one would think, but then also the House of Representatives is launching its own investigation, and then there will be a review by the Secret Service. Presumably the Secret Service will be more specific to their own role in protecting the president and presidential candidates, and the other investigations will be quite broad. Will they all overlap?

So we'll have a number of investigations here. The FBI will investigate this as the primary investigation, one would think, but then also the House of Representatives is launching its own investigation, and then there will be a review by the Secret Service. Presumably the Secret Service will be more specific to their own role in protecting the president and presidential candidates, and the other investigations will be quite broad. Will they all overlap?

Yeah, there very well could, because agencies will likely have to work in concert, as they did frankly, at the security of the actual event in Pennsylvania. It was not just the Secret Service there alone. They were also operating in pandem with local forces. So there are going to have to be many factors involved, and I'm sure a great deal of cooperation will be required. But what's interesting is is this idea that you did hear President Biden speaking about from the Opal Office just moments ago, that we still don't have all the facts identifying the motive. Kind of it seemed trying to signal to the nation that some patients may be required while the real debrief on this is done and the investigation is underway. That said, you do see lawmakers automatically, almost instantly calling for more scrutiny of the Secret Service. James Comer, who's the chair of the House Oversight Committee, has next Monday, July twenty second, called for the Director of the Secret Service to testify so certainly that agency in particular is going to be under an immense amount of scrutinies. A lot of people just have questions as to how yesterday happened. How someone with a semiotomatic rifle was able to get within one hundred and fifty yards of the former president.

Yeah, there very well could, because agencies will likely have to work in concert, as they did frankly, at the security of the actual event in Pennsylvania. It was not just the Secret Service there alone. They were also operating in pandem with local forces. So there are going to have to be many factors involved, and I'm sure a great deal of cooperation will be required. But what's interesting is is this idea that you did hear President Biden speaking about from the Opal Office just moments ago, that we still don't have all the facts identifying the motive. Kind of it seemed trying to signal to the nation that some patients may be required while the real debrief on this is done and the investigation is underway. That said, you do see lawmakers automatically, almost instantly calling for more scrutiny of the Secret Service. James Comer, who's the chair of the House Oversight Committee, has next Monday, July twenty second, called for the Director of the Secret Service to testify so certainly that agency in particular is going to be under an immense amount of scrutinies. A lot of people just have questions as to how yesterday happened. How someone with a semiotomatic rifle was able to get within one hundred and fifty yards of the former president.

Well, you saw two sides of the Secret Service, one the outstanding side and the other perhaps a lack of preparedness. We talked a little bit about the lack of preparedness, but within sixty seconds of that shooting, they had shot, They had shot the gunman, and had protected Donald Trump. I mean it was an amazing display of precision after the shots were actually fired.

Well, you saw two sides of the Secret Service, one the outstanding side and the other perhaps a lack of preparedness. We talked a little bit about the lack of preparedness, but within sixty seconds of that shooting, they had shot, They had shot the gunman, and had protected Donald Trump. I mean it was an amazing display of precision after the shots were actually fired.

Oh absolutely, I mean it was almost instantaneous. In watching the video, which we all have seen repeated whoever knows how many times now in the last twenty four hours, you hear the gunshots. You see Donald Trump reached toward his right ear, the one that of course ultimately was hit by the bullet, him go down, and just seconds later surrounded by multiple Secret Service agents who then escorted him off the stage. It was incredibly fast in terms of reaction time, and those lawmakers that we spoke with this evening, both acknowledged that very fast reaction from the Secret Service, even if at some point somewhere clearly there was a flaw in the security that allowed this twenty year old man from Pennsylvania to get up on that roof and take aim at Donald Trump and the life of another rally attendee put two others into critical condition. It can be both things. Can be true that was allowed to happen, and yet they still responded quickly and did their jobs in the aftermath.

Oh absolutely, I mean it was almost instantaneous. In watching the video, which we all have seen repeated whoever knows how many times now in the last twenty four hours, you hear the gunshots. You see Donald Trump reached toward his right ear, the one that of course ultimately was hit by the bullet, him go down, and just seconds later surrounded by multiple Secret Service agents who then escorted him off the stage. It was incredibly fast in terms of reaction time, and those lawmakers that we spoke with this evening, both acknowledged that very fast reaction from the Secret Service, even if at some point somewhere clearly there was a flaw in the security that allowed this twenty year old man from Pennsylvania to get up on that roof and take aim at Donald Trump and the life of another rally attendee put two others into critical condition. It can be both things. Can be true that was allowed to happen, and yet they still responded quickly and did their jobs in the aftermath.

Let me ask you a really difficult question. Well, I live outside the United States and have done so forty years, and you're not from the United States, right, You're from Canada? Is that correct?

Let me ask you a really difficult question. Well, I live outside the United States and have done so forty years, and you're not from the United States, right, You're from Canada? Is that correct?

No, I am from the US. I was born in northano but that's a military kid thing.

No, I am from the US. I was born in northano but that's a military kid thing.

Okay. Anyway, Sorry, I don't know where I got the Canadian side there. But I can still ask you the question, how can we understand what makes America great at the same time that we see this kind of action. I was trying to explain to my wife about how it's a different system in the United States is a little bit more of freedom and innovation. It's part of what makes the country great, but it also sometimes leads people astray.

Okay. Anyway, Sorry, I don't know where I got the Canadian side there. But I can still ask you the question, how can we understand what makes America great at the same time that we see this kind of action. I was trying to explain to my wife about how it's a different system in the United States is a little bit more of freedom and innovation. It's part of what makes the country great, but it also sometimes leads people astray.

I mean I would say that this does not happen in the United States and isolation. Certainly we have seen too many incidents of this. But if you just think back to recent history, the assassination of Shinzo Abe in Japan. Just two years ago, you had the Slovak prime minister shot at close range. Earlier this year, you've seen jirevolscenario in Brazil. Attacked Political figures are subject to political violence frequently all over the world. I think what's so interesting in this moment is the last time we saw anything like that someone at the level of a presidential candidate attempted an assassination attempted on them was Ronald Reagan in nineteen eighty one, before the inventive social media, before we all had access to information so easily, and the news could get around, the images could circulate misinformation too, for that matter, And I think all of that kind of feeds into the environment which clearly in some ways can be not only unproductive but dangerous and destructive to our collective effort in maintaining this democracy. All of that kind of can happen in your own individual echo chamber, and people can go to their corners and their ideas can be reinforced, and it can polarize all of us further. And I think that's why you're seeing elected officials on both sides of the aisle, at all ranges of government, really calling for that not to happen in this moment and try to unify the country which is supposed to be the leader of the free world and a shining example of democracy, even though this is an incredibly dark moment in this democracy.

I mean I would say that this does not happen in the United States and isolation. Certainly we have seen too many incidents of this. But if you just think back to recent history, the assassination of Shinzo Abe in Japan. Just two years ago, you had the Slovak prime minister shot at close range. Earlier this year, you've seen jirevolscenario in Brazil. Attacked Political figures are subject to political violence frequently all over the world. I think what's so interesting in this moment is the last time we saw anything like that someone at the level of a presidential candidate attempted an assassination attempted on them was Ronald Reagan in nineteen eighty one, before the inventive social media, before we all had access to information so easily, and the news could get around, the images could circulate misinformation too, for that matter, And I think all of that kind of feeds into the environment which clearly in some ways can be not only unproductive but dangerous and destructive to our collective effort in maintaining this democracy. All of that kind of can happen in your own individual echo chamber, and people can go to their corners and their ideas can be reinforced, and it can polarize all of us further. And I think that's why you're seeing elected officials on both sides of the aisle, at all ranges of government, really calling for that not to happen in this moment and try to unify the country which is supposed to be the leader of the free world and a shining example of democracy, even though this is an incredibly dark moment in this democracy.

Former President Donald Trump has said he will speak at the Republican National Convention, perhaps even before it gets under wagh. Do you think he will adhere to that? Do you think that he will talk about unity in the country or do you think that he'll have that edginess that he so often brandishes.

Former President Donald Trump has said he will speak at the Republican National Convention, perhaps even before it gets under wagh. Do you think he will adhere to that? Do you think that he will talk about unity in the country or do you think that he'll have that edginess that he so often brandishes.

Well, of course, it's impossible to know, and frankly, it's usually hard to predict Donald Trump's behavior, especially in the aftermath of what I'm sure was a traumatic exent, not only for him and those who were at the rally with him, but his family. And this is not something that you necessarily can just pretend never happened. I think the people around him, as we have heard repeatedly from the Trump campaign and others are calling for a taking down of the temperature. So it may very well change the tone and rhetoric not just from Donald Trump when he speaks, but the others who will be speaking over the course of this convention, which will last four days. But I would point out that Donald Trump did say on True Social today that he was considering delaying his trip to Milwaukee in the aftermath, and ultimately decided the shooter should not be dictating any changes to his schedule. So he is already here. He is in town. His plane arrived just a few hours ago, and we'll be seeing him at the convention over the course of the next several days. And of course we're still waiting for him to announce his vice presidential pick, and we're all wondering how his calculus as to who he was going to pick may have shifted or not as a result of the events of the weekend.

Well, of course, it's impossible to know, and frankly, it's usually hard to predict Donald Trump's behavior, especially in the aftermath of what I'm sure was a traumatic exent, not only for him and those who were at the rally with him, but his family. And this is not something that you necessarily can just pretend never happened. I think the people around him, as we have heard repeatedly from the Trump campaign and others are calling for a taking down of the temperature. So it may very well change the tone and rhetoric not just from Donald Trump when he speaks, but the others who will be speaking over the course of this convention, which will last four days. But I would point out that Donald Trump did say on True Social today that he was considering delaying his trip to Milwaukee in the aftermath, and ultimately decided the shooter should not be dictating any changes to his schedule. So he is already here. He is in town. His plane arrived just a few hours ago, and we'll be seeing him at the convention over the course of the next several days. And of course we're still waiting for him to announce his vice presidential pick, and we're all wondering how his calculus as to who he was going to pick may have shifted or not as a result of the events of the weekend.

Kayley, thank you very much for joining us. I know you were going to let me go in saying that you were from outside the country and not correct me. You can correct me anytime on.

Kayley, thank you very much for joining us. I know you were going to let me go in saying that you were from outside the country and not correct me. You can correct me anytime on.

Air if I make a mistake.

Air if I make a mistake.

Thank you so much for joining us. Kaylee Lines there co host a Balance of Power along with Jill Matthew. Joining us here on the program is Charles Stewart, the third Professor of political science at m i T. Professor, thank you very much for joining us here on Bloomberg Daybreak Asia. So we have the President speaking about trying to unify the discourse in the United States and time to cool down some of the political temperature. Is that what the country wants?

Thank you so much for joining us. Kaylee Lines there co host a Balance of Power along with Jill Matthew. Joining us here on the program is Charles Stewart, the third Professor of political science at m i T. Professor, thank you very much for joining us here on Bloomberg Daybreak Asia. So we have the President speaking about trying to unify the discourse in the United States and time to cool down some of the political temperature. Is that what the country wants?

Now? Well, I think it depends on what you mean by the country. I mean, certainly if we look at political leaders in the US, there's a division. Looking at social media. Over the last twenty four hours, a number of a number of prominent politicians have called for calm. Others, particularly I hate to say, on the Republican side, have been blaming Joe Biden and Democrats for raising the temperature. So there's a bit of you know, kind of division among political elits. My reading of my social media feed among the next level down, you know, kind of more can file politicians, you know, middle class people, just kind of normal people are recognizing that the assassination attempt against against Donald Trump is an indication of the heightened temperature of politics in the US, and they want to see it reduced. And so I think there's a real division between the elites and just regular Americans who are tired of so much, so much tension over politics.

Now? Well, I think it depends on what you mean by the country. I mean, certainly if we look at political leaders in the US, there's a division. Looking at social media. Over the last twenty four hours, a number of a number of prominent politicians have called for calm. Others, particularly I hate to say, on the Republican side, have been blaming Joe Biden and Democrats for raising the temperature. So there's a bit of you know, kind of division among political elits. My reading of my social media feed among the next level down, you know, kind of more can file politicians, you know, middle class people, just kind of normal people are recognizing that the assassination attempt against against Donald Trump is an indication of the heightened temperature of politics in the US, and they want to see it reduced. And so I think there's a real division between the elites and just regular Americans who are tired of so much, so much tension over politics.

Yeah, there's a lot of speculation as to whether or not what's happened has strengthened Donald Trump's position in his run for the presidency for a second time. Uh, and you know there are plenty, I suppose out there who think that, uh, you know, these these questions, Uh, the questions in the minds of voters are probably already kind of decided. They're they're likely to either vote Republican or Democrat based on a longer history. How do you see that? Do you do you see that as as changing now or as more of the same.

Yeah, there's a lot of speculation as to whether or not what's happened has strengthened Donald Trump's position in his run for the presidency for a second time. Uh, and you know there are plenty, I suppose out there who think that, uh, you know, these these questions, Uh, the questions in the minds of voters are probably already kind of decided. They're they're likely to either vote Republican or Democrat based on a longer history. How do you see that? Do you do you see that as as changing now or as more of the same.

Well, I mean, I think, especially in these days something like nine eight, five, ninety of Americans are pretty said in their ways. And so you're talking about the ten percent of Americans who are not engaged very much with politics and are easily swayed by kind of what happens in the moment. And so I think that what this is likely to do we kind of think about it. If we think it's now appropriate to think about these sorts of things, there will be folks who maybe are on the you know, on on the margin, who may have been leaning toward the Republican side, not all that comfortable Donald Trump may come over and support Donald Trump. But I also point out that, you know, we're several months away from the general election, and there's a lot more that's going to happen between now and the beginning of November. So I would I would discourage us from over interpreting the results right now from what's going to happen. Then.

Well, I mean, I think, especially in these days something like nine eight, five, ninety of Americans are pretty said in their ways. And so you're talking about the ten percent of Americans who are not engaged very much with politics and are easily swayed by kind of what happens in the moment. And so I think that what this is likely to do we kind of think about it. If we think it's now appropriate to think about these sorts of things, there will be folks who maybe are on the you know, on on the margin, who may have been leaning toward the Republican side, not all that comfortable Donald Trump may come over and support Donald Trump. But I also point out that, you know, we're several months away from the general election, and there's a lot more that's going to happen between now and the beginning of November. So I would I would discourage us from over interpreting the results right now from what's going to happen. Then.

Yeah, we're a daily news show. That's what we do. Unfortunately exactly. But the implicit in my comment, I suppose, was that it seems like in the old days, people voted for president not so much on the issues, but more on the character and the bearing of the individual and how strong, you know, the candidate was and exuded confidence and seemed like it could represent the United States well on the international stage. It seems like now I'm prepared to have you tell me that I'm wrong, that it that voters are now looking more at the brand of the party that they support more than the actual character of the individual.

Yeah, we're a daily news show. That's what we do. Unfortunately exactly. But the implicit in my comment, I suppose, was that it seems like in the old days, people voted for president not so much on the issues, but more on the character and the bearing of the individual and how strong, you know, the candidate was and exuded confidence and seemed like it could represent the United States well on the international stage. It seems like now I'm prepared to have you tell me that I'm wrong, that it that voters are now looking more at the brand of the party that they support more than the actual character of the individual.

Oh definitely, But I think at this moment, I mean, I think in the short term speaking of a daily news show. Mean, part of the Republican brand is very definitely along the lines of being strong, being aggressive, and Donald Trump himself is being kind of an alpha male. And so I think that his you know, the specific reaction of Donald Trump to these events will solidify his support. And among the again that small group of people who are on the edge, maybe not willing to heretofore declare their support of Donald Trump, you know, they're going to come on board because part of the Republican brand is being strong, being assertive, standing up to domestic enemies, and certainly Donald Trump is playing that role right now.

Oh definitely, But I think at this moment, I mean, I think in the short term speaking of a daily news show. Mean, part of the Republican brand is very definitely along the lines of being strong, being aggressive, and Donald Trump himself is being kind of an alpha male. And so I think that his you know, the specific reaction of Donald Trump to these events will solidify his support. And among the again that small group of people who are on the edge, maybe not willing to heretofore declare their support of Donald Trump, you know, they're going to come on board because part of the Republican brand is being strong, being assertive, standing up to domestic enemies, and certainly Donald Trump is playing that role right now.

Can can Donald Trump attract women and people of color in his role as that alpha male you described, Well, I.

Can can Donald Trump attract women and people of color in his role as that alpha male you described, Well, I.

Think that, you know, from what we're what we're what we're reading about public opinion reports, it certainly males regardless of race seemed to be drawn to Donald Trump a bit because of the alpha male, the kind of the aggressive type of personality. At the same time, that sort of personality type has driven away women, particularly more moderate women, the so called soccer moms, the ones living in the in the suburbs. And so again, I mean, it's tried to say, but it's too close to tell, I mean, too soon to tell. But you know, this has the possibility of pushing men and women actually further apart from each other once everything settles down.

Think that, you know, from what we're what we're what we're reading about public opinion reports, it certainly males regardless of race seemed to be drawn to Donald Trump a bit because of the alpha male, the kind of the aggressive type of personality. At the same time, that sort of personality type has driven away women, particularly more moderate women, the so called soccer moms, the ones living in the in the suburbs. And so again, I mean, it's tried to say, but it's too close to tell, I mean, too soon to tell. But you know, this has the possibility of pushing men and women actually further apart from each other once everything settles down.

In the president's comments, uh, it seemed to me that he inadvertently blamed politics for what happened.

In the president's comments, uh, it seemed to me that he inadvertently blamed politics for what happened.

Uh.

Uh.

We don't know that yet. We don't know what the motive of Thomas Matthew Crooks was. It may have been that he had had some mental illness, or that there were some other aspects of disaffection with life or or or hatred or disillusionment, or giving up or wanting to be famous. We don't know. Did the President speak too soon or that the comments that he made would resonate anyway, wouldn't.

We don't know that yet. We don't know what the motive of Thomas Matthew Crooks was. It may have been that he had had some mental illness, or that there were some other aspects of disaffection with life or or or hatred or disillusionment, or giving up or wanting to be famous. We don't know. Did the President speak too soon or that the comments that he made would resonate anyway, wouldn't.

They I think they would resonate anyway. And you know, if you on the point of kind of what are the motive motivations, we have to wait a way for the investigation. But I think it's worth pointing out that in the history of American political violence, in almost every case, the perpetrator of these sorts of events are people looking for attention and are rarely ideologically motivated. Yeah, and so I think that you know, maybe too early, really to attribute this to the kind of rising temperature of politics for this particular case. Nonetheless, the rising temperature of politics is a real thing, and so I mean it continues to be something to be concerned about, even if things would have been different, if you know, the temperature had been a long.

They I think they would resonate anyway. And you know, if you on the point of kind of what are the motive motivations, we have to wait a way for the investigation. But I think it's worth pointing out that in the history of American political violence, in almost every case, the perpetrator of these sorts of events are people looking for attention and are rarely ideologically motivated. Yeah, and so I think that you know, maybe too early, really to attribute this to the kind of rising temperature of politics for this particular case. Nonetheless, the rising temperature of politics is a real thing, and so I mean it continues to be something to be concerned about, even if things would have been different, if you know, the temperature had been a long.

Now, I want to ask you about the US being the greatest country in the world. That's what we hear from politicians US politicians all the time, and even outside of the United States we hear about American exceptionalism. It's this type of thing that comes up in markets a lot when we talk about innovation and success in business and such. But when people see acts like this, and it's no good. As an earlier guess, it's no good to say, well, this happens everywhere. Yes, that's correct, it does, but not to a certain extent that it happens in the United States. So how do Americans see the country? How can they describe the country as the greatest in the world? And by what standards are they saying so?

Now, I want to ask you about the US being the greatest country in the world. That's what we hear from politicians US politicians all the time, and even outside of the United States we hear about American exceptionalism. It's this type of thing that comes up in markets a lot when we talk about innovation and success in business and such. But when people see acts like this, and it's no good. As an earlier guess, it's no good to say, well, this happens everywhere. Yes, that's correct, it does, but not to a certain extent that it happens in the United States. So how do Americans see the country? How can they describe the country as the greatest in the world? And by what standards are they saying so?

Well, they're saying about it by a lot, by a lot of standards. And part of it is, you know, Americans know that you know when when America sneezes, the world gets pneumonia, and so when that's part of it, just simply the large scale of population in the economy and it's effect on the world. I mean, I think that's part of it. And a sense that the United States, when it imposes its power on the world, particularly military power, it more often than not gets its kind of gets its way. And so that's I mean, I think that's what Americans are thinking about when they think about America as being the greatest on earth, at least the ones who care about material things. I mean, there's an increasing number of Americans, I'd say overall, it's about a third quarter to a third of Americans who see the status of America in the world through a more religious lens, and you know, kind of see the American project as being one that's God driven. And in that case, it has nothing really to do necessarily with military or economic power, but it has to do with a belief that God has given Americans a particular role in the world, and that's one that we need to you know, assert on the rest of the world.

Well, they're saying about it by a lot, by a lot of standards. And part of it is, you know, Americans know that you know when when America sneezes, the world gets pneumonia, and so when that's part of it, just simply the large scale of population in the economy and it's effect on the world. I mean, I think that's part of it. And a sense that the United States, when it imposes its power on the world, particularly military power, it more often than not gets its kind of gets its way. And so that's I mean, I think that's what Americans are thinking about when they think about America as being the greatest on earth, at least the ones who care about material things. I mean, there's an increasing number of Americans, I'd say overall, it's about a third quarter to a third of Americans who see the status of America in the world through a more religious lens, and you know, kind of see the American project as being one that's God driven. And in that case, it has nothing really to do necessarily with military or economic power, but it has to do with a belief that God has given Americans a particular role in the world, and that's one that we need to you know, assert on the rest of the world.

Yeah, all right, professor, thank you very much for joining us here live on the program. Professor Charles Stewart, the third professor of political science at MIT. Joining us is our colleague Laura Davison, Bloomberg Politics Editor, Laura. So, we heard the president speak. My question to you is is is the ballot box now the battle box?

Yeah, all right, professor, thank you very much for joining us here live on the program. Professor Charles Stewart, the third professor of political science at MIT. Joining us is our colleague Laura Davison, Bloomberg Politics Editor, Laura. So, we heard the president speak. My question to you is is is the ballot box now the battle box?

That is really the question that he is trying to figure out. You know. Biden, you know, going into this weekend, was sort of in this political fight for his life. He had held off attacks for him to call out. But the senses coming out of this that that trump'space has really been galvanized. He has gained some prominent supporters and including Elon Musk and Bill Ackman, and that you know that Trump is the really has the momentum behind him well and you know, really putting Biden on his back foot.

That is really the question that he is trying to figure out. You know. Biden, you know, going into this weekend, was sort of in this political fight for his life. He had held off attacks for him to call out. But the senses coming out of this that that trump'space has really been galvanized. He has gained some prominent supporters and including Elon Musk and Bill Ackman, and that you know that Trump is the really has the momentum behind him well and you know, really putting Biden on his back foot.

Because I think the President it did make it sound like he thought that political discourse was kind of behind this. And I've mentioned many times this morning, we don't know yet, correct.

Because I think the President it did make it sound like he thought that political discourse was kind of behind this. And I've mentioned many times this morning, we don't know yet, correct.

Yes, there is very little known about the shooter. And this is you know, pretty typical in these cases that it takes quite some time and the investigations have to play out to figure out what's going on. And in this particular individual's case, there seems to be a very small, you know, footprint on what they said and did online. But what's what's really interesting is you see Biden very much leaning into this message of you know, we need to tone down the rhetoric. You know, we need to to vote to versus you know, the ballot focus on the ballot box, not bullets. There's a little bit of a different tone coming from the Trump campaign where there's less of a focus on this. It's more of a let's continue business as usual versus you know, kind of remarking this moment about the shooting.

Yes, there is very little known about the shooter. And this is you know, pretty typical in these cases that it takes quite some time and the investigations have to play out to figure out what's going on. And in this particular individual's case, there seems to be a very small, you know, footprint on what they said and did online. But what's what's really interesting is you see Biden very much leaning into this message of you know, we need to tone down the rhetoric. You know, we need to to vote to versus you know, the ballot focus on the ballot box, not bullets. There's a little bit of a different tone coming from the Trump campaign where there's less of a focus on this. It's more of a let's continue business as usual versus you know, kind of remarking this moment about the shooting.

Yeah, so that that's that could be troublesome for the president if he tones down his language, but former President Trump does not.

Yeah, so that that's that could be troublesome for the president if he tones down his language, but former President Trump does not.

Yes, and that's been you know, sort of an ongoing issue for for Democrats and Republicans, and that you hear Democrats frequently say, look, you know, Republicans are leaning into misinformation, disinformation, and we're trying to stamp that out.

Yes, and that's been you know, sort of an ongoing issue for for Democrats and Republicans, and that you hear Democrats frequently say, look, you know, Republicans are leaning into misinformation, disinformation, and we're trying to stamp that out.

You know.

You know.

Of course, this is something that is a problem across the political spectrum, not just you know, for members of one party or another. You know, we have seen from the rank and file Republicans, you know, an almost universal message of saying, hey, look, we need to you know, tamp this down. Let this be a way a call that maybe we've gotten too far in how we're speaking. We do know that, you know, this has happened before. You know, we've seen some similar calls after either the shooting of Gabby Giffords, after there was a shooting Steve Scalize, or Republican in the house was shot on a well practicing for a congressional baseball game. And yet the dial continues to get turned up. So history suggest there might be a period of cooling, but it doesn't necessarily last.

Of course, this is something that is a problem across the political spectrum, not just you know, for members of one party or another. You know, we have seen from the rank and file Republicans, you know, an almost universal message of saying, hey, look, we need to you know, tamp this down. Let this be a way a call that maybe we've gotten too far in how we're speaking. We do know that, you know, this has happened before. You know, we've seen some similar calls after either the shooting of Gabby Giffords, after there was a shooting Steve Scalize, or Republican in the house was shot on a well practicing for a congressional baseball game. And yet the dial continues to get turned up. So history suggest there might be a period of cooling, but it doesn't necessarily last.

We don't know all that much about Thomas Matthew Crooks, but what we do know, I mean, he was a registered Republican. What we do know is that it doesn't seem that he was that political and also he didn't have a criminal history, so it's really curious exactly what his motivation was.

We don't know all that much about Thomas Matthew Crooks, but what we do know, I mean, he was a registered Republican. What we do know is that it doesn't seem that he was that political and also he didn't have a criminal history, so it's really curious exactly what his motivation was.

What do you know, Yeah, you know, we don't really know much at all about him. You know, it's really difficult to draw any sorts of conclusions even on just you know, what party someone is registered as there's all sorts of reasons why keep a registered for one party or another? And you know it particularly someone that isn't you know, outwardly partisan, doesn't participate in you know, political activities. It's really hard to know sort of what his frame of mind was and what his political beliefs might have been.

What do you know, Yeah, you know, we don't really know much at all about him. You know, it's really difficult to draw any sorts of conclusions even on just you know, what party someone is registered as there's all sorts of reasons why keep a registered for one party or another? And you know it particularly someone that isn't you know, outwardly partisan, doesn't participate in you know, political activities. It's really hard to know sort of what his frame of mind was and what his political beliefs might have been.

And do we know much about what President Trump is likely to say when he speaks, And do we even know when he will actually speak? Is it likely before the Republican National Convention actually starts.

And do we know much about what President Trump is likely to say when he speaks, And do we even know when he will actually speak? Is it likely before the Republican National Convention actually starts.

We do not know.

We do not know.

You know, he is expected to have his big speech, you know, his sort of accepting the nomination speech on Thursday evening. It is possible he could say something before then. You know, really the whole week has been thrown into a bit of chaos, obviously after you know, the attempted assassination on Saturday night. So we are we are learning details, you know, as they come out bit by bit. There's been even on the ground, a lot of discussion among security, you know, would there be ramped up security. There was a briefing from the Secret Service earlier today. They say, look, we're been working on this plan for eighteen months. We think that's this plan. You know, we've got this. We're going to continue with the plan that we have. So there's been a lot of uh, you know, sort of last minute, you know, running around trying to figure out, you know, what does what does this event look like in the wake of such a terrible event, you know, just two days before.

You know, he is expected to have his big speech, you know, his sort of accepting the nomination speech on Thursday evening. It is possible he could say something before then. You know, really the whole week has been thrown into a bit of chaos, obviously after you know, the attempted assassination on Saturday night. So we are we are learning details, you know, as they come out bit by bit. There's been even on the ground, a lot of discussion among security, you know, would there be ramped up security. There was a briefing from the Secret Service earlier today. They say, look, we're been working on this plan for eighteen months. We think that's this plan. You know, we've got this. We're going to continue with the plan that we have. So there's been a lot of uh, you know, sort of last minute, you know, running around trying to figure out, you know, what does what does this event look like in the wake of such a terrible event, you know, just two days before.

Laura, in your own reporting, are you finding people willing to talk here? I mean, is it easy for you to get access to Paul's out there and uh and actually many in society to to voice what they what they think is happening with the country.

Laura, in your own reporting, are you finding people willing to talk here? I mean, is it easy for you to get access to Paul's out there and uh and actually many in society to to voice what they what they think is happening with the country.

Yes, you know, really the streets of Milwaukee right now are crawling with people who really love and care and are passionate about politics and political discourse. You know, just going through the airport this morning, walking around the streets here, there are members of Congress. There are local party chairs there, you know, people who are delegates. You know, those are rank and file community members who you know, but want to come and represent their state to vote in the convention. And people are happy and willing to talk about this, and you know, I think kind of recognize that this is a you know, a race defining and and race changing moment.

Yes, you know, really the streets of Milwaukee right now are crawling with people who really love and care and are passionate about politics and political discourse. You know, just going through the airport this morning, walking around the streets here, there are members of Congress. There are local party chairs there, you know, people who are delegates. You know, those are rank and file community members who you know, but want to come and represent their state to vote in the convention. And people are happy and willing to talk about this, and you know, I think kind of recognize that this is a you know, a race defining and and race changing moment.

So are you hearing more hope or disillusionment there?

So are you hearing more hope or disillusionment there?

It is a mix of the two. One, there is some hope that perhaps this is a wake up call, but also disillusionment that this keeps happening in many different ways, and yet you know, we seem powerless to stop it.

It is a mix of the two. One, there is some hope that perhaps this is a wake up call, but also disillusionment that this keeps happening in many different ways, and yet you know, we seem powerless to stop it.

Yeah, all right, Laura. I was going to ask you, is there a greater job that you know of? But we don't have time. I know what your answer would be. I love it. Laura Davison with us Bloomberg Politics Editor. This is the Bloomberg Daybreak Asia podcast, bringing you the stories making news and moving markets in the Asia Pacific. Visit the Bloomberg Podcast channel on YouTube to get more episodes of this and other shows from Bloomberg. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen and always on Bloomberg Radio, the Bloomberg Terminal, and the Bloomberg Business app

Yeah, all right, Laura. I was going to ask you, is there a greater job that you know of? But we don't have time. I know what your answer would be. I love it. Laura Davison with us Bloomberg Politics Editor. This is the Bloomberg Daybreak Asia podcast, bringing you the stories making news and moving markets in the Asia Pacific. Visit the Bloomberg Podcast channel on YouTube to get more episodes of this and other shows from Bloomberg. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen and always on Bloomberg Radio, the Bloomberg Terminal, and the Bloomberg Business app