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You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch Just Live weekdays at noon Eastern on Appocarplay and then Rouno with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube. You're on Bloomberg TV and Radio.

You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch Just Live weekdays at noon Eastern on Appocarplay and then Rouno with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube. You're on Bloomberg TV and Radio.

I'm Joe Matthew. Indeed, Kaylee Lines is back with us today as we usher in the start of an important summit this week in Washington, the seventy fifth anniversary of NATO and Kayleie, we've been talking about this so much through the guise of Joe Biden's well being. He's going to be speaking later today. We'll bring you that address, of course, around five o'clock at least some of his words, to see how he's feeling and how he's projecting himself. But of course this is a critical time for the Alliance, Kaylee to be meeting, not only because of Ukraine, but uncertainty throughout Europe following elections over the past week or so here and a lot of questions about the future of politics here in the US.

I'm Joe Matthew. Indeed, Kaylee Lines is back with us today as we usher in the start of an important summit this week in Washington, the seventy fifth anniversary of NATO and Kayleie, we've been talking about this so much through the guise of Joe Biden's well being. He's going to be speaking later today. We'll bring you that address, of course, around five o'clock at least some of his words, to see how he's feeling and how he's projecting himself. But of course this is a critical time for the Alliance, Kaylee to be meeting, not only because of Ukraine, but uncertainty throughout Europe following elections over the past week or so here and a lot of questions about the future of politics here in the US.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Absolutely, these countries leaders may also be bracing for the potential return of Donald Trump, questioning what that might mean for this alliance that now, of course is much larger as it celebrates at seventy fifth anniversary, with the addition of Sweden and Finland, of course that we've seen under this administration. But you're absolutely right, Joe, we do expect that Ukraine will feature highly as well as concerns about what Russia could do next if it indeed is victorious in Ukraine. And that's a concern that especially the Baltic states we know very much have and we want to bring in now a foreign minister from one of those states, Latvia, the country Biba Breiza is with us now here in our Washington, d C studio. She is indeed the Latvia and foreign minister minister. Thank you so much for being with us here on Bloomberg TV.

Absolutely, these countries leaders may also be bracing for the potential return of Donald Trump, questioning what that might mean for this alliance that now, of course is much larger as it celebrates at seventy fifth anniversary, with the addition of Sweden and Finland, of course that we've seen under this administration. But you're absolutely right, Joe, we do expect that Ukraine will feature highly as well as concerns about what Russia could do next if it indeed is victorious in Ukraine. And that's a concern that especially the Baltic states we know very much have and we want to bring in now a foreign minister from one of those states, Latvia, the country Biba Breiza is with us now here in our Washington, d C studio. She is indeed the Latvia and foreign minister minister. Thank you so much for being with us here on Bloomberg TV.

Thanks for having me and radio.

Thanks for having me and radio.

Welcome to Washington. I'm sure it's going to be a busy several days for you and very hot ones. Yes, what are you hoping to leave here with? What is your outcome that you were looking for from this?

Welcome to Washington. I'm sure it's going to be a busy several days for you and very hot ones. Yes, what are you hoping to leave here with? What is your outcome that you were looking for from this?

All? Right?

All? Right?

So, naitoy' is a defense alliance has a particular meaning. It's political military alliance. The only of its kind. So the primary purpose of that is of course the defense of allies. So there is a lot of change that is happening with Russia's attack on Ukraine. So we have moved from out of area operations where we had choice of sending people to Iraq you know, for six months, and then rotating them again to a collective defense. Back to collective defense what we had in the Cold War times, with General Eisenhower establishing the basis of that after the Second World War. So defending allies, having troops in place, having capabilities, having command control in place, ability to reinforce, and so on and so forth. So that's that package is the most important outcome. It goes hand in hand with support Ukraine obviously because what Russia is doing in Ukraine is something that is considered the threat to all allies. So supporting Ukraine and its liberation fight is crucially important. Fighting for freedom, that's what we all are there for. We all want freedom, right, So Ukraine, winn Ukraine is very important for all of us. And then of course working with a wider range of partners from Indo Pacific for example, they will be here for the summit to address other challenges and threats, such as you know, challenges from China, constant cyber attacks. You will have seen the trying to change the balance of power globally, So that is also important for all of us because it's not just about Russia's conventional war. It's also about the challenges to all of us to who we are and how we function as democracies.

So, naitoy' is a defense alliance has a particular meaning. It's political military alliance. The only of its kind. So the primary purpose of that is of course the defense of allies. So there is a lot of change that is happening with Russia's attack on Ukraine. So we have moved from out of area operations where we had choice of sending people to Iraq you know, for six months, and then rotating them again to a collective defense. Back to collective defense what we had in the Cold War times, with General Eisenhower establishing the basis of that after the Second World War. So defending allies, having troops in place, having capabilities, having command control in place, ability to reinforce, and so on and so forth. So that's that package is the most important outcome. It goes hand in hand with support Ukraine obviously because what Russia is doing in Ukraine is something that is considered the threat to all allies. So supporting Ukraine and its liberation fight is crucially important. Fighting for freedom, that's what we all are there for. We all want freedom, right, So Ukraine, winn Ukraine is very important for all of us. And then of course working with a wider range of partners from Indo Pacific for example, they will be here for the summit to address other challenges and threats, such as you know, challenges from China, constant cyber attacks. You will have seen the trying to change the balance of power globally, So that is also important for all of us because it's not just about Russia's conventional war. It's also about the challenges to all of us to who we are and how we function as democracies.

There's a conversation of course in Europe right now about levels of commitment when it comes to Ukraine, but also NATO more broadly as the alliance. Because of your border, you're on the front lines of protecting democracy as a NATO member, do you worry about a fissure in European politics having seen elections recently when it comes to this.

There's a conversation of course in Europe right now about levels of commitment when it comes to Ukraine, but also NATO more broadly as the alliance. Because of your border, you're on the front lines of protecting democracy as a NATO member, do you worry about a fissure in European politics having seen elections recently when it comes to this.

Issue, well, NATO has had a borderline with with Russia since it was established in Norway and other places. So now it's longer. Now it's Finland joined. The Baltic States have been born in Russia since we were established one hundred and five years one hundred and six years ago, and since we joined NATO twenty years ago. So we are all peaceful countries, but we want to continue being peaceful countries. So that's why we established that defense capability together with the US, and US is an essential member of that alliance, so that link is crucially important. So of course we are interested in successful US. Of course we have a share in US is concerned, whether it's China, whether it's other challenges that we face together. So that's that's why we are together here in Washington as native alliance to address any threat to any LA.

Issue, well, NATO has had a borderline with with Russia since it was established in Norway and other places. So now it's longer. Now it's Finland joined. The Baltic States have been born in Russia since we were established one hundred and five years one hundred and six years ago, and since we joined NATO twenty years ago. So we are all peaceful countries, but we want to continue being peaceful countries. So that's why we established that defense capability together with the US, and US is an essential member of that alliance, so that link is crucially important. So of course we are interested in successful US. Of course we have a share in US is concerned, whether it's China, whether it's other challenges that we face together. So that's that's why we are together here in Washington as native alliance to address any threat to any LA.

Well, it's you though, among the allies that potentially are most immediately affected. If Russia were to decide to move naant Ukraine Nate, but that exactly Article five. Theoretically, at any the other Baltic country, any country in the alliance were to be attacked, theoretically that would trigger all of the NATO forces coming together in a defensive way. How should we think about what that attack could actually mean? Knowing we've seen hybrid attacks, cyber attacks, for example, Russia has been conducting in the region, turning to China as well, moving buoys in the river that separates Estonia in Russia, how should we be quantifying what an Article five triggering event actually might be. Could it be something like that?

Well, it's you though, among the allies that potentially are most immediately affected. If Russia were to decide to move naant Ukraine Nate, but that exactly Article five. Theoretically, at any the other Baltic country, any country in the alliance were to be attacked, theoretically that would trigger all of the NATO forces coming together in a defensive way. How should we think about what that attack could actually mean? Knowing we've seen hybrid attacks, cyber attacks, for example, Russia has been conducting in the region, turning to China as well, moving buoys in the river that separates Estonia in Russia, how should we be quantifying what an Article five triggering event actually might be. Could it be something like that?

So the important part is actually to have that situational awareness which means to have the intelligence reconnaissance capabilities to understand the threats. That means both on the Russian side, but also globally. It's about terrorists, it's about cyber attacks from wherever they can come. We have called out also Iran on cyber attacks. So it's important to have that situational awareness to be ready because once you know what is happening, it's easier to respond. And this is where NATO together we have invested so much. That's why we have that defense growth in terms of defense spenning. That's why we have additional defense capabilities, and that means expensive technology, satellites, that means, you know, reconnaissance capability is that means drawing all the data together, working with the private sector, giving back to the private sector, private sector contributing to that open source awareness. So it's a pretty complicated algorithm. But all together as the alliance, it's not about the Baltic States, it's about whole of NATO because we are in it together. And once once we have that situation awareness, once we know what is threatening us or not, we are able to respond as necessary. So for now, there is no direct military threat to any of the allies because we have invested so much work to make sure that we have that deterrance capability and the terrence is what we are seeking.

So the important part is actually to have that situational awareness which means to have the intelligence reconnaissance capabilities to understand the threats. That means both on the Russian side, but also globally. It's about terrorists, it's about cyber attacks from wherever they can come. We have called out also Iran on cyber attacks. So it's important to have that situational awareness to be ready because once you know what is happening, it's easier to respond. And this is where NATO together we have invested so much. That's why we have that defense growth in terms of defense spenning. That's why we have additional defense capabilities, and that means expensive technology, satellites, that means, you know, reconnaissance capability is that means drawing all the data together, working with the private sector, giving back to the private sector, private sector contributing to that open source awareness. So it's a pretty complicated algorithm. But all together as the alliance, it's not about the Baltic States, it's about whole of NATO because we are in it together. And once once we have that situation awareness, once we know what is threatening us or not, we are able to respond as necessary. So for now, there is no direct military threat to any of the allies because we have invested so much work to make sure that we have that deterrance capability and the terrence is what we are seeking.

Well, Minister, I know you're here to engage with the administration and your allies. You're at the convention center just a couple of blocks away from where we are, and you're not here to talk about Donald Trump. But there is a debate about redefining Article five right now if he were re elected, and he's called into question whether certain members would qualify for Article five protection based on their contributions. Are you concerned about or do you expect Article five to be redefined if Donald Trump is realized.

Well, Minister, I know you're here to engage with the administration and your allies. You're at the convention center just a couple of blocks away from where we are, and you're not here to talk about Donald Trump. But there is a debate about redefining Article five right now if he were re elected, and he's called into question whether certain members would qualify for Article five protection based on their contributions. Are you concerned about or do you expect Article five to be redefined if Donald Trump is realized.

No, we don't expect that. We worked very well with the Trump administration before, and you know it's we work with all the administrations and don't recommend to any politician to comment on another countries internal politics. But whoever is elected, we will work with him, her, them. And it's important for America to know that it has friends and allies. I mean for all the countries, it's important to have those friends and allies, and there's no closer friend or allies at any country in Natal four for America, and I think That's why. Also when President Trump was in power the previous time, it was very clear that they were all types of room that he would withdraw America from NATO and so on and so forth. But it never happened because at the end, we are better stronger together. And as I said, currently, the defense spending is that the rise as never before. Twenty three allies are about two percent of GDP on defense and it will be rising.

No, we don't expect that. We worked very well with the Trump administration before, and you know it's we work with all the administrations and don't recommend to any politician to comment on another countries internal politics. But whoever is elected, we will work with him, her, them. And it's important for America to know that it has friends and allies. I mean for all the countries, it's important to have those friends and allies, and there's no closer friend or allies at any country in Natal four for America, and I think That's why. Also when President Trump was in power the previous time, it was very clear that they were all types of room that he would withdraw America from NATO and so on and so forth. But it never happened because at the end, we are better stronger together. And as I said, currently, the defense spending is that the rise as never before. Twenty three allies are about two percent of GDP on defense and it will be rising.

Speaking of spending money on defense or other countries defense, we don't only have questions about what the selection means for potentially US membership in NATO, but also the amount of money the US is going to be willing to continue to provide to Ukraine. It was very difficult for Congress to get the aid passed earlier this year. Across the finish line, if the US kid no longer provides that aid to Ukraine, what would that mean for other NATO countries? If Ukraine is less in its ability to defend against the Russian invasion as a result.

Speaking of spending money on defense or other countries defense, we don't only have questions about what the selection means for potentially US membership in NATO, but also the amount of money the US is going to be willing to continue to provide to Ukraine. It was very difficult for Congress to get the aid passed earlier this year. Across the finish line, if the US kid no longer provides that aid to Ukraine, what would that mean for other NATO countries? If Ukraine is less in its ability to defend against the Russian invasion as a result.

Let me be straightforward, I think that it's in the US interest to provide the t AID because most of the money, almost all of it goes back into US economy. In the U s defense industry sort of increasing its own capabilities research capabilities. Also in terms of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, it's both the war of the past, but also a war of the future from what we are seeing with the drones, with targeting through mobile phones, with applications used for identifying the targets, and so on and so forth. So I think all our military and defense industries are really working closely with Ukrainians to learn and prepare for those future wars that we might be faced with wherever we don't know, We don't know where it can arise. So from that perspective, US aid to Ukraine is a help to the US itself to prepare for the future.

Let me be straightforward, I think that it's in the US interest to provide the t AID because most of the money, almost all of it goes back into US economy. In the U s defense industry sort of increasing its own capabilities research capabilities. Also in terms of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, it's both the war of the past, but also a war of the future from what we are seeing with the drones, with targeting through mobile phones, with applications used for identifying the targets, and so on and so forth. So I think all our military and defense industries are really working closely with Ukrainians to learn and prepare for those future wars that we might be faced with wherever we don't know, We don't know where it can arise. So from that perspective, US aid to Ukraine is a help to the US itself to prepare for the future.

Do you expect to leave the summit with a clearer path for Ukrainian membership listen?

Do you expect to leave the summit with a clearer path for Ukrainian membership listen?

Ukraine is one of the strongest fighting forces in Europe today. I mean it's a country. It's the hour that has shown, with the biggest army in Europe that it's able to defend itself. Yes, with the Allies help obviously, and that will make NATO stronger, it will make America stronger. Once Ukraine joints.

Ukraine is one of the strongest fighting forces in Europe today. I mean it's a country. It's the hour that has shown, with the biggest army in Europe that it's able to defend itself. Yes, with the Allies help obviously, and that will make NATO stronger, it will make America stronger. Once Ukraine joints.

Should there be a timeline.

Should there be a timeline.

Possibly again, you know, it depends on the success on the battlefield. The sooner Ukraine is victorious and we can reach a deal on the end of the war. As sooner we can sort of finish financing the war, but very clearly also then we can have a sort of post war architecture with Ukraine in it.

Possibly again, you know, it depends on the success on the battlefield. The sooner Ukraine is victorious and we can reach a deal on the end of the war. As sooner we can sort of finish financing the war, but very clearly also then we can have a sort of post war architecture with Ukraine in it.

But effectively the war needs to end first before any of that.

But effectively the war needs to end first before any of that.

Ukraine needs to achieve that victory is that it has to define what is a victory. Nobody else but Ukraine has to define what is a victory on the battlefield, and we have to be there to support them to achieve that.

Ukraine needs to achieve that victory is that it has to define what is a victory. Nobody else but Ukraine has to define what is a victory on the battlefield, and we have to be there to support them to achieve that.

What do you make of the conversation that we're having here in the United States about our president now eighty one years old, in questions about whether he has the mental acuity to continue, whether his counterparts in NATO think that he should continue in the job. What's your thought? What does laugh via?

What do you make of the conversation that we're having here in the United States about our president now eighty one years old, in questions about whether he has the mental acuity to continue, whether his counterparts in NATO think that he should continue in the job. What's your thought? What does laugh via?

Well, I've met President Biden both when I worked at NATO, and I look forward to seeing him tomorrow as a summit, and I wish at age of eighty one I would be as strong as he is. We all have our ups and downs, you know, at a moment so I don't expect it to lead any kind of tragic outcome or anything. But quite clearly, American democracy will be able to handle all the challenges, and you will find the way through this or through other challenges. I don't doubt that. And you will be as strong as ever and as powerful as ever.

Well, I've met President Biden both when I worked at NATO, and I look forward to seeing him tomorrow as a summit, and I wish at age of eighty one I would be as strong as he is. We all have our ups and downs, you know, at a moment so I don't expect it to lead any kind of tragic outcome or anything. But quite clearly, American democracy will be able to handle all the challenges, and you will find the way through this or through other challenges. I don't doubt that. And you will be as strong as ever and as powerful as ever.

And so essentially what you're saying is the strength of the country is more about the country as a whole versus the figurehead.

And so essentially what you're saying is the strength of the country is more about the country as a whole versus the figurehead.

Again, the figure head is important, obviously, I mean, we all look up, we describe the free world absolutely, so it's very important. But in the same time, obviously we all have our ups and downs, and we cannot predict when that happens. But I don't know that US is the strongest ever.

Again, the figure head is important, obviously, I mean, we all look up, we describe the free world absolutely, so it's very important. But in the same time, obviously we all have our ups and downs, and we cannot predict when that happens. But I don't know that US is the strongest ever.

We'll be carrying his remarks when he speaks marking seventy five years. What do you want to hear from President Biden later today?

We'll be carrying his remarks when he speaks marking seventy five years. What do you want to hear from President Biden later today?

I want to hear that America and the link with allies as the strongest evers, that we are as united as ever, and the strength and the belief in freedom and democracy both in Europe and America, and support you Ukraine.

I want to hear that America and the link with allies as the strongest evers, that we are as united as ever, and the strength and the belief in freedom and democracy both in Europe and America, and support you Ukraine.

All right, minister, we appreciate you joining us here at Bloomberg Today. That's lappyas Foreign Minister Byba Braja here with us around the table and enjoy the remainder of your very hot time here in Washington. Make sure to hydrate. We appreciate your time, minister. Thank you.

All right, minister, we appreciate you joining us here at Bloomberg Today. That's lappyas Foreign Minister Byba Braja here with us around the table and enjoy the remainder of your very hot time here in Washington. Make sure to hydrate. We appreciate your time, minister. Thank you.

You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Can just live weekdays at noon Eastern on Apple car Play and enroun Oo with the Bloomberg Business app. You can also listen live on Amazon Alexa, our flagship New York station, Jo Say Alexa play Bloomberg eleven thirty.

You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Can just live weekdays at noon Eastern on Apple car Play and enroun Oo with the Bloomberg Business app. You can also listen live on Amazon Alexa, our flagship New York station, Jo Say Alexa play Bloomberg eleven thirty.

Coming to you live from Washington, which is a busy town. I must say this week a lot of roads leading to the Bloomberg office here blocked off closed. I think traffic was a nightmare this morning because there are a lot of important people in town, Joe, including the lead NATO countries. There's more than thirty of them, and it's all teeing up a verty big moment or moments plural for President Joe Biden.

Coming to you live from Washington, which is a busy town. I must say this week a lot of roads leading to the Bloomberg office here blocked off closed. I think traffic was a nightmare this morning because there are a lot of important people in town, Joe, including the lead NATO countries. There's more than thirty of them, and it's all teeing up a verty big moment or moments plural for President Joe Biden.

Yeah, if you want some real elitist complaining here, you can't get around the nation's capital. It's brutal outside. It's also about one hundred degrees if we put those two together. That's kind of the backdrop for this summit. And can we welcome Kaylee Lines back. It's great to see you.

Yeah, if you want some real elitist complaining here, you can't get around the nation's capital. It's brutal outside. It's also about one hundred degrees if we put those two together. That's kind of the backdrop for this summit. And can we welcome Kaylee Lines back. It's great to see you.

We missed you for the last week.

We missed you for the last week.

Now that we get serious about some stuff here, this is an important moment. Joe Biden's going to speak around five o'clock about four hours from now. That will be followed by his news conference on Thursday. The world is watching, not just Washington, and we'll bring you up to day on what's been happening on Capitol Hill earlier today. Let's bring in Nick Watams first to talk about what's behind this summit and what we should be looking for. He runs our national security coverage here in Washington, and it's great to see you back here.

Now that we get serious about some stuff here, this is an important moment. Joe Biden's going to speak around five o'clock about four hours from now. That will be followed by his news conference on Thursday. The world is watching, not just Washington, and we'll bring you up to day on what's been happening on Capitol Hill earlier today. Let's bring in Nick Watams first to talk about what's behind this summit and what we should be looking for. He runs our national security coverage here in Washington, and it's great to see you back here.

Nick.

Nick.

This is a big deal, seventy five years. It's got a bit of a cloud hanging over it because of domestic politics, questions about Joe Biden. All of these leaders are being asked about their relationships with him, but also some of the uncertainty following elections in Europe. This is a peculiar moment for this summit.

This is a big deal, seventy five years. It's got a bit of a cloud hanging over it because of domestic politics, questions about Joe Biden. All of these leaders are being asked about their relationships with him, but also some of the uncertainty following elections in Europe. This is a peculiar moment for this summit.

Yeah, I mean, it's the timing in a lot of ways could not be worse. I mean, this was supposed to be a summit that was going to be a celebration of NATO talk about Unity project, a real show of force against Vladimir Putin, I talk about the defense of Ukraine. In a lot of ways, it's doing exactly the opposite. So you have a lot of concern about the long term viability of these leaders. Obviously Joe Biden over his age, but the fact that he trails Donald Trump so much in the polls. French President Emmanuel Macron made an election gamble that didn't turn out so well for him. He's looking hobbled Germany as well, rise of the far right in a lot of ways. So we have these leaders coming in where their focus really is elsewhere. And then underneath all of that you have the fact that they can't agree on Ukraine. So again we get into this dynamic where they're offering, dangling the idea of membership at some point for Ukraine, but not giving a firm timeline on when that might happen. And that's the thing that Ukraine really wants.

Yeah, I mean, it's the timing in a lot of ways could not be worse. I mean, this was supposed to be a summit that was going to be a celebration of NATO talk about Unity project, a real show of force against Vladimir Putin, I talk about the defense of Ukraine. In a lot of ways, it's doing exactly the opposite. So you have a lot of concern about the long term viability of these leaders. Obviously Joe Biden over his age, but the fact that he trails Donald Trump so much in the polls. French President Emmanuel Macron made an election gamble that didn't turn out so well for him. He's looking hobbled Germany as well, rise of the far right in a lot of ways. So we have these leaders coming in where their focus really is elsewhere. And then underneath all of that you have the fact that they can't agree on Ukraine. So again we get into this dynamic where they're offering, dangling the idea of membership at some point for Ukraine, but not giving a firm timeline on when that might happen. And that's the thing that Ukraine really wants.

And of course Ukraine is going to make the case in person here President vlat of Mrzolinski is in Washington for the summit. If not an invitation to be a member. Can Ukraine expect anything tangible to come from NATO within the.

And of course Ukraine is going to make the case in person here President vlat of Mrzolinski is in Washington for the summit. If not an invitation to be a member. Can Ukraine expect anything tangible to come from NATO within the.

Next few days.

Next few days.

Well, I think what you will see, what we're hearing is that there will be an announcement around air defense. What they really want is additional air defenses, so maybe some more patriots, a few more batteries, something like that, and then a potential form of a longer term commitment. But what we're not really going to see is anything that actually changes the situation on the ground that would allow Ukraine to expelpell Russian forces from its territory. We're going to see Ukraine basically being a bunker mode. And so that's really the bigger question on Ukraine that hovers over this whole thing. Okay, you're going to continue flowing weapons to Ukraine, but not give them the weapons they need to expel Russia for good. So then what is the long term endgame here? Do you just keep going indefinitely. Something they have not been able to.

Well, I think what you will see, what we're hearing is that there will be an announcement around air defense. What they really want is additional air defenses, so maybe some more patriots, a few more batteries, something like that, and then a potential form of a longer term commitment. But what we're not really going to see is anything that actually changes the situation on the ground that would allow Ukraine to expelpell Russian forces from its territory. We're going to see Ukraine basically being a bunker mode. And so that's really the bigger question on Ukraine that hovers over this whole thing. Okay, you're going to continue flowing weapons to Ukraine, but not give them the weapons they need to expel Russia for good. So then what is the long term endgame here? Do you just keep going indefinitely. Something they have not been able to.

Answer questions about you mentioned air defense is the use of F sixteen's, which we labored over for months. Nick, we talked to you about it. It was a no then maybe than a yes now apparently there are some real challenges in training pilots, even getting runways to be adaptable in Ukraine? Was this idea of failure? Did we finally say yes? At one point we should have said no.

Answer questions about you mentioned air defense is the use of F sixteen's, which we labored over for months. Nick, we talked to you about it. It was a no then maybe than a yes now apparently there are some real challenges in training pilots, even getting runways to be adaptable in Ukraine? Was this idea of failure? Did we finally say yes? At one point we should have said no.

Well, I mean, I think what you saw there was a desire to essentially, you know, this was something that Vladimir Zelensky really wanted. But it's a real numbers game obviously, the question of pilots, So the number of you would be training, it's a pretty small number in Ukraine. You have language issues. These guys would be flying a system in working with trainers who are speaking English when they may not speak English. And then just the broader term issue of well what's this going to look like? How long is this going to take and how many plans are you actually going to be able to get up in the air to make a difference. And right now it's one of these things that you know, the time lag is so long. I mean you're looking at years to get these jets in operation over Ukraine, and then you'd be talking about a small number. So it's a big investment for not a lot of show.

Well, I mean, I think what you saw there was a desire to essentially, you know, this was something that Vladimir Zelensky really wanted. But it's a real numbers game obviously, the question of pilots, So the number of you would be training, it's a pretty small number in Ukraine. You have language issues. These guys would be flying a system in working with trainers who are speaking English when they may not speak English. And then just the broader term issue of well what's this going to look like? How long is this going to take and how many plans are you actually going to be able to get up in the air to make a difference. And right now it's one of these things that you know, the time lag is so long. I mean you're looking at years to get these jets in operation over Ukraine, and then you'd be talking about a small number. So it's a big investment for not a lot of show.

Well, and if we're talking over the span of years, a lot could change within the course of just the next year, including potentially who the president of the United States is. How much should we expect to hear from NATO members about their plans for the potential of a Trump two point zero How much will that dominate the conversation this week?

Well, and if we're talking over the span of years, a lot could change within the course of just the next year, including potentially who the president of the United States is. How much should we expect to hear from NATO members about their plans for the potential of a Trump two point zero How much will that dominate the conversation this week?

Well, I mean, it's it's a great question because there is no question that it is one of the biggest things on everybody's mind, essentially aside from Joe Biden's age. But there is also no question that they really do not want to be talking about it, or they will be talking about it in a way that they don't acknowledge it. So you have Canada coming and saying, Okay, we're going to offer our path to the appropriate level of defense spending, you know, two percent of GDP. We're gonna We're gonna tell you how we're gonna get there. We're not there yet, but we want to get there. That is something that's really aimed at appeasing Republicans Donald Trump, who say, listen, everybody in NATO needs to be spending that amount. So you're going to see a lot of Trump proofing slash Trump orientation in anticipation of him coming. But this is not something. I mean, I'd be shocked if you hear any one of the thirty or so NATO leaders who are in town actually say his name publicly. They're just not going to do it.

Well, I mean, it's it's a great question because there is no question that it is one of the biggest things on everybody's mind, essentially aside from Joe Biden's age. But there is also no question that they really do not want to be talking about it, or they will be talking about it in a way that they don't acknowledge it. So you have Canada coming and saying, Okay, we're going to offer our path to the appropriate level of defense spending, you know, two percent of GDP. We're gonna We're gonna tell you how we're gonna get there. We're not there yet, but we want to get there. That is something that's really aimed at appeasing Republicans Donald Trump, who say, listen, everybody in NATO needs to be spending that amount. So you're going to see a lot of Trump proofing slash Trump orientation in anticipation of him coming. But this is not something. I mean, I'd be shocked if you hear any one of the thirty or so NATO leaders who are in town actually say his name publicly. They're just not going to do it.

Isn't that something We're gonna spend a little time later this hour with the Foreign Minister of Latvia. What does a successful summit look like to her?

Isn't that something We're gonna spend a little time later this hour with the Foreign Minister of Latvia. What does a successful summit look like to her?

Well, the Latvians like, like the Baltic countries, they want Ukraine to get far more guarantee. They want a much more robust path for Ukraine to get to NATO, and they also want NATO to make very firm commitments about protecting the eastern flank because Baltic countries fear that if Vladimir Putin starts to look beyond Ukraine, the first place he's going to look is to them. So what we are hearing so far is that Baltic countries are not especially with happy with the language that's coming out of this when they feel that leaders have not budged sufficiently to offer the guarantees that Ukraine wants. I mean, they are certainly an outlier in the overall sentiment of what NATO feels towards Ukraine, but they're not happy right now.

Well, the Latvians like, like the Baltic countries, they want Ukraine to get far more guarantee. They want a much more robust path for Ukraine to get to NATO, and they also want NATO to make very firm commitments about protecting the eastern flank because Baltic countries fear that if Vladimir Putin starts to look beyond Ukraine, the first place he's going to look is to them. So what we are hearing so far is that Baltic countries are not especially with happy with the language that's coming out of this when they feel that leaders have not budged sufficiently to offer the guarantees that Ukraine wants. I mean, they are certainly an outlier in the overall sentiment of what NATO feels towards Ukraine, but they're not happy right now.

Even as Europe has stepped up contributions.

Even as Europe has stepped up contributions.

What will we hear on that from Well, I mean again, what you're seeing is a lot of dispute between the fact that there are some countries like the Baltics that want more financial commitments. Obviously they don't have the kind of money that the US and Germany and the UK have against trees the big countries, the US, the UK, Germany not wanting to commit long term. I mean, that's what NATO really wants. The Yen Stoltenberg, the outgoing Secretary General, he wants long term commitments from all these countries basically to move well beyond Trump and offer those guarantees to Ukraine. They do not want to offer that. So I expect you'll see some financial commitments, but certainly not in the tens or twenties of billions of dollars that Ukraine would want.

What will we hear on that from Well, I mean again, what you're seeing is a lot of dispute between the fact that there are some countries like the Baltics that want more financial commitments. Obviously they don't have the kind of money that the US and Germany and the UK have against trees the big countries, the US, the UK, Germany not wanting to commit long term. I mean, that's what NATO really wants. The Yen Stoltenberg, the outgoing Secretary General, he wants long term commitments from all these countries basically to move well beyond Trump and offer those guarantees to Ukraine. They do not want to offer that. So I expect you'll see some financial commitments, but certainly not in the tens or twenties of billions of dollars that Ukraine would want.

All right, Bloomberg's Nick Wadams, who leads our national security coverage, thank you so much setting the stage for us great primmer on this first day of the NATO summit here in Washington, and as we spoke with Nick about it comes at a time of great domestic question for the United States and President Biden as he gets set to speak at NATO later this afternoon, just about four hours from now, is when he has expected as lawmakers on the Hill debate whether he should be the Democratic nominee as they return. We're joined now by one of them, I'm pleased to say live from Capitol Hill, Congressman Brad Sherman of California. The Democrat is with us now, Congressman, and we do want to talk to you, as you said on the Foreign Affairs Committee, about NATO and some other matters as well. But of course there was a caucus meeting with you and your colleagues this morning. Did any consensus about the future of Biden as the nominee emerge from that meeting or did it just create more confusion.

All right, Bloomberg's Nick Wadams, who leads our national security coverage, thank you so much setting the stage for us great primmer on this first day of the NATO summit here in Washington, and as we spoke with Nick about it comes at a time of great domestic question for the United States and President Biden as he gets set to speak at NATO later this afternoon, just about four hours from now, is when he has expected as lawmakers on the Hill debate whether he should be the Democratic nominee as they return. We're joined now by one of them, I'm pleased to say live from Capitol Hill, Congressman Brad Sherman of California. The Democrat is with us now, Congressman, and we do want to talk to you, as you said on the Foreign Affairs Committee, about NATO and some other matters as well. But of course there was a caucus meeting with you and your colleagues this morning. Did any consensus about the future of Biden as the nominee emerge from that meeting or did it just create more confusion.

We at a consensus that Biden has been an outstanding president. Biden had a bad night. Trump has led a bad life. As to what we should do now, I won't say that. You know, we're a Democratic party. We've got a lot of different views. Some thought that no matter what, Biden should be our nominee and it shouldn't be discussed. Others thought we are at to urge Biden to drop out. I took kind of a midpoint. I think that the delegates will make the best possible decision if Biden provides more tests and more information. We'll see that in the press conference he's going to do in a couple of days. I would like to see him for ninety minutes live at nine PM in the next couple of weeks, because on September tenth, he's got his second debate with Trump, which will be ninety minutes live at nine PM, and it's important that the delegates have a chance to see him perform under a similar circumstance.

We at a consensus that Biden has been an outstanding president. Biden had a bad night. Trump has led a bad life. As to what we should do now, I won't say that. You know, we're a Democratic party. We've got a lot of different views. Some thought that no matter what, Biden should be our nominee and it shouldn't be discussed. Others thought we are at to urge Biden to drop out. I took kind of a midpoint. I think that the delegates will make the best possible decision if Biden provides more tests and more information. We'll see that in the press conference he's going to do in a couple of days. I would like to see him for ninety minutes live at nine PM in the next couple of weeks, because on September tenth, he's got his second debate with Trump, which will be ninety minutes live at nine PM, and it's important that the delegates have a chance to see him perform under a similar circumstance.

This isn't an endless conversation, obviously, Congressman, and I can hear your support for Joe Biden here while I realize you want to see more. How much time is there for Democrats? Is it between now and the convention in Chicago? Or are we looking at a couple of weeks here, knowing that we've got issues potentially getting on ballots and so forth. If it's not going to be Joe Biden at the top of the ticket.

This isn't an endless conversation, obviously, Congressman, and I can hear your support for Joe Biden here while I realize you want to see more. How much time is there for Democrats? Is it between now and the convention in Chicago? Or are we looking at a couple of weeks here, knowing that we've got issues potentially getting on ballots and so forth. If it's not going to be Joe Biden at the top of the ticket.

I think it's clear that we can get on all the ballots if we act at the time of our convention. Ohio was an outlier. They've changed their rules. So although we were planning to meet Ohio's requirements by having a virtual vote in early August, and now do this on August twentieth, and.

I think it's clear that we can get on all the ballots if we act at the time of our convention. Ohio was an outlier. They've changed their rules. So although we were planning to meet Ohio's requirements by having a virtual vote in early August, and now do this on August twentieth, and.

That will work for all fifty states as a political convention, is the deadline.

That will work for all fifty states as a political convention, is the deadline.

Yes, And yet I think we'll be making a decision, a collective decision, long before then. And I think important that we see before the convention that Biden can meet that test of September tenth when he debates Trump a second time.

Yes, And yet I think we'll be making a decision, a collective decision, long before then. And I think important that we see before the convention that Biden can meet that test of September tenth when he debates Trump a second time.

What we have heard from the President congressman is a suggestion or a pushback against polling that suggests he is lagging behind Donald Trump in a meaningful way, or perhaps that has widened since his debate performance at the end of last month. Do you believe what you're seeing in the polls?

What we have heard from the President congressman is a suggestion or a pushback against polling that suggests he is lagging behind Donald Trump in a meaningful way, or perhaps that has widened since his debate performance at the end of last month. Do you believe what you're seeing in the polls?

Well, it takes a while for a major event to really register with the public and really be reflected in the polls, and so I think it's polls for a few days from now that will reflect what happened on June twenty seventh. But I don't think anybody would say that the debate performance helped the Biden campaign and I think a similar performance on September tenth would be a big problem. And that's why I think we need our presidential candidate, the leader of our party, to demonstrate, then the words of Nancy Pelosi, that was an episode, not a condition. I think he can meet that test. I'd prefer the test to be as close as possible to the one he'll face on September September tenth, but there'll be a number of ways in which he demonstrates to the delegates who are the ultimate decision makers here, that he is fully up to the job not only of beating Donald Trump, not only of beating him in the debate, but also in governing this country until the end of the second term.

Well, it takes a while for a major event to really register with the public and really be reflected in the polls, and so I think it's polls for a few days from now that will reflect what happened on June twenty seventh. But I don't think anybody would say that the debate performance helped the Biden campaign and I think a similar performance on September tenth would be a big problem. And that's why I think we need our presidential candidate, the leader of our party, to demonstrate, then the words of Nancy Pelosi, that was an episode, not a condition. I think he can meet that test. I'd prefer the test to be as close as possible to the one he'll face on September September tenth, but there'll be a number of ways in which he demonstrates to the delegates who are the ultimate decision makers here, that he is fully up to the job not only of beating Donald Trump, not only of beating him in the debate, but also in governing this country until the end of the second term.

Well as a Democrat who has not yet made up his mind on this or found common ground with colleagues in the House and from your perch on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman, what are you looking for when Joe Biden speaks at the NATO summit today at five o'clock? What do you want to hear? What spirit do you expect him to bring to the podium.

Well as a Democrat who has not yet made up his mind on this or found common ground with colleagues in the House and from your perch on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman, what are you looking for when Joe Biden speaks at the NATO summit today at five o'clock? What do you want to hear? What spirit do you expect him to bring to the podium.

I want him to deal with tough questions that he may not have anticipated, and to acquit himself. Well, I am very sure that his policies toward NATO will be reasonable and ones that I would generally support. So I'm not looking at that press conference in terms of does he have the right views about our foreign policy. I'm looking at that press conference to see whether he can convince the country that one debate was just an episode.

I want him to deal with tough questions that he may not have anticipated, and to acquit himself. Well, I am very sure that his policies toward NATO will be reasonable and ones that I would generally support. So I'm not looking at that press conference in terms of does he have the right views about our foreign policy. I'm looking at that press conference to see whether he can convince the country that one debate was just an episode.

Okay. So if you're not looking for policy, Congressman, others might be is there a tangible outcome you would like to see from the NATO summit this week as it pertains to Ukraine or anything else.

Okay. So if you're not looking for policy, Congressman, others might be is there a tangible outcome you would like to see from the NATO summit this week as it pertains to Ukraine or anything else.

Well, I think we need European trees and Canada to step forward and meet that two percent commitment. The majority of NATO countries have done that, but most of that majority are the smaller countries with the smaller gross national products. We need to see Germany and France step forward, when need to see Canada step forward and spend more on their own defense. They used to think that they're on a totally safe continent. That is clearly not the case.

Well, I think we need European trees and Canada to step forward and meet that two percent commitment. The majority of NATO countries have done that, but most of that majority are the smaller countries with the smaller gross national products. We need to see Germany and France step forward, when need to see Canada step forward and spend more on their own defense. They used to think that they're on a totally safe continent. That is clearly not the case.

You make of all this talk of Trump proofing NATO, Congressman, and the idea of European nations looking to stand up their own armies possibly an EU army in a world in which the United States is no longer leading as the tip of the spear in this alliance. Is that a conversation that you're allowing.

You make of all this talk of Trump proofing NATO, Congressman, and the idea of European nations looking to stand up their own armies possibly an EU army in a world in which the United States is no longer leading as the tip of the spear in this alliance. Is that a conversation that you're allowing.

I think that if they spend the money and particularly on equipment and develop their own military forces, that the NATO can and structure will work well. I think that if there are so many reasons for Europe to be able to do more, maybe one of those reasons is that under a Trump administration, America would do less.

I think that if they spend the money and particularly on equipment and develop their own military forces, that the NATO can and structure will work well. I think that if there are so many reasons for Europe to be able to do more, maybe one of those reasons is that under a Trump administration, America would do less.

It's great to have you, Congressman, weigh in on that, given your seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, just in our final moment with you knowing you also sit on House Financial Services. What's your top question for FED Shair Jerome Powell when he testifies before you tomorrow.

It's great to have you, Congressman, weigh in on that, given your seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, just in our final moment with you knowing you also sit on House Financial Services. What's your top question for FED Shair Jerome Powell when he testifies before you tomorrow.

Well, the big issue here was his testimony today that they're going to completely revise and republish the apposal three banking regulations. Too many of our regulations push the banks to put their money on Wall Street and not to make those small loans to businesses on Main Street. And we need bank regulations that don't unfairly discriminate in favor of a buying billion dollars bond portfolios and instead push the banks to their true role of making loans in local cities.

Well, the big issue here was his testimony today that they're going to completely revise and republish the apposal three banking regulations. Too many of our regulations push the banks to put their money on Wall Street and not to make those small loans to businesses on Main Street. And we need bank regulations that don't unfairly discriminate in favor of a buying billion dollars bond portfolios and instead push the banks to their true role of making loans in local cities.

Great to have you back, Congressman. We'll be watching and listening. That hearing starts ten am tomorrow. As j Powell moves to the house side Brad Sherman of California with the view from a Democrat in the middle of this conversation today, Kaylee, pretty interesting. That was a private meeting that we were talking to him about. No cameras or microphones.

Great to have you back, Congressman. We'll be watching and listening. That hearing starts ten am tomorrow. As j Powell moves to the house side Brad Sherman of California with the view from a Democrat in the middle of this conversation today, Kaylee, pretty interesting. That was a private meeting that we were talking to him about. No cameras or microphones.

Yeah, just a lot of questions for reporters who are out there sweating in the heat. As lawmakers emerged, and as the Congressman suggested, doesn't seem like they emerged with one idea of whether or not Joe Biden should continue.

Yeah, just a lot of questions for reporters who are out there sweating in the heat. As lawmakers emerged, and as the Congressman suggested, doesn't seem like they emerged with one idea of whether or not Joe Biden should continue.

We got a TBD on that one. You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch us live weekdays at noon Eastern on AMO CarPlay and Thenroud Auto with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube.

We got a TBD on that one. You're listening to the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast. Catch us live weekdays at noon Eastern on AMO CarPlay and Thenroud Auto with the Bloomberg Business app. Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts, or watch us live on YouTube.

We have a few top stories, and to some extent they are related, as one pertains to the future of President Joe Biden. As the Democratic nominee in this twenty twenty four election cycle. The other pertains to something else on his plate this week, which is the NITO summit that is being held here in Washington. He will be speaking at that summit less than four hours from now.

We have a few top stories, and to some extent they are related, as one pertains to the future of President Joe Biden. As the Democratic nominee in this twenty twenty four election cycle. The other pertains to something else on his plate this week, which is the NITO summit that is being held here in Washington. He will be speaking at that summit less than four hours from now.

Joe, Yeah, we'll bring you some of his remarks to get a sense of how it's going. I don't know he's going to make a lot of news today, Kaylee. This is kind of the opener, but every time Joe Biden is in front of a camera, it's a moment here. That's just kind of the world that we're in. Just hours after House Democrats met on this matter, you were hearing us discuss it earlier. There doesn't appear to be following our conversation with Congressman Sherman, any consensus moving forward. Everyone's in a wait and see mode, and I suspect that goes for our panel as well. Adam Hodge is with us today, Democratic strategist, managing director the Bully Pulpit International and a veteran of the National Security Council and the Biden administration, joined by Lester Munson, of course, Republican strategist back with us from BGR Group It's great to have both of you with us here.

Joe, Yeah, we'll bring you some of his remarks to get a sense of how it's going. I don't know he's going to make a lot of news today, Kaylee. This is kind of the opener, but every time Joe Biden is in front of a camera, it's a moment here. That's just kind of the world that we're in. Just hours after House Democrats met on this matter, you were hearing us discuss it earlier. There doesn't appear to be following our conversation with Congressman Sherman, any consensus moving forward. Everyone's in a wait and see mode, and I suspect that goes for our panel as well. Adam Hodge is with us today, Democratic strategist, managing director the Bully Pulpit International and a veteran of the National Security Council and the Biden administration, joined by Lester Munson, of course, Republican strategist back with us from BGR Group It's great to have both of you with us here.

Adam.

Adam.

This is another test today as we've been seeing for Joe Biden. But coming off of that conversation we just had with Congressman Sherman, is this good news or bad news when you hear a California Democrat saying I support Joe Biden, but we haven't found consensus yet.

This is another test today as we've been seeing for Joe Biden. But coming off of that conversation we just had with Congressman Sherman, is this good news or bad news when you hear a California Democrat saying I support Joe Biden, but we haven't found consensus yet.

I think there's no question that the President has had a good twenty four hours. And if you look at where the conversation was leading into this weekend, I don't think what you heard from Brad Sherman there was what you would have heard of if we didn't have the last twenty four hours from the Biden campaign. The president has been forcefull. He's been clear about what his vision and what his record is. He has to maintain that for the next one hundred and nineteen days to prove to the voters why he should be the Democratic nominee. Only he can do that, and that's the task at hand for this week, certainly with NATO, but also leading into the Democratic invention and then at the debate in September through election Day.

I think there's no question that the President has had a good twenty four hours. And if you look at where the conversation was leading into this weekend, I don't think what you heard from Brad Sherman there was what you would have heard of if we didn't have the last twenty four hours from the Biden campaign. The president has been forcefull. He's been clear about what his vision and what his record is. He has to maintain that for the next one hundred and nineteen days to prove to the voters why he should be the Democratic nominee. Only he can do that, and that's the task at hand for this week, certainly with NATO, but also leading into the Democratic invention and then at the debate in September through election Day.

Well Lester, considering the concerns about the president's age and mental acuity seem to be so pervasive at this point. How far could one speech this evening, you know, or one press conference later on this week that we're expecting Thursday, go to to erasing some of those concern or is it going to take more than just a few good moments to erase the bad ones?

Well Lester, considering the concerns about the president's age and mental acuity seem to be so pervasive at this point. How far could one speech this evening, you know, or one press conference later on this week that we're expecting Thursday, go to to erasing some of those concern or is it going to take more than just a few good moments to erase the bad ones?

I think it's gonna it's gonna take more than a few Kyley. The speech today, I don't think is going to push things one where or another absence some dramatic event, because he'll be likely reading off a teleprompter and he can do okay in that kind of situation. The press conference later this week is a little more interesting. Is he going to get some unexpected questions?

I think it's gonna it's gonna take more than a few Kyley. The speech today, I don't think is going to push things one where or another absence some dramatic event, because he'll be likely reading off a teleprompter and he can do okay in that kind of situation. The press conference later this week is a little more interesting. Is he going to get some unexpected questions?

You know?

You know?

The White House has been the staff have been hit for trying to manage these things a little too closely. Can they have a free wheeling event, and can the President be in the moment and be fully responsive and give clear and complete answers. That would be a nice step forward for him, but he's gonna again he's going to have to do that consistently for the next four months.

The White House has been the staff have been hit for trying to manage these things a little too closely. Can they have a free wheeling event, and can the President be in the moment and be fully responsive and give clear and complete answers. That would be a nice step forward for him, but he's gonna again he's going to have to do that consistently for the next four months.

A lot of quis about the President's relationship with his doctor and whether he was seeking some sort of therapy for something more than just getting old. Parkinson's came up a number of times in the White House Press briefing yesterday, and his doctor had to issue a letter last night two pages long to clarify. I want to bring it back to the White House briefing room yesterday Karine Jean Pierre, the Press Secretary, and a back and forth with reporters on.

A lot of quis about the President's relationship with his doctor and whether he was seeking some sort of therapy for something more than just getting old. Parkinson's came up a number of times in the White House Press briefing yesterday, and his doctor had to issue a letter last night two pages long to clarify. I want to bring it back to the White House briefing room yesterday Karine Jean Pierre, the Press Secretary, and a back and forth with reporters on.

This was this experts visits whereas multiplejits the president.

This was this experts visits whereas multiplejits the president.

Well, here's the thing I've said, he's he has had three he has had three three physicals.

Well, here's the thing I've said, he's he has had three he has had three three physicals.

In those three.

In those three.

Physicals, that's when he has seen a specialist, neurological specialists. I cannot speak to every person because there are actually there's actually a security reasons to protect their privacy. We respect and protecting people's privacy, so do not want to share. I'm not going to share people's names from here.

Physicals, that's when he has seen a specialist, neurological specialists. I cannot speak to every person because there are actually there's actually a security reasons to protect their privacy. We respect and protecting people's privacy, so do not want to share. I'm not going to share people's names from here.

Very bait.

Very bait.

Wait wait, wait, way, wait a.

Wait wait, wait, way, wait a.

Second, wait times, or at least once in.

Second, wait times, or at least once in.

Regard to hold on a second.

Regard to hold on a second.

You should be able to answer by this point.

You should be able to answer by this point.

Wait no, no, no, no, no, no wait a minute, Ed, please a little respect here.

Wait no, no, no, no, no, no wait a minute, Ed, please a little respect here.

That's Ed O'Keeffe, our colleague, at CBS News from the briefing room yesterday. So we go to a two page letter from the doctor Kevin O'Connor who visited the White House. He said, Kevin Kinnard visited the White House several times over the last year. This is the neurology consultant to the White House Medical Office, and he apparently holds neurology clinics at the White House for active duty military members. This is difficult for people to start getting through their heads here exactly who's coming, who's going? Did he see a neurologist? Does he have Parkinson's? You know, there's something about if you're explaining or losing? I think is the line is the White House Communications Office, the press office up to this look.

That's Ed O'Keeffe, our colleague, at CBS News from the briefing room yesterday. So we go to a two page letter from the doctor Kevin O'Connor who visited the White House. He said, Kevin Kinnard visited the White House several times over the last year. This is the neurology consultant to the White House Medical Office, and he apparently holds neurology clinics at the White House for active duty military members. This is difficult for people to start getting through their heads here exactly who's coming, who's going? Did he see a neurologist? Does he have Parkinson's? You know, there's something about if you're explaining or losing? I think is the line is the White House Communications Office, the press office up to this look.

I think what you heard from the White House last night is that the President has seen a neurologist and the words of very, very care a neurologist each physical I having been in the White House Medical Unit, yes, having seen people who've come and gone out of that room. There are a lot of experts and who treat a lot of active duty and reservists who work at the White House. There's an act. I mean, he is the commander in chief. Let's not forget that. Sure, he has military aids who are with him all the time, and they also get care through the White House Medical Unit. The doctor was very clear like that. They said he saw the neurologist one time for each of the physicals that he's had over the last few years, and each of those visits they determined and did an assessment, and they determined he did not have Parkinson's. That's what a doctor I mean, he's a doctor. He has the medical oath that he has to follow, and he has made clear that that's not the president's diagnosis. And so I think what you saw yesterday was the White House not quite able to speak to the full breath of what the doctor canard, I think his name, what his full scope of work is there. They then got that clarity and informed the public that's what you saw last night.

I think what you heard from the White House last night is that the President has seen a neurologist and the words of very, very care a neurologist each physical I having been in the White House Medical Unit, yes, having seen people who've come and gone out of that room. There are a lot of experts and who treat a lot of active duty and reservists who work at the White House. There's an act. I mean, he is the commander in chief. Let's not forget that. Sure, he has military aids who are with him all the time, and they also get care through the White House Medical Unit. The doctor was very clear like that. They said he saw the neurologist one time for each of the physicals that he's had over the last few years, and each of those visits they determined and did an assessment, and they determined he did not have Parkinson's. That's what a doctor I mean, he's a doctor. He has the medical oath that he has to follow, and he has made clear that that's not the president's diagnosis. And so I think what you saw yesterday was the White House not quite able to speak to the full breath of what the doctor canard, I think his name, what his full scope of work is there. They then got that clarity and informed the public that's what you saw last night.

Well, I guess it becomes a question of knowing the intensity around of the scrutiny into Joe Biden and his mental and physical health right now. Is it not a moment in which the White House or the campaign needs to be embracing a kind of radical transparency. There's been a lot of talk about taking a cognitive test for both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Would it not behove President Biden, as a candidate who wants to be elected for another four years, go deeper into his eighties in the meantime to just say, all right, fine, I will do it. I will put the questions to bed.

Well, I guess it becomes a question of knowing the intensity around of the scrutiny into Joe Biden and his mental and physical health right now. Is it not a moment in which the White House or the campaign needs to be embracing a kind of radical transparency. There's been a lot of talk about taking a cognitive test for both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Would it not behove President Biden, as a candidate who wants to be elected for another four years, go deeper into his eighties in the meantime to just say, all right, fine, I will do it. I will put the questions to bed.

My understanding is that the neurological exam that as part of his physical is more robust than the cognitive test. So I take that as I'm not a doctor. Sure neither the three of us are doctors, but I'll take that from what I read and what I heard, I think what is clear that the President should do over the next one hundred and nineteen days is everything they can to dispel this idea that the president is unfit to serve another four years. And so, like Congressman Sherman said, it's a good idea. The White House can have him do more press conferences in primetime. Also will help prep for the debate in September, have a great speech at the convention, do all those steps to show the American public that what you saw from Joe Biden over the last twenty four hours is what you can expect throughout the rest of the campaign and in the next four years, that's his job.

My understanding is that the neurological exam that as part of his physical is more robust than the cognitive test. So I take that as I'm not a doctor. Sure neither the three of us are doctors, but I'll take that from what I read and what I heard, I think what is clear that the President should do over the next one hundred and nineteen days is everything they can to dispel this idea that the president is unfit to serve another four years. And so, like Congressman Sherman said, it's a good idea. The White House can have him do more press conferences in primetime. Also will help prep for the debate in September, have a great speech at the convention, do all those steps to show the American public that what you saw from Joe Biden over the last twenty four hours is what you can expect throughout the rest of the campaign and in the next four years, that's his job.

Let's right on.

Let's right on.

If you read the New York Times this morning. I don't know if you go near the New York Times, but James Carvell's writing an op ed today, and man, it's a doozy. He says that Joe Biden is not going to be the nominee. Mark my words. The top line. Biden is not going to be the nominee. Will be out of the twenty twenty four presidential race, whether he is ready to admit it or not. And he's proposing a new approach here, forget all those people in the White House. Carvel calling for a super democratic process, as he names this, to choose the nominee, starting with four regional town halls moderated by former Presidents Obama and Clinton. I don't know what James Carvill had with dinner last night, Lester, but what would happen if that took place?

If you read the New York Times this morning. I don't know if you go near the New York Times, but James Carvell's writing an op ed today, and man, it's a doozy. He says that Joe Biden is not going to be the nominee. Mark my words. The top line. Biden is not going to be the nominee. Will be out of the twenty twenty four presidential race, whether he is ready to admit it or not. And he's proposing a new approach here, forget all those people in the White House. Carvel calling for a super democratic process, as he names this, to choose the nominee, starting with four regional town halls moderated by former Presidents Obama and Clinton. I don't know what James Carvill had with dinner last night, Lester, but what would happen if that took place?

Well, boy, talk about the clash of egos. This it's pretty spectactically, Omar. I did see that piece. I do like the New York Times most of the time. I think I think Carville is probably correct. This Again, common sense tells us this the condition of the President is only going in one direction, and he can you know, as much as the White House staff, God bless them, they're doing their jobs, are trying to offer some spin and some cover and explanations. People see what is happening. They saw it very clearly during the debate. The president, really, he's going to have to be flawless going forward here. If he's gonna if he's gonna stay in this position and at all competitive with Donald Trump in November, that's the real issue. And I think James Carville, I'm old enough to remember when he was only middle age and a pretty good campaign consultant for Bill Clinton. He really cares about the Democratic Party and about defeating Donald Trump, and that's where this is coming from, and so I think we should The mechanics may not be perfect for what he's describing, but the sentiment I think is spot on.

Well, boy, talk about the clash of egos. This it's pretty spectactically, Omar. I did see that piece. I do like the New York Times most of the time. I think I think Carville is probably correct. This Again, common sense tells us this the condition of the President is only going in one direction, and he can you know, as much as the White House staff, God bless them, they're doing their jobs, are trying to offer some spin and some cover and explanations. People see what is happening. They saw it very clearly during the debate. The president, really, he's going to have to be flawless going forward here. If he's gonna if he's gonna stay in this position and at all competitive with Donald Trump in November, that's the real issue. And I think James Carville, I'm old enough to remember when he was only middle age and a pretty good campaign consultant for Bill Clinton. He really cares about the Democratic Party and about defeating Donald Trump, and that's where this is coming from, and so I think we should The mechanics may not be perfect for what he's describing, but the sentiment I think is spot on.

Adam, you want to quickly weigh in on this with about about thirty secon super Democratic press.

Adam, you want to quickly weigh in on this with about about thirty secon super Democratic press.

I mean, I think the chances of Barack Obama stepping into an event like that are virtually zero. I think he has shown he has no interest in stepping into that. I think Lester Raises a good point about where the Democratic Party is. We've got to figure out and Joe Biden has to make the case of why he should be the Democratic nominee. If he does that, he decides he's the nominee, then Democrats have to unite behind.

I mean, I think the chances of Barack Obama stepping into an event like that are virtually zero. I think he has shown he has no interest in stepping into that. I think Lester Raises a good point about where the Democratic Party is. We've got to figure out and Joe Biden has to make the case of why he should be the Democratic nominee. If he does that, he decides he's the nominee, then Democrats have to unite behind.

Him, all right. Adam Hodge, Democratic strategist and managing director ATLIT International, thank you so much for joining us today alongside Republican strategist Leinster Munson, who is the co head of the international practice at the BGR Group. While we've been talking about the Democratic nominee and where the delegates ultimately are going to go political reporting, now Joe Nicki Haley releasing her ninety seven delegates and telling them to vote for Donald Trump, just like at the convention.

Him, all right. Adam Hodge, Democratic strategist and managing director ATLIT International, thank you so much for joining us today alongside Republican strategist Leinster Munson, who is the co head of the international practice at the BGR Group. While we've been talking about the Democratic nominee and where the delegates ultimately are going to go political reporting, now Joe Nicki Haley releasing her ninety seven delegates and telling them to vote for Donald Trump, just like at the convention.

So much for a contested convention in Milwaukee.

So much for a contested convention in Milwaukee.

We'll find out.

We'll find out.

I'm but of Chakaka.

I'm but of Chakaka.

Thanks for listening to the Balance of Power podcast. Make sure to subscribe if you haven't already, at Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and you can find us live every weekday from Washington, DC at noontime Eastern at Bloomberg dot com.

Thanks for listening to the Balance of Power podcast. Make sure to subscribe if you haven't already, at Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and you can find us live every weekday from Washington, DC at noontime Eastern at Bloomberg dot com.