Support for the Middle comes from the Tiwani Foundation, making a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding. More information on how you can support the Middle at Listen to Them Middle dot com. Welcome to the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson, along with our house DJ Tolliver and Tolliver. It really is amazing that after literally years of build up and all of the punditry and the polls and the primaries and the commentary, that it only takes basically a few hours for the entire country to speak.

Support for the Middle comes from the Tiwani Foundation, making a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding. More information on how you can support the Middle at Listen to Them Middle dot com. Welcome to the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson, along with our house DJ Tolliver and Tolliver. It really is amazing that after literally years of build up and all of the punditry and the polls and the primaries and the commentary, that it only takes basically a few hours for the entire country to speak.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Man, I was in bed early ten pm, tucked ins nuggets, a budget rug wow.

Man, I was in bed early ten pm, tucked ins nuggets, a budget rug wow.

Wow.

Wow.

Well, you know, the one thing about elections like this is we do actually learn things about the country. And one thing that we learned, of course, is that we remain a divided country. And while about eighty million Americans voted for President Biden back in twenty twenty, more than seventy million Americans voted for Trump this time, which was enough to win because Harris got a lot your votes than Biden did. We're going to get to what our listeners think that means for them and the country in a moment. But whether you are feeling great or really upset right now, I just want to say that even if you have muted all of the people in your social media feed who disagree with you politically, you may even have friends and family who voted the opposite way. And the reason we're here doing this show the Middle is that I think it's important to keep the lines of communication open and to keep having conversation with our fellow Americans even when we disagree. To meet in the middle. So, with that said, what do the election results mean for you? What are your hopes and your fears for the future, Whether you're thrilled or scared, we want to hear from you. Tulliver, what's the number to call it.

Well, you know, the one thing about elections like this is we do actually learn things about the country. And one thing that we learned, of course, is that we remain a divided country. And while about eighty million Americans voted for President Biden back in twenty twenty, more than seventy million Americans voted for Trump this time, which was enough to win because Harris got a lot your votes than Biden did. We're going to get to what our listeners think that means for them and the country in a moment. But whether you are feeling great or really upset right now, I just want to say that even if you have muted all of the people in your social media feed who disagree with you politically, you may even have friends and family who voted the opposite way. And the reason we're here doing this show the Middle is that I think it's important to keep the lines of communication open and to keep having conversation with our fellow Americans even when we disagree. To meet in the middle. So, with that said, what do the election results mean for you? What are your hopes and your fears for the future, Whether you're thrilled or scared, we want to hear from you. Tulliver, what's the number to call it.

It's eight four four for a middle that's eight four four four six four three three five three Or write to us at Listen to the Middle dot com.

It's eight four four for a middle that's eight four four four six four three three five three Or write to us at Listen to the Middle dot com.

So let's meet our panel. Major Garrett Chief Washington correspondent for CBS News and co author of The Big Truth, Upholding Democracy in the Age of the Big Lie. Major, welcome back to the Middle. Great to be with you and also joining us is Rose Scott, host of Wabes Atlanta's closer look Rose, Welcome to the.

So let's meet our panel. Major Garrett Chief Washington correspondent for CBS News and co author of The Big Truth, Upholding Democracy in the Age of the Big Lie. Major, welcome back to the Middle. Great to be with you and also joining us is Rose Scott, host of Wabes Atlanta's closer look Rose, Welcome to the.

Middle thanks a lot, appreciate it well.

Middle thanks a lot, appreciate it well.

Before we get to the phones of major this is obviously going to be a huge change for the country. What do you make of what happened on Tuesday?

Before we get to the phones of major this is obviously going to be a huge change for the country. What do you make of what happened on Tuesday?

Several things. First of all, it's worth noting that in nine out of ten counties in our country, former President Trump increased his vote share, larger in some counties than others. But that is an indicator that having evaluated the options, and every election is a choice between the available options, not the perfect world, the available options in front of you. There was sufficient dissatisfaction and that's putting it mildly with the Biden Harris record, and not necessarily a dissatisfaction with Kamala Harris the person, but a discomfort with possibly the process that made her the nominee, the shortened campaign, the compressed time she had to identify herself and her agenda. That for many Americans, who even told exit polsters they don't like former President Trump, they believe he has significant character flaws, they still voted for him, which meant what has happened globally happened here. What do I mean by that in every global democracy in the post COVID era, the incumbent party, whether right or left, has suffered a significant setback defeat. What happened there, happened here.

Several things. First of all, it's worth noting that in nine out of ten counties in our country, former President Trump increased his vote share, larger in some counties than others. But that is an indicator that having evaluated the options, and every election is a choice between the available options, not the perfect world, the available options in front of you. There was sufficient dissatisfaction and that's putting it mildly with the Biden Harris record, and not necessarily a dissatisfaction with Kamala Harris the person, but a discomfort with possibly the process that made her the nominee, the shortened campaign, the compressed time she had to identify herself and her agenda. That for many Americans, who even told exit polsters they don't like former President Trump, they believe he has significant character flaws, they still voted for him, which meant what has happened globally happened here. What do I mean by that in every global democracy in the post COVID era, the incumbent party, whether right or left, has suffered a significant setback defeat. What happened there, happened here.

Yeah, we just saw it happen in the United Kingdom as well, with the Conservative Partner Party just having a huge route and being replaced by Labor Rose Scott, what about from your vantage point? You're in the state of Georgia, which went for Biden just barely four years ago, but flip back to Trump this time. What do you make of it?

Yeah, we just saw it happen in the United Kingdom as well, with the Conservative Partner Party just having a huge route and being replaced by Labor Rose Scott, what about from your vantage point? You're in the state of Georgia, which went for Biden just barely four years ago, but flip back to Trump this time. What do you make of it?

Let me back up first, because there were a couple of things that Major Garrett's said that I agree with, But then I'm going to push back a little bit in terms of you know, what I took away from this was that there still is this concept of people have a problem or an issue with women in leadership and a woman of color in leadership. And you know, I always go back to James Baldwin, which is one of my favorite people, in the quote that he says, you know, I can't believe what you say because I see what you do.

Let me back up first, because there were a couple of things that Major Garrett's said that I agree with, But then I'm going to push back a little bit in terms of you know, what I took away from this was that there still is this concept of people have a problem or an issue with women in leadership and a woman of color in leadership. And you know, I always go back to James Baldwin, which is one of my favorite people, in the quote that he says, you know, I can't believe what you say because I see what you do.

And in all of the I guess.

And in all of the I guess.

Excitement and promises of from certain demographics that Kamala Harris would get their vote, especially here in Georgia and especially with white women, that didn't happen.

Excitement and promises of from certain demographics that Kamala Harris would get their vote, especially here in Georgia and especially with white women, that didn't happen.

What about what about Rose with black men and Latino men who also came over to Trump in ways that they had not before. Is that for the same reason do you think or what do you think that was about?

What about what about Rose with black men and Latino men who also came over to Trump in ways that they had not before. Is that for the same reason do you think or what do you think that was about?

I think there was a lot of intentional misinformation targeting black men, and I think there was a lot of intentional divisiveness among Yeah, there were black men that voted for Trump before, there was gonna be something that voted for Trump this time. But also to Jeremy going back to how do we as a nation, how we receive information and how we process that information, how it influences us as voters, you know, And yeah, there were black there were black men that voted for Trump. Aaron George, I think it came out to maybe like nineteen twenty percent, which is which someone can say is fairly large.

I think there was a lot of intentional misinformation targeting black men, and I think there was a lot of intentional divisiveness among Yeah, there were black men that voted for Trump before, there was gonna be something that voted for Trump this time. But also to Jeremy going back to how do we as a nation, how we receive information and how we process that information, how it influences us as voters, you know, And yeah, there were black there were black men that voted for Trump. Aaron George, I think it came out to maybe like nineteen twenty percent, which is which someone can say is fairly large.

But that wasn't the issue for me. That that was an issue for me.

But that wasn't the issue for me. That that was an issue for me.

I think when you place so much emphasis on a very small black folks only make up with thirteen fourteen percent of the entire nation, but yet in order to get a black woman elected own of color. We've got to have every black person on earth, every black person in the US.

I think when you place so much emphasis on a very small black folks only make up with thirteen fourteen percent of the entire nation, but yet in order to get a black woman elected own of color. We've got to have every black person on earth, every black person in the US.

Wolfare come on that. Okayt Rock with.

Wolfare come on that. Okayt Rock with.

That major your book is about upholding democracy. That's probably one of the biggest fears people have right now. What happens to our democracy with Donald Trump in charge? After his role in January sixth, after the Supreme Court decision that gave him immunity for anything that's considered an official act as president. What about that?

That major your book is about upholding democracy. That's probably one of the biggest fears people have right now. What happens to our democracy with Donald Trump in charge? After his role in January sixth, after the Supreme Court decision that gave him immunity for anything that's considered an official act as president. What about that?

So a couple of things are worth noting. In his political life, Donald Trump has received two concession calls in presidential elections. He has never made one. He has twice been granted. Once it operationally, it means has already happened. One aspirationally means it's going to happen. The benefit, the enormous structural benefit of a smooth and uninhibited transition. He did not provide that. Now. I know what Trump supporters will say, who cares he won matters? These things matter when you are invested with power of the presidency as now President elect Trump has been. What he does with that power matters. It matters to people all across America, but it particularly matters to people in vulnerable, economic, racial, or other situations, and that he never made a concession call, never provided a smooth transition, tells the nation he has a fundamentally different idea about the obligations of power than every previous president in our country. I believe that is a point of concern, and it's one that will play out in his second term.

So a couple of things are worth noting. In his political life, Donald Trump has received two concession calls in presidential elections. He has never made one. He has twice been granted. Once it operationally, it means has already happened. One aspirationally means it's going to happen. The benefit, the enormous structural benefit of a smooth and uninhibited transition. He did not provide that. Now. I know what Trump supporters will say, who cares he won matters? These things matter when you are invested with power of the presidency as now President elect Trump has been. What he does with that power matters. It matters to people all across America, but it particularly matters to people in vulnerable, economic, racial, or other situations, and that he never made a concession call, never provided a smooth transition, tells the nation he has a fundamentally different idea about the obligations of power than every previous president in our country. I believe that is a point of concern, and it's one that will play out in his second term.

Let's go to the phones, because we've got the lines lighting up right now. Linda is into cab County, Georgia. Linda, Welcome to the middle. Go ahead, hopes or fears for the future.

Let's go to the phones, because we've got the lines lighting up right now. Linda is into cab County, Georgia. Linda, Welcome to the middle. Go ahead, hopes or fears for the future.

I think my biggest hope is that, honestly, that I'm wrong, and that the arey seven percent of people who voted for Pablo Evers are wrong, that the Republicans are right, and that US will just get better. You know, things will stay relatively stable, the US will keep its world government world position, and you know, our borders won't improve and our antoonomy won't prove. Because if the people who voted are in are wrong and I'm right, there's going to be a lot of pain and suffering.

I think my biggest hope is that, honestly, that I'm wrong, and that the arey seven percent of people who voted for Pablo Evers are wrong, that the Republicans are right, and that US will just get better. You know, things will stay relatively stable, the US will keep its world government world position, and you know, our borders won't improve and our antoonomy won't prove. Because if the people who voted are in are wrong and I'm right, there's going to be a lot of pain and suffering.

Mm hm.

Mm hm.

So you voted for you voted for Kamala Harris. It sounds like, but you're you're sort of hopeful that you were wrong about that and that everything will be okay.

So you voted for you voted for Kamala Harris. It sounds like, but you're you're sort of hopeful that you were wrong about that and that everything will be okay.

I'm hopeful that I'm like, like we're exaggerating the script that like, mm, the rest of the party is not that not indebted. That's not the right word. Controlled that's not right word either, my mom. But I don't think.

I'm hopeful that I'm like, like we're exaggerating the script that like, mm, the rest of the party is not that not indebted. That's not the right word. Controlled that's not right word either, my mom. But I don't think.

Yeah, well, I think we get your point, Linda, we get your point. Thank you for that call. Rose Scott your thoughts. I've heard this from other people is that they they're very upset right now. If they were voting for Kamala Harris, they're very worried, but maybe they're trying to they're in the part of the grieving process where they're hoping that things will be better than they think.

Yeah, well, I think we get your point, Linda, we get your point. Thank you for that call. Rose Scott your thoughts. I've heard this from other people is that they they're very upset right now. If they were voting for Kamala Harris, they're very worried, but maybe they're trying to they're in the part of the grieving process where they're hoping that things will be better than they think.

So right after the election, actually, obviously yesterday I opened up the phone line. I won't do a lot here at WABE, but I opened up the phone lines and I asked people simply, how are you feeling for the next four years, And majority of the callers said they were fearful because we've been here before.

So right after the election, actually, obviously yesterday I opened up the phone line. I won't do a lot here at WABE, but I opened up the phone lines and I asked people simply, how are you feeling for the next four years, And majority of the callers said they were fearful because we've been here before.

Now, Donald Trump.

Now, Donald Trump.

In twenty sixteen through twenty twenty, that is his track record, right, That's what Americans have to go on and for certain populations in this nation, they see that track record, and obviously they are concerned. If there was any optimism, perhaps it's because you hope, you hope that the words that came out of his mouth to Uesday night when he talked about healing and majorre You can correct me if I'm wrong. I don't even know if I've ever heard him use the word healing at all doing this campaign. So if he is truly about healing this nation and bringing the nation together, then it is going to have to be a tremendous change major in his first term for a lot of for a lot of popular for a lot of people in this in this in this nation.

In twenty sixteen through twenty twenty, that is his track record, right, That's what Americans have to go on and for certain populations in this nation, they see that track record, and obviously they are concerned. If there was any optimism, perhaps it's because you hope, you hope that the words that came out of his mouth to Uesday night when he talked about healing and majorre You can correct me if I'm wrong. I don't even know if I've ever heard him use the word healing at all doing this campaign. So if he is truly about healing this nation and bringing the nation together, then it is going to have to be a tremendous change major in his first term for a lot of for a lot of popular for a lot of people in this in this in this nation.

And that's just it is what it is.

And that's just it is what it is.

Rose. I have to say, if people are nervous, they just need to listen to your voice. It's so smooth, so calm. I feel like everything's going to be okay now.

Rose. I have to say, if people are nervous, they just need to listen to your voice. It's so smooth, so calm. I feel like everything's going to be okay now.

Well, and and uh, you know, Caliver, I know a lot of a lot of comments are coming in online as we take the phone calls as well, but tell us some of the things that are coming in that listen to the middle dot Com.

Well, and and uh, you know, Caliver, I know a lot of a lot of comments are coming in online as we take the phone calls as well, but tell us some of the things that are coming in that listen to the middle dot Com.

Yeah, Caroline outside of Boston says, I am extremely lucky and privileged, and yet while walking back home, I suddenly felt more unsafe than I ever have before because of a convicted felon can become the President of the United States. Was to stop anyone from attacking me on my way home? Does accountability still exist? Linda and Colorado says, I believe this would not have happened had Biden not let the border get so out of control. I'm angry with him and the Dems for not dealing with this before it was too late. He needs to own it. The American people have clearly spoken, and we all need to make the best of it.

Yeah, Caroline outside of Boston says, I am extremely lucky and privileged, and yet while walking back home, I suddenly felt more unsafe than I ever have before because of a convicted felon can become the President of the United States. Was to stop anyone from attacking me on my way home? Does accountability still exist? Linda and Colorado says, I believe this would not have happened had Biden not let the border get so out of control. I'm angry with him and the Dems for not dealing with this before it was too late. He needs to own it. The American people have clearly spoken, and we all need to make the best of it.

Major Garrett, just briefly on that point. How much was the border do you think the issue here.

Major Garrett, just briefly on that point. How much was the border do you think the issue here.

An enormous problem. It's been a enormous political and policy problem for the Biden administration for three almost the entire administration, and down the stretch when it was clearly a political drag, the administration took executive action and the number monthly number of border crossings has dropped dramatically below Trump era numbers. But the perception had already been baked in, and that was a problem, and it manifested itself unequivocally on election night.

An enormous problem. It's been a enormous political and policy problem for the Biden administration for three almost the entire administration, and down the stretch when it was clearly a political drag, the administration took executive action and the number monthly number of border crossings has dropped dramatically below Trump era numbers. But the perception had already been baked in, and that was a problem, and it manifested itself unequivocally on election night.

We'll stand by because Oliver, I just want to remind our podcast audience that they can make a contribution to this program if they feel that it is important at this moment in time to have this conversation across party lines, across the entire country. You can go to Listen to the Middle dot com. It's tax deductible. Any amount is really helpful. This is an independent production, So do that and we'll be right back with more of the Middle right after this. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson. If you're just tuning in the Middle as a national call in show, we're focused on elevating voices from the middle geographically, politically, and philosophically, or maybe you just want to meet in the middle. This hour, we're asking you what the election results mean for you. What are your hopes and fears for the future. Tolliver, what is the number to call in?

We'll stand by because Oliver, I just want to remind our podcast audience that they can make a contribution to this program if they feel that it is important at this moment in time to have this conversation across party lines, across the entire country. You can go to Listen to the Middle dot com. It's tax deductible. Any amount is really helpful. This is an independent production, So do that and we'll be right back with more of the Middle right after this. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson. If you're just tuning in the Middle as a national call in show, we're focused on elevating voices from the middle geographically, politically, and philosophically, or maybe you just want to meet in the middle. This hour, we're asking you what the election results mean for you. What are your hopes and fears for the future. Tolliver, what is the number to call in?

It's eight four four four Middle. That's eight four four four six four three three five three. You can also write to us at Listen to the Middle dot com or on social media.

It's eight four four four Middle. That's eight four four four six four three three five three. You can also write to us at Listen to the Middle dot com or on social media.

I'm joined by Major Garrett, Chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, and Rose Scott at WABE in Atlanta, And before we get back to the phones, Major Garrett, did Trump win the political middle in this election? And what might he do to hold on to them? If he did?

I'm joined by Major Garrett, Chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, and Rose Scott at WABE in Atlanta, And before we get back to the phones, Major Garrett, did Trump win the political middle in this election? And what might he do to hold on to them? If he did?

Broadly speaking, the answer is yes. You can't look at it any other way. He is on pace to win the popular vote. We still have votes to count in California and some other Western states, but by all estimates, he will win the popular vote. That is a significant accomplishment for him. Hasn't happened for a Republican presidential nominee since two thousand and four, when George Bush won the popular vote, So that's a long period of time and that was not expected. That was hinted at in the polling data, but very few people looking at the polling data said, wow, is he really going to win the popular vote? In fact, he is going to. That is a suggestion broadly speaking, that he won certainly more of the middle than Kamala Harris did. What is he going to do to maintain it? Look, the very first week of the Trump administration will be extremely telling. Yes, he did talk about healing, but if in fact he does what he said he would do on the campaign trail, which is through executive action begin the largest These are his words, not mine mass deportation effort in the history of our country, and they do target one million undocumented immigrants in our country to deport per year. That will require federal, state, and local law enforcement. It may involve the National Guard, it may involve the US military. It will certainly have to involve some form of detention facilities. There's a private firm that announced today that runs prisons in our country that they expect to be a contracted entity to imprisoned undocumented immigrants in between their status here in the United States and their eventual deportation. If those things begin to happen in the first week of his presidency, the concept of healing and the concept of unity will be tested. And that's putting it mildly well.

Broadly speaking, the answer is yes. You can't look at it any other way. He is on pace to win the popular vote. We still have votes to count in California and some other Western states, but by all estimates, he will win the popular vote. That is a significant accomplishment for him. Hasn't happened for a Republican presidential nominee since two thousand and four, when George Bush won the popular vote, So that's a long period of time and that was not expected. That was hinted at in the polling data, but very few people looking at the polling data said, wow, is he really going to win the popular vote? In fact, he is going to. That is a suggestion broadly speaking, that he won certainly more of the middle than Kamala Harris did. What is he going to do to maintain it? Look, the very first week of the Trump administration will be extremely telling. Yes, he did talk about healing, but if in fact he does what he said he would do on the campaign trail, which is through executive action begin the largest These are his words, not mine mass deportation effort in the history of our country, and they do target one million undocumented immigrants in our country to deport per year. That will require federal, state, and local law enforcement. It may involve the National Guard, it may involve the US military. It will certainly have to involve some form of detention facilities. There's a private firm that announced today that runs prisons in our country that they expect to be a contracted entity to imprisoned undocumented immigrants in between their status here in the United States and their eventual deportation. If those things begin to happen in the first week of his presidency, the concept of healing and the concept of unity will be tested. And that's putting it mildly well.

And people will probably realize just how deeply in in our economy workers who are undocumented are, and maybe the reaction will be different than it is to rhetoric on the campaign trail. Let's go to Craig, who's in Saint Martinsville, Louisiana. Craig, welcome to the middle Go ahead.

And people will probably realize just how deeply in in our economy workers who are undocumented are, and maybe the reaction will be different than it is to rhetoric on the campaign trail. Let's go to Craig, who's in Saint Martinsville, Louisiana. Craig, welcome to the middle Go ahead.

He I feel he's going to.

He I feel he's going to.

Attempt a third and fourth term.

Attempt a third and fourth term.

Okay, so let's take that at that point. Rose Scott, I remember being a citizen of New York City many years ago when Michael Bloomberg, the mayor, actually did get the city council to allow him to run for a third term, and he did and he won that third term. How much fear is there? Do you think of this that Donald Trump, given all the power that Craig just mentioned there, would try to stay in power longer or something like that.

Okay, so let's take that at that point. Rose Scott, I remember being a citizen of New York City many years ago when Michael Bloomberg, the mayor, actually did get the city council to allow him to run for a third term, and he did and he won that third term. How much fear is there? Do you think of this that Donald Trump, given all the power that Craig just mentioned there, would try to stay in power longer or something like that.

I love that you give me all the fear questions. Well, anything's possible with Donald Trump, right, And you know the thing about me, and I think my listeners here in Atlanta know that. And I subscribe to a lot of people who I consider heroes. And she rose and you know, Barbara Jordan says, Look, if the society today allows wrongs to go on challenge, the impression is created that those wrongs have the approval of the majority, and if folks want to the powers that be allow him to get another term.

I love that you give me all the fear questions. Well, anything's possible with Donald Trump, right, And you know the thing about me, and I think my listeners here in Atlanta know that. And I subscribe to a lot of people who I consider heroes. And she rose and you know, Barbara Jordan says, Look, if the society today allows wrongs to go on challenge, the impression is created that those wrongs have the approval of the majority, and if folks want to the powers that be allow him to get another term.

There you have it.

There you have it.

Let's go to Eric who is in Jennison, Michigan. Eric, welcome to the middle. Go ahead with your hopes or fears for the future.

Let's go to Eric who is in Jennison, Michigan. Eric, welcome to the middle. Go ahead with your hopes or fears for the future.

Yeah, I hope we can come together as a nation and kind of put aside who we voted for and why, and also just kind of accept the results and hopefully just focus on prices and making America livable by making it affordable, because there's way too many families that are struggling out there. And I was a little disheartened when the first things I hear what the Democrats did wrong. I didn't even vote for president. I skipped that one because I don't support any candidate. I couldn't pick one personally, and kind of accept that. But the first things I hear what the Democrats had drawn or why they lost is because a woman in color couldn't be, you know, chosen by the masses. And I think that's kind of further flaming the fears and flaming the things that we need to move on past as a nation, because I think she was a flawed candidate. She didn't even win the primary. She was set up with a very short runway that was probably impossible to land on. So yeah, I just see Ann jump to that right away last night when when Trump was kind of determined to be the winner, and it just kind of turned me off a little bit.

Yeah, I hope we can come together as a nation and kind of put aside who we voted for and why, and also just kind of accept the results and hopefully just focus on prices and making America livable by making it affordable, because there's way too many families that are struggling out there. And I was a little disheartened when the first things I hear what the Democrats did wrong. I didn't even vote for president. I skipped that one because I don't support any candidate. I couldn't pick one personally, and kind of accept that. But the first things I hear what the Democrats had drawn or why they lost is because a woman in color couldn't be, you know, chosen by the masses. And I think that's kind of further flaming the fears and flaming the things that we need to move on past as a nation, because I think she was a flawed candidate. She didn't even win the primary. She was set up with a very short runway that was probably impossible to land on. So yeah, I just see Ann jump to that right away last night when when Trump was kind of determined to be the winner, and it just kind of turned me off a little bit.

Oh So, Eric, let me just ask you quickly, then why didn't you vote for president?

Oh So, Eric, let me just ask you quickly, then why didn't you vote for president?

Because I didn't agree with either candidate. I think Trump's done some things that are that you can't really dismiss. And I don't think Camilla had really earned her place as the party leader. No one, we didn't vote her in there.

Because I didn't agree with either candidate. I think Trump's done some things that are that you can't really dismiss. And I don't think Camilla had really earned her place as the party leader. No one, we didn't vote her in there.

I guess, yeah, yeah, okay, Eric, thank you very much for that. I guess major We're gonna just fall into Rose's trap here. I'm going to give you the hope and then she'll get the fear. But that's actually it's interesting. Eric is probably representative of a lot of people if Kamala Harris's numbers were so much lower than Joe Biden's, who just decided they weren't going to vote for the candidate at all.

I guess, yeah, yeah, okay, Eric, thank you very much for that. I guess major We're gonna just fall into Rose's trap here. I'm going to give you the hope and then she'll get the fear. But that's actually it's interesting. Eric is probably representative of a lot of people if Kamala Harris's numbers were so much lower than Joe Biden's, who just decided they weren't going to vote for the candidate at all.

Look, and I think Rose will back me up on this. There is a reflexive desire among many Americans, most of them white, to say stop talking about race as an answer to whatever the question is. And I understand that reflective because it's uncomfortable for white Americans to reconcile themselves to actual lived history and things that we can see but we'd rather not notice. I'm not saying that's the only reasons or even the principal reason. But there is clearly in our country, clearly a hesitation I won't say a version, but a hesitation to invest in this particular office, the powers from the presidency in the hands of a woman. And until it is seen, it is invisible. Until it happens, it is impossible. And I don't know when, if ever, that day is going to come. I suspect it will. But we have lived history, this time with a woman of color who received fewer votes even though there was much more active on the ground communication and mobilization than occurred for Hillary Clinton or that occurred for Joe Biden, because they didn't do that during the pandemic. You have to factor that in, whether it's uncomfortable for you to factor it in or not.

Look, and I think Rose will back me up on this. There is a reflexive desire among many Americans, most of them white, to say stop talking about race as an answer to whatever the question is. And I understand that reflective because it's uncomfortable for white Americans to reconcile themselves to actual lived history and things that we can see but we'd rather not notice. I'm not saying that's the only reasons or even the principal reason. But there is clearly in our country, clearly a hesitation I won't say a version, but a hesitation to invest in this particular office, the powers from the presidency in the hands of a woman. And until it is seen, it is invisible. Until it happens, it is impossible. And I don't know when, if ever, that day is going to come. I suspect it will. But we have lived history, this time with a woman of color who received fewer votes even though there was much more active on the ground communication and mobilization than occurred for Hillary Clinton or that occurred for Joe Biden, because they didn't do that during the pandemic. You have to factor that in, whether it's uncomfortable for you to factor it in or not.

Let's go to David in Salt Lake City. David, welcome to the middle.

Let's go to David in Salt Lake City. David, welcome to the middle.

Go ahead with all the talk, and it's not both ways back and forth about Donald Trump, you know, being involved with the Project twenty twenty five, you know that he's hinted that, you know, key people involved with the drafting of of that document will be close to him in his cabinet or just you know, in his circle while he's in office, possibly influencing policy. Just it worries me if just the uh, the push of Christian nationalism that's been going on in our country, which you know, being a Christian is not inherently a bad thing, but the views that I've been seeing in this document and what I've been hearing on the internet just worry me. They seems so extreme, and I'm worried that that is going to push forward with the Trump president.

Go ahead with all the talk, and it's not both ways back and forth about Donald Trump, you know, being involved with the Project twenty twenty five, you know that he's hinted that, you know, key people involved with the drafting of of that document will be close to him in his cabinet or just you know, in his circle while he's in office, possibly influencing policy. Just it worries me if just the uh, the push of Christian nationalism that's been going on in our country, which you know, being a Christian is not inherently a bad thing, but the views that I've been seeing in this document and what I've been hearing on the internet just worry me. They seems so extreme, and I'm worried that that is going to push forward with the Trump president.

Seed David, thank you for that Rose Scott Project twenty twenty five. Donald Trump claimed during the campaign that he wasn't associated with it, but the Heritage Foundation has been kind of coming up with a plan for a lot of things in his administration. They're the ones that came up with Project twenty twenty five. What about that? What about David's thoughts there?

Seed David, thank you for that Rose Scott Project twenty twenty five. Donald Trump claimed during the campaign that he wasn't associated with it, but the Heritage Foundation has been kind of coming up with a plan for a lot of things in his administration. They're the ones that came up with Project twenty twenty five. What about that? What about David's thoughts there?

Well, doesn't j d Vance have a direct.

Well, doesn't j d Vance have a direct.

Forward right an be right for right exactly?

Forward right an be right for right exactly?

You know, and listen, I don't want to sound flippid. I don't want well, look, no matter how I signed, folks are gonna did. She's an angry black woman because look that's how I was born. And no matter what I say or do, But it's not hard Jeremy and Major. It's not hard for people to access accurate and credible information.

You know, and listen, I don't want to sound flippid. I don't want well, look, no matter how I signed, folks are gonna did. She's an angry black woman because look that's how I was born. And no matter what I say or do, But it's not hard Jeremy and Major. It's not hard for people to access accurate and credible information.

It's not that hard.

It's not that hard.

And as Majors just said, whether people want to admit it or not, are they're uncomfortable about race? The bottom line is a big part of this is about race and sex for gender wherever people prefer it is.

And as Majors just said, whether people want to admit it or not, are they're uncomfortable about race? The bottom line is a big part of this is about race and sex for gender wherever people prefer it is.

Yes, I mean I don't know. I don't know what more. And it's not that I'm taking sides. It is what it is.

Yes, I mean I don't know. I don't know what more. And it's not that I'm taking sides. It is what it is.

I know what I see, I talk to people. I've been a journalist for almost thirty years. I live in this country. I'm a black woman in this country. Don't dismiss what it means for me to be discriminated is because of the color of my skin or my gender.

I know what I see, I talk to people. I've been a journalist for almost thirty years. I live in this country. I'm a black woman in this country. Don't dismiss what it means for me to be discriminated is because of the color of my skin or my gender.

Tell Major sort of to that point, how much do you think Americans are voting on policy? Could because we had President Trump famously say I have concepts of a plan. Do you think Americans were voting on policy or just on vibe who they like character?

Tell Major sort of to that point, how much do you think Americans are voting on policy? Could because we had President Trump famously say I have concepts of a plan. Do you think Americans were voting on policy or just on vibe who they like character?

Yeah, well, they clearly were not voting on character, because even a majority of Trump supporters, meaning those who voted for him, whether they're supporters or not, maybe a different distinction, but those who voted for him acknowledged deep reservations about his characters, so character was not a discounting factor for people who voted for former President Trump it comes to policy. He made a reference in the debate, the one and only debate about the future of the Affordable Care Act otherwise known as Obamacare. We'll get rid of it or we'll change it dramatically. What are you going to do? Live concepts of a plan. The Republican Party as currently composed doesn't have a concept of a plan. I covered the first two years of the Trump administration when there was a Republican House and a Republican Senate. The House did pass the bill, the Senate Republicans had no interest in that bill, drafted an entirely different one. There was no meeting of the minds. The Trump White House didn't know what it wanted, and they found it to be incredibly fraught political terrain. The Affordable Care Act is even more popular now than it was then, so I don't think they have a plan or even the political will to pursue that. That doesn't mean they're not going to pursue other things like tariffs and tax cuts, reducing the corporate tax rate from twenty one percent to a target of fifteen percent. That will benefit corporations, and that will benefit the wealthiest in this country. There will be some ancillary benefit to middle class and aspiring middle class Americans, but the preponderance of those benefits will go to the wealthiest Americans. Those are just policy facts. But when you're aggravated about inflation, when you're aggravated about either an open border or a soft border, and you don't hear from the party in power answers responsive to your direct concerns, you look for alternatives. And that's what happened.

Yeah, well, they clearly were not voting on character, because even a majority of Trump supporters, meaning those who voted for him, whether they're supporters or not, maybe a different distinction, but those who voted for him acknowledged deep reservations about his characters, so character was not a discounting factor for people who voted for former President Trump it comes to policy. He made a reference in the debate, the one and only debate about the future of the Affordable Care Act otherwise known as Obamacare. We'll get rid of it or we'll change it dramatically. What are you going to do? Live concepts of a plan. The Republican Party as currently composed doesn't have a concept of a plan. I covered the first two years of the Trump administration when there was a Republican House and a Republican Senate. The House did pass the bill, the Senate Republicans had no interest in that bill, drafted an entirely different one. There was no meeting of the minds. The Trump White House didn't know what it wanted, and they found it to be incredibly fraught political terrain. The Affordable Care Act is even more popular now than it was then, so I don't think they have a plan or even the political will to pursue that. That doesn't mean they're not going to pursue other things like tariffs and tax cuts, reducing the corporate tax rate from twenty one percent to a target of fifteen percent. That will benefit corporations, and that will benefit the wealthiest in this country. There will be some ancillary benefit to middle class and aspiring middle class Americans, but the preponderance of those benefits will go to the wealthiest Americans. Those are just policy facts. But when you're aggravated about inflation, when you're aggravated about either an open border or a soft border, and you don't hear from the party in power answers responsive to your direct concerns, you look for alternatives. And that's what happened.

And he's right, He's right, Jeremy.

And he's right, He's right, Jeremy.

And look, we've been talking about this, and I know you have some college to get to, so but let me just say this. I know that when people go into the polling location and right and they have to make Am I making a choice for my investment in the future. I am making a choice for how I'm living right now? And I understand it. It's called six dollars a garden, all right.

And look, we've been talking about this, and I know you have some college to get to, so but let me just say this. I know that when people go into the polling location and right and they have to make Am I making a choice for my investment in the future. I am making a choice for how I'm living right now? And I understand it. It's called six dollars a garden, all right.

Six dollars you're not getting the nice ones that are that are where they're good to the chickens.

Six dollars you're not getting the nice ones that are that are where they're good to the chickens.

Well, right, that's more.

Well, right, that's more.

Brett is with us from Tetonia, Idaho. Brett, what are your hopes or fears of the future.

Brett is with us from Tetonia, Idaho. Brett, what are your hopes or fears of the future.

Well, my hopes are that if given the ability and has a plan, that Donald Trump can actually do what he says he says.

Well, my hopes are that if given the ability and has a plan, that Donald Trump can actually do what he says he says.

He will do.

He will do.

But we have to admit both candidates made promises a lot of promises of how they would fix everything, but all those promises require a lot of work to make come to fruition, and both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. I was not a supporter of his, but I am an American and I realized that we have to go along with it for now. And he's got at least at least a dollid two years to at least prove that what he's promised that he makes come to fruition, and if he doesn't, then we have to work on how we restructure things so that we can move forward to the next presidential election. But I also have to mention that something that's maybe often talked about but not talked about in depth. I'm an American citizen. I've traveled the world running rivers, difficult rivers, and probably the most difficult thing I've ever gone through in my life was the American immigration system. Where I married a woman from outside of the country, tried to bring her in and it was the most difficult, heartless process I've ever gone through in my life.

But we have to admit both candidates made promises a lot of promises of how they would fix everything, but all those promises require a lot of work to make come to fruition, and both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. I was not a supporter of his, but I am an American and I realized that we have to go along with it for now. And he's got at least at least a dollid two years to at least prove that what he's promised that he makes come to fruition, and if he doesn't, then we have to work on how we restructure things so that we can move forward to the next presidential election. But I also have to mention that something that's maybe often talked about but not talked about in depth. I'm an American citizen. I've traveled the world running rivers, difficult rivers, and probably the most difficult thing I've ever gone through in my life was the American immigration system. Where I married a woman from outside of the country, tried to bring her in and it was the most difficult, heartless process I've ever gone through in my life.

So do you think that it's going to get worse than with with Trump's plans, that it's going to get harder, or or do you think that I.

So do you think that it's going to get worse than with with Trump's plans, that it's going to get harder, or or do you think that I.

Think it's already. I think the immigration process has already broken from I tried this in two thousand and five, right is when I went through this process, and so the process itself is clearly broken, right, the paperwork process, the process of someone applying to be I was an American citizen bringing in my legally married wife and it was a two year process that cost me tens of thousands.

Think it's already. I think the immigration process has already broken from I tried this in two thousand and five, right is when I went through this process, and so the process itself is clearly broken, right, the paperwork process, the process of someone applying to be I was an American citizen bringing in my legally married wife and it was a two year process that cost me tens of thousands.

So just to close the loop, Brett, are you excited that that there will be changing immigration and deportation policy by President Trump?

So just to close the loop, Brett, are you excited that that there will be changing immigration and deportation policy by President Trump?

But I'm not excited whatsoever about that, because I don't think that that's the point that they're dealing with. They're steaky talking about the border, right, the border being the problem, the border isn't the problem.

But I'm not excited whatsoever about that, because I don't think that that's the point that they're dealing with. They're steaky talking about the border, right, the border being the problem, the border isn't the problem.

But not not worrying about not working on the actual immigration process. We'll have to see what happens there. Briefly, major, Garrett, that is going to be one of the most important things that happens at the beginning of his Trump as you mentioned, a mass deportation.

But not not worrying about not working on the actual immigration process. We'll have to see what happens there. Briefly, major, Garrett, that is going to be one of the most important things that happens at the beginning of his Trump as you mentioned, a mass deportation.

Yes, since I've already outlined the difficulties there. But just for the caller's point, Yeah, we have an asylum system in our country that it's overwhelmed. Judicially. We don't have enough courts or judges to handle the evidence presented by the seeking asylum of refugee status. That's a problem. And when you go through the legal processes the caller did, and it takes as long as it does. You know what you do when you live in desperate economic or personal safety circumstances. You don't go through that process because it takes too long and you don't have that time. You are a desperate individual and you try to cross our border illegally because you have to find a way to live. And that is a fundamental truth. And until we reform the way we handle the legal part of this process, we will always have a bubble of illegal immigration.

Yes, since I've already outlined the difficulties there. But just for the caller's point, Yeah, we have an asylum system in our country that it's overwhelmed. Judicially. We don't have enough courts or judges to handle the evidence presented by the seeking asylum of refugee status. That's a problem. And when you go through the legal processes the caller did, and it takes as long as it does. You know what you do when you live in desperate economic or personal safety circumstances. You don't go through that process because it takes too long and you don't have that time. You are a desperate individual and you try to cross our border illegally because you have to find a way to live. And that is a fundamental truth. And until we reform the way we handle the legal part of this process, we will always have a bubble of illegal immigration.

Tolliver just a comment or two from What's coming in online.

Tolliver just a comment or two from What's coming in online.

Yeah, Candace, a self described soccer mom, says Trump would not have gained the ground he did with the Latino vote. If the Dems didn't rest on their laurels. As a Latina woman who would now characterize myself as an independent, I'm incredibly disappointed in the Democratic Party. They had zero strategy. David Ohio says, I'm not a Trump supporter, but I stayed home and I'm happy about the outcome. To be clear, I didn't dislike Kamal as a candidate. I'm glad the Democratic staff lost. Maybe they'll start paying attention to working people.

Yeah, Candace, a self described soccer mom, says Trump would not have gained the ground he did with the Latino vote. If the Dems didn't rest on their laurels. As a Latina woman who would now characterize myself as an independent, I'm incredibly disappointed in the Democratic Party. They had zero strategy. David Ohio says, I'm not a Trump supporter, but I stayed home and I'm happy about the outcome. To be clear, I didn't dislike Kamal as a candidate. I'm glad the Democratic staff lost. Maybe they'll start paying attention to working people.

Interesting to hear so many people say that they stayed home. Stand by because, Wow, Tolliver, we are getting a lot of calls, a lot of very interesting callers line from around the country. We've got more of them coming up right after this. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobbson this hour, we're asking you what do the election results mean for you? What are your hopes and your fears for the future. You can call us at eight four four four Middle. That's eight four four four six four three three five three. You can also reach out at listen to Themiddle dot com. I'm joined by Rose Scott at WABE, the public radio station in Atlanta, and Major Garrett Chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, And just before we go back to the phones, Rose Scott, You're in Atlanta, home to one of the many legal cases against Donald Trump, the one in Georgia, which involves his attempt to overturn the twenty twenty election. He was famously asking the Secretary of State to find him those votes. What happens now to that case, since it has nothing to do with the US Justice Department, Well.

Interesting to hear so many people say that they stayed home. Stand by because, Wow, Tolliver, we are getting a lot of calls, a lot of very interesting callers line from around the country. We've got more of them coming up right after this. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobbson this hour, we're asking you what do the election results mean for you? What are your hopes and your fears for the future. You can call us at eight four four four Middle. That's eight four four four six four three three five three. You can also reach out at listen to Themiddle dot com. I'm joined by Rose Scott at WABE, the public radio station in Atlanta, and Major Garrett Chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, And just before we go back to the phones, Rose Scott, You're in Atlanta, home to one of the many legal cases against Donald Trump, the one in Georgia, which involves his attempt to overturn the twenty twenty election. He was famously asking the Secretary of State to find him those votes. What happens now to that case, since it has nothing to do with the US Justice Department, Well.

That's a very good question. Fannie Willis Fulton Kind district attorney who just won a reelection here in Fulton County, has not said much about it, but there's some speculation that one or two things have happened. This could be delayed until about twenty twenty nine, after Trump's second term in office, or the Supreme Court could intervene, and we know that he has a very favorable Supreme Court. They could intervene and listen eight felonies down from originally thirteen. That could be in favor for Donald Trump. But also December fifth, Jeremy here in Georgia, the Georgia Kover Appeals will hear the arguments because Trump and about eight others co defendants they want Fannie Will still removed from this case and a decision could come later in March of twenty twenty five. So there are a couple of things that could work in favor of President elect Trump.

That's a very good question. Fannie Willis Fulton Kind district attorney who just won a reelection here in Fulton County, has not said much about it, but there's some speculation that one or two things have happened. This could be delayed until about twenty twenty nine, after Trump's second term in office, or the Supreme Court could intervene, and we know that he has a very favorable Supreme Court. They could intervene and listen eight felonies down from originally thirteen. That could be in favor for Donald Trump. But also December fifth, Jeremy here in Georgia, the Georgia Kover Appeals will hear the arguments because Trump and about eight others co defendants they want Fannie Will still removed from this case and a decision could come later in March of twenty twenty five. So there are a couple of things that could work in favor of President elect Trump.

We just don't know.

We just don't know.

Let's go to Jim, who is in Northport, Alabama. Jim, welcome to the middle, Go ahead.

Let's go to Jim, who is in Northport, Alabama. Jim, welcome to the middle, Go ahead.

Thanks for taking my call. Yeah, I was just wondering. I had heard that President elect Trump might possibly suspend the Constitution at some time, and so I was just wondering if your panel could have a discussion of how that might be done successfully or now.

Thanks for taking my call. Yeah, I was just wondering. I had heard that President elect Trump might possibly suspend the Constitution at some time, and so I was just wondering if your panel could have a discussion of how that might be done successfully or now.

Jim, thank you getting to the heart of the matter there, Major Garrett, he has He did say at one point that he was going to suspend the constitution, kind of walk that back, but also said he was going to be a dictator on day one. What about that?

Jim, thank you getting to the heart of the matter there, Major Garrett, he has He did say at one point that he was going to suspend the constitution, kind of walk that back, but also said he was going to be a dictator on day one. What about that?

Yeah, So the great question for the country, abstractly and practically is when is Trump to be taken seriously? When is he taken to be directional or even just intentionally hyperbolic. It means he has no intention of doing what he says, He's just trying to get your attention. Well, when it comes to the Constitution, we're going to find out, and one of the earlier callers said he had some concern about Trump not leaving office about seeking another term. Look, there are people within the trumpest conservative echo chamber that have already written about this, who said the Constitution's interpretation of two terms only refers to two consecutive terms, and if they're separated, that doesn't apply. We've never tested that theory, but that those in the Trump legal echo chamber have already written it, wrote it months ago. Tells you that this is an idea that will cross his desk if in fact President elect Trump wants to heal the country be a unifying figure. Among the things he should most quickly clear up is his status as an elected and re elected president and make it unequivocally clear he will create no apparatus and he will not seek reelection and that's it, and be final about that. Any ambiguity around that will leave this question hanging and all other constitutional related matters in limbo.

Yeah, So the great question for the country, abstractly and practically is when is Trump to be taken seriously? When is he taken to be directional or even just intentionally hyperbolic. It means he has no intention of doing what he says, He's just trying to get your attention. Well, when it comes to the Constitution, we're going to find out, and one of the earlier callers said he had some concern about Trump not leaving office about seeking another term. Look, there are people within the trumpest conservative echo chamber that have already written about this, who said the Constitution's interpretation of two terms only refers to two consecutive terms, and if they're separated, that doesn't apply. We've never tested that theory, but that those in the Trump legal echo chamber have already written it, wrote it months ago. Tells you that this is an idea that will cross his desk if in fact President elect Trump wants to heal the country be a unifying figure. Among the things he should most quickly clear up is his status as an elected and re elected president and make it unequivocally clear he will create no apparatus and he will not seek reelection and that's it, and be final about that. Any ambiguity around that will leave this question hanging and all other constitutional related matters in limbo.

And by the end of that third term, he'd be what eighty two eight, He's seventy eight right now.

And by the end of that third term, he'd be what eighty two eight, He's seventy eight right now.

Jen is in Atlanta, Georgia. Jen, welcome to the middle.

Jen is in Atlanta, Georgia. Jen, welcome to the middle.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

I just wanted to say that some of my fears go far beyond Trump. I do believe that he is and I think a lot of people don't think he's particularly talented in governing. He has a short attention span, he's a ratic. We want to go into his intelligence level when it comes to governing, and if it's an area that he's not interested in, he's just come handed to someone else. I think most of what happened the first time he was in was going on in the background McConnell and his group. I don't think Trump really did much, and I feel like there's a lot of people who have agendas that are more intelligent in him, like maybe a JD Vance or something, who could, even if Trump becomes incapacitated, take over. Who are going to be trying to get hold of certain things and start running with those things, and Trump will let them if it doesn't directly affect him. The other thing that worries me is the maybe not too just in future when Trump is long gone, because he's laid down a blueprint for people that are smarter, more organized, and really do want to take what we have here and undermine it and take it over and destroy it. There's a pathway now that has been clearly laid out, and all it takes is someone who isn't such a Barnum and Bailey kind of guy like Trump is, and who's really a little more devious and a lot more intelligent.

I just wanted to say that some of my fears go far beyond Trump. I do believe that he is and I think a lot of people don't think he's particularly talented in governing. He has a short attention span, he's a ratic. We want to go into his intelligence level when it comes to governing, and if it's an area that he's not interested in, he's just come handed to someone else. I think most of what happened the first time he was in was going on in the background McConnell and his group. I don't think Trump really did much, and I feel like there's a lot of people who have agendas that are more intelligent in him, like maybe a JD Vance or something, who could, even if Trump becomes incapacitated, take over. Who are going to be trying to get hold of certain things and start running with those things, and Trump will let them if it doesn't directly affect him. The other thing that worries me is the maybe not too just in future when Trump is long gone, because he's laid down a blueprint for people that are smarter, more organized, and really do want to take what we have here and undermine it and take it over and destroy it. There's a pathway now that has been clearly laid out, and all it takes is someone who isn't such a Barnum and Bailey kind of guy like Trump is, and who's really a little more devious and a lot more intelligent.

More Jen, thank you for that, Rose Scott. Jen's point, I guess it's the people around Trump that most concerns her well.

More Jen, thank you for that, Rose Scott. Jen's point, I guess it's the people around Trump that most concerns her well.

And I also think that Jen hit on the point, and as she was closing out, is that there is a blueprint that's been laid that if you can get your base to support you, even through all of the shenanigans, even through all of the lies, even through all of the nastiness, and you still can get a base to support you, and then even chip away at other voter demographics to to fall in line and support for you.

And I also think that Jen hit on the point, and as she was closing out, is that there is a blueprint that's been laid that if you can get your base to support you, even through all of the shenanigans, even through all of the lies, even through all of the nastiness, and you still can get a base to support you, and then even chip away at other voter demographics to to fall in line and support for you.

She's absolutely right.

She's absolutely right.

That is a blueprint that is a template for someone to come along who may may have a more pleasant personality, you know, maybe more more charismatic, but still has that same type of plan.

That is a blueprint that is a template for someone to come along who may may have a more pleasant personality, you know, maybe more more charismatic, but still has that same type of plan.

Let me squeeze in a couple more calls here. Jude is in Providence, Rhode Island. Jude, Welcome to the middle.

Let me squeeze in a couple more calls here. Jude is in Providence, Rhode Island. Jude, Welcome to the middle.

Go ahead, Hi, Jeremy, thank you for taking my call. I'm fearful, you know, as a gay white man, I fear that, you know, my new marriage to my husband could be gone in an instant.

Go ahead, Hi, Jeremy, thank you for taking my call. I'm fearful, you know, as a gay white man, I fear that, you know, my new marriage to my husband could be gone in an instant.

Uh.

Uh.

You know, Clarence Thomas already mentioned that that that you know, should be read discovered, and I think, you know, as as miss Scott correctly pointed out, we've been here before, and plenty of people have said, and I agree with this, When Donald Trump tells you he's going to do something, he's going to do it. And so I think it's only a matter of time before we see everything that he's laid out is going to start happening. And I would encourage people to read The Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum.

You know, Clarence Thomas already mentioned that that that you know, should be read discovered, and I think, you know, as as miss Scott correctly pointed out, we've been here before, and plenty of people have said, and I agree with this, When Donald Trump tells you he's going to do something, he's going to do it. And so I think it's only a matter of time before we see everything that he's laid out is going to start happening. And I would encourage people to read The Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum.

Because it lays out a really good.

Because it lays out a really good.

You of how Victor Orbon and other autocrats and fascists in this world have have started their regimes, and Donald Trump has started his right with the mass deportations. That's the first thing they always do.

You of how Victor Orbon and other autocrats and fascists in this world have have started their regimes, and Donald Trump has started his right with the mass deportations. That's the first thing they always do.

Jude, thank you, I yeah, thank you very much a lot there. But I really appreciate your call. And you know, we do know that in addition to gay men being being worried in the way that Jude is, that probably a lot of trans people in this country very worried, especially because that ad that the Trump campaign ran to the tune of tens of millions of dollars in the Swing States that said Kamala Harris is for they them, Donald Trump is for you. Seen as really anti trans Let's get to Zayin, who's in Philadelphia, Zain, welcome to the middle, Go ahead.

Jude, thank you, I yeah, thank you very much a lot there. But I really appreciate your call. And you know, we do know that in addition to gay men being being worried in the way that Jude is, that probably a lot of trans people in this country very worried, especially because that ad that the Trump campaign ran to the tune of tens of millions of dollars in the Swing States that said Kamala Harris is for they them, Donald Trump is for you. Seen as really anti trans Let's get to Zayin, who's in Philadelphia, Zain, welcome to the middle, Go ahead.

I would say it's more of a discipline ointment for me personally than a fear. I feel like I kind of, you know, saw this coming a bit. I'm you know, disappointed that I feel like we really fumbled an opportunity here. I think, you know, a lot of a lot of this loss. You know, while there are a lot of elements like racism and sexism there, that it also comes down to a policy focus, like you know, the the issue in Goza and Palestine was really big among you know, other issues. But I think personally, for me, I'm I'm disappointed, you know too, I was going to be disappointed either way. I just think, you know, on one hand, we were going to have to fight. On the other hand, we're going to have to fight even harder. And you know, for me, that looks like you know, organizing coming together, making sure that we stay informed, you know, vet vetting the sources where we get our information, and you know, when the government does something that we don't like, rallying together and making our voices heard and making sure that you know, we stand up and fight for those things.

I would say it's more of a discipline ointment for me personally than a fear. I feel like I kind of, you know, saw this coming a bit. I'm you know, disappointed that I feel like we really fumbled an opportunity here. I think, you know, a lot of a lot of this loss. You know, while there are a lot of elements like racism and sexism there, that it also comes down to a policy focus, like you know, the the issue in Goza and Palestine was really big among you know, other issues. But I think personally, for me, I'm I'm disappointed, you know too, I was going to be disappointed either way. I just think, you know, on one hand, we were going to have to fight. On the other hand, we're going to have to fight even harder. And you know, for me, that looks like you know, organizing coming together, making sure that we stay informed, you know, vet vetting the sources where we get our information, and you know, when the government does something that we don't like, rallying together and making our voices heard and making sure that you know, we stand up and fight for those things.

Zane, thank you for that, Major Garrett. I guess Zane's point that now he will organize and five for the things he believes in. What did the Democrats do from here now?

Zane, thank you for that, Major Garrett. I guess Zane's point that now he will organize and five for the things he believes in. What did the Democrats do from here now?

A lot of things, But first I just want to address Jude's concern expressed a moment ago, because in twenty twenty two, the Respect for Marriage Act was passed and signed into law by President Biden. That requires every state in the country to respect the validity of same sex marriages, and that's universal. That was passed in response to a Clarence Thomas footnote in one case questioning the Supreme Court's constitutional interpretation that the Constitution protected not only same sex marriage as it did in Obergefeld, but also interracial marriage, as it did in Loving Reed, Virginia. So Congress saw that, was alarmed and passed the law and it's been signed by President Biden that clarifies that status. And I hope that is of some comfort to Jude. What do Democrats have to do? Look, this is I've covered national politics, Jeremy. It's been the great privilege of my life. It's what I dreamed about being able to do as a child, and I've been able to do it since nineteen ninety. And every time there's an election that goes demonstrably in one direction, the losing party comes to the conclusion, in all of its emotional, overwrought tension and exhaustion, that it can't do anything right. Similarly, the winning party suddenly assumes it can do nothing wrong, and the winning party begins to overreach, and the losing party begins to re examine itself, quite and much faster than most Americans appreciate. Things begin to churn. I was at press conference after press conference in two thousand and four after John Kerry lost to George W. Bush, where Democrats were convinced there was no hope, there was no future. Karl Robe was talking about the permanent realignment of a Republican majority in the country. In two thousand and six, Democrats retook Congress, and in two thousand and eight Barack Obama was elected president. Things can and do shift and they can happen quickly.

A lot of things, But first I just want to address Jude's concern expressed a moment ago, because in twenty twenty two, the Respect for Marriage Act was passed and signed into law by President Biden. That requires every state in the country to respect the validity of same sex marriages, and that's universal. That was passed in response to a Clarence Thomas footnote in one case questioning the Supreme Court's constitutional interpretation that the Constitution protected not only same sex marriage as it did in Obergefeld, but also interracial marriage, as it did in Loving Reed, Virginia. So Congress saw that, was alarmed and passed the law and it's been signed by President Biden that clarifies that status. And I hope that is of some comfort to Jude. What do Democrats have to do? Look, this is I've covered national politics, Jeremy. It's been the great privilege of my life. It's what I dreamed about being able to do as a child, and I've been able to do it since nineteen ninety. And every time there's an election that goes demonstrably in one direction, the losing party comes to the conclusion, in all of its emotional, overwrought tension and exhaustion, that it can't do anything right. Similarly, the winning party suddenly assumes it can do nothing wrong, and the winning party begins to overreach, and the losing party begins to re examine itself, quite and much faster than most Americans appreciate. Things begin to churn. I was at press conference after press conference in two thousand and four after John Kerry lost to George W. Bush, where Democrats were convinced there was no hope, there was no future. Karl Robe was talking about the permanent realignment of a Republican majority in the country. In two thousand and six, Democrats retook Congress, and in two thousand and eight Barack Obama was elected president. Things can and do shift and they can happen quickly.

Let's go to Gregory in Houston. Gregory, welcome to the middle What do you think hopees for fears?

Let's go to Gregory in Houston. Gregory, welcome to the middle What do you think hopees for fears?

We always can have hope. But at the same time, he kind of got a fear, you know, who's in charge. And like I said, we dealt with him four years once before, and this four years is gonna be a little bit more harder, you know, because of the rhetoric, you know, all the things he kept going. And I just think like right now that you know, the economy is doing good, is getting there. It's not where we want it, but it's getting there. So he's he's, like I said, he's gonna take over a good economy. It's gonna make him look good. Everybody gonna be screaming at Holland about how good they was doing under Trump administration, realizing that those were Obama economics that he was doing good under. And after this first year when he put his economic plan into play, were gonna really see what Trump is all about. You know.

We always can have hope. But at the same time, he kind of got a fear, you know, who's in charge. And like I said, we dealt with him four years once before, and this four years is gonna be a little bit more harder, you know, because of the rhetoric, you know, all the things he kept going. And I just think like right now that you know, the economy is doing good, is getting there. It's not where we want it, but it's getting there. So he's he's, like I said, he's gonna take over a good economy. It's gonna make him look good. Everybody gonna be screaming at Holland about how good they was doing under Trump administration, realizing that those were Obama economics that he was doing good under. And after this first year when he put his economic plan into play, were gonna really see what Trump is all about. You know.

I think it's that Colors point. Sorry so sorry to cut you off. I think to your point, the Harrison Ministry, the Biden Harris administration really struggled to outline their successes. You know, the economy, like you said, is doing really really well right now. They passed a huge infrastructure, but I feel like voters didn't know about any of that stuff.

I think it's that Colors point. Sorry so sorry to cut you off. I think to your point, the Harrison Ministry, the Biden Harris administration really struggled to outline their successes. You know, the economy, like you said, is doing really really well right now. They passed a huge infrastructure, but I feel like voters didn't know about any of that stuff.

Scott, He's absolutely no, He's absolutely right, and and and it is it was it, Jeremy, I'm sorry.

Scott, He's absolutely no, He's absolutely right, and and and it is it was it, Jeremy, I'm sorry.

Yeah, that's right. Gregory is absolutely right.

Yeah, that's right. Gregory is absolutely right.

And also tell I'm gonna go back to something that Major Garrett talked about in terms of the Democrats and and look, they need to realize if they haven't, that the realignment in this country not necessary, that it's just down the line of Democrats and Republicans.