Hey everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to work in Progress. Hi rips Marty's. I hope you're all taking care of yourselves, you know, mentally, physically, emotionally. I'm trying my best over here. Tomorrow is election day here in America, and today we are joined for a special episode by one of the most brilliant journalists I know, who's going to give us her perspective from inside the newsroom. Today's guest is Caitlin Collins. She is an anchor on CNN. She used to be the co anchor of CNN This Morning and now hosts the show The Source. She started as a political reporter at CNN in twenty seventeen, covering the White House, and within just a few years she became the youngest chief White House correspondent in CNN's history. On her show The Source, Collins chases the facts, asks the tough question, and connects with her sources so that viewers can get the very latest. In prime time, she manages to secure exclusive interviews with political power players, including her recent attention grabbing interviews with former Attorney General William Barr, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah, who Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, GOP presidential candidates, and more. In May of twenty twenty three, cons also moderated CNN's Live Republican Presidential town hall with former President Trump, during which she pressed him on some things he apparently didn't want to be pressed on, and he called her a nasty woman. Today, I'm going to ask her how that felt, ask her what she thinks is going to happen tomorrow and this week, and you know, ask her how she's staying sane in an election season. Let's get to it.

Hey everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to work in Progress. Hi rips Marty's. I hope you're all taking care of yourselves, you know, mentally, physically, emotionally. I'm trying my best over here. Tomorrow is election day here in America, and today we are joined for a special episode by one of the most brilliant journalists I know, who's going to give us her perspective from inside the newsroom. Today's guest is Caitlin Collins. She is an anchor on CNN. She used to be the co anchor of CNN This Morning and now hosts the show The Source. She started as a political reporter at CNN in twenty seventeen, covering the White House, and within just a few years she became the youngest chief White House correspondent in CNN's history. On her show The Source, Collins chases the facts, asks the tough question, and connects with her sources so that viewers can get the very latest. In prime time, she manages to secure exclusive interviews with political power players, including her recent attention grabbing interviews with former Attorney General William Barr, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah, who Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, GOP presidential candidates, and more. In May of twenty twenty three, cons also moderated CNN's Live Republican Presidential town hall with former President Trump, during which she pressed him on some things he apparently didn't want to be pressed on, and he called her a nasty woman. Today, I'm going to ask her how that felt, ask her what she thinks is going to happen tomorrow and this week, and you know, ask her how she's staying sane in an election season. Let's get to it.

I'm so excited to be here, to be doing this too.

I'm so excited to be here, to be doing this too.

I feel like people love this podcast so much and the conversations are just so good, and as someone who always tries to have like genuine, fun, interesting conversations, yeah, you should be very proud of it.

I feel like people love this podcast so much and the conversations are just so good, and as someone who always tries to have like genuine, fun, interesting conversations, yeah, you should be very proud of it.

Well, I am so proud, and that really means a lot. And I guess in this moment I should thank our listeners that are here with us today because if they didn't show up, we wouldn't be able to do this. So thank you for being here. Thank you to everyone at home. We're taping this. Obviously a little in advance. It's Friday, but this is going to air on Monday, which makes my breath catch in my throat. I'm sure it does for you as well. You are so steeped in the news all of the time because of your job. But obviously we are really we're down to the wire on the election, like tomorrow's our big day, although thank god, we've seen record numbers of early voting across the country, particularly from women, So shout out to the ladies. Can you give us a little bit of your newsroom perspective and talk about what you're seeing as some of the key trends and the demographic shifts that we're seeing in twenty twenty four, Like from where you sit, is this markedly different from the twenty twenty and twenty sixteen election?

Well, I am so proud, and that really means a lot. And I guess in this moment I should thank our listeners that are here with us today because if they didn't show up, we wouldn't be able to do this. So thank you for being here. Thank you to everyone at home. We're taping this. Obviously a little in advance. It's Friday, but this is going to air on Monday, which makes my breath catch in my throat. I'm sure it does for you as well. You are so steeped in the news all of the time because of your job. But obviously we are really we're down to the wire on the election, like tomorrow's our big day, although thank god, we've seen record numbers of early voting across the country, particularly from women, So shout out to the ladies. Can you give us a little bit of your newsroom perspective and talk about what you're seeing as some of the key trends and the demographic shifts that we're seeing in twenty twenty four, Like from where you sit, is this markedly different from the twenty twenty and twenty sixteen election?

I think it's a lot different because, for one, the thing that I've heard from a lot of people I've spoken away that both on the Trump campaign sides and the Harris campaign side is don't look at twenty twenty is like an indication that you're kind of measuring what's happening right now up against because twenty twenty was such an anomaly with obviously the pandemic and how differently people were voting, and even the polling, Like I heard a really smart polster, Democratic pollsters say today their polling was different in twenty twenty because more Democrats were at home, Like obviously everyone was at home during COVID, so more people were answering the phone, which I thought was really interesting actually, And so I think like maybe twenty twenty two is a better thing to look at the midterms there, which obviously did not go the way everyone thought.

I think it's a lot different because, for one, the thing that I've heard from a lot of people I've spoken away that both on the Trump campaign sides and the Harris campaign side is don't look at twenty twenty is like an indication that you're kind of measuring what's happening right now up against because twenty twenty was such an anomaly with obviously the pandemic and how differently people were voting, and even the polling, Like I heard a really smart polster, Democratic pollsters say today their polling was different in twenty twenty because more Democrats were at home, Like obviously everyone was at home during COVID, so more people were answering the phone, which I thought was really interesting actually, And so I think like maybe twenty twenty two is a better thing to look at the midterms there, which obviously did not go the way everyone thought.

They were going to go.

They were going to go.

They were predicting this huge red wave that did not materialize. And so in the sense of like looking at that, I think what I'm most interested in on Tuesday is what the early voting has meant in terms of Republicans. One, because Republicans did not vote really early in twenty twenty to a great extent because Trump was basically saying you can't trust it and don't do it. And now they realize how much that hurt them, and so they've totally shifted. So a lot of Republicans are voting early, and you know, does that cannibalize though their election day vote, which is typically when the at the people come in and vote in person, So I think that will be different. And then I'm watching the gender gap. I think the gender gap could be decisive in terms of the Trump campaign is very clearly making a play for young men and the Harris campaign is making a huge play for women. And so is that a game changer on Tuesday? Is the big question questions I have looking at it.

They were predicting this huge red wave that did not materialize. And so in the sense of like looking at that, I think what I'm most interested in on Tuesday is what the early voting has meant in terms of Republicans. One, because Republicans did not vote really early in twenty twenty to a great extent because Trump was basically saying you can't trust it and don't do it. And now they realize how much that hurt them, and so they've totally shifted. So a lot of Republicans are voting early, and you know, does that cannibalize though their election day vote, which is typically when the at the people come in and vote in person, So I think that will be different. And then I'm watching the gender gap. I think the gender gap could be decisive in terms of the Trump campaign is very clearly making a play for young men and the Harris campaign is making a huge play for women. And so is that a game changer on Tuesday? Is the big question questions I have looking at it.

And I know there's a lot of objectivity, you know, required as journalists, you're not supposed to really bring your opinions to the floor. So if you don't want to necessarily bring them to the podcast, you just let me know. But I guess it's particularly frightening to me when we talk about the gender gap that the group of young men, as you said, that the Trump campaign, the Trump Advance campaign is going after, they're going after in this very Andrew tatified way. They're going after men with really deeply misogynistic messaging, the way they're talking about women, the way they're talking about our lives, our autonomy, our economic value. I mean, the fact that you've got the Vice President of the United States of America and the former First Lady Michelle Obama having to get on stage and beg men not to let us die in the year twenty twenty four, Is it's so shocking to me, even though given what trump Ism is and what McConnell's been building the GOP into, it doesn't feel surprising, sadly, is it? Is it surreal for you to look at how these messages work from from inside of you know, a news organization.

And I know there's a lot of objectivity, you know, required as journalists, you're not supposed to really bring your opinions to the floor. So if you don't want to necessarily bring them to the podcast, you just let me know. But I guess it's particularly frightening to me when we talk about the gender gap that the group of young men, as you said, that the Trump campaign, the Trump Advance campaign is going after, they're going after in this very Andrew tatified way. They're going after men with really deeply misogynistic messaging, the way they're talking about women, the way they're talking about our lives, our autonomy, our economic value. I mean, the fact that you've got the Vice President of the United States of America and the former First Lady Michelle Obama having to get on stage and beg men not to let us die in the year twenty twenty four, Is it's so shocking to me, even though given what trump Ism is and what McConnell's been building the GOP into, it doesn't feel surprising, sadly, is it? Is it surreal for you to look at how these messages work from from inside of you know, a news organization.

Yeah, well, it's always just you know, it's like, let's see if this, you know, like bold strategy, cotton, Let's see if it pays off. Because I think, as someone who you know has reported, especially since Rover Wade was overturned with the Dobbs decision, how women have shown up has been amazing to watch in the sense of just it's like nothing you've ever seen, and no political strategists could have predicted it, and they didn't in a lot of situations like I'm thinking of, you know, in Ohio in twenty twenty two, where you know, they had an abortion measure on the ballot, and we saw just how there were voters who were women and Republicans that voted for the Republican candidate but voted also for this measure to protect the right to an abortion and put it in the state's Constitution. That was fascinating to me looking into that and what that looked like. That was more recently, but in the other ones we saw on twenty twenty two, and so seeing all of those measures since it was a return has been interesting. I'm curious to see if it's still that energizing mobilization that we'll see on Tuesday.

Yeah, well, it's always just you know, it's like, let's see if this, you know, like bold strategy, cotton, Let's see if it pays off. Because I think, as someone who you know has reported, especially since Rover Wade was overturned with the Dobbs decision, how women have shown up has been amazing to watch in the sense of just it's like nothing you've ever seen, and no political strategists could have predicted it, and they didn't in a lot of situations like I'm thinking of, you know, in Ohio in twenty twenty two, where you know, they had an abortion measure on the ballot, and we saw just how there were voters who were women and Republicans that voted for the Republican candidate but voted also for this measure to protect the right to an abortion and put it in the state's Constitution. That was fascinating to me looking into that and what that looked like. That was more recently, but in the other ones we saw on twenty twenty two, and so seeing all of those measures since it was a return has been interesting. I'm curious to see if it's still that energizing mobilization that we'll see on Tuesday.

Does it.

Does it.

I've heard from Republicans who think, like in Arizona where it's on the ballot, that people will still vote for Trump but also vote for the abortion measure, which is interesting to me. I don't know if that's true, Like maybe it's just bluster. So I'll be looking at those numbers. But I think just overall on the issue of the strategy that you alluded to there, like it's like the Joe Rogan kind of podcast, Like they're spending hours doing that. To take three hours to do a podcast in the final week of a presidential election is a big That's a sign that they think that is going to be their strategy. And I was at the Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday that was like this eight hour you know, trefecta that started off with that comedian who made the joke about Puerto Rico that now has gotten them so much backlash, and I remember hearing it, and I've been to dozens of Trump rallies, reported from a lot of them, and I was kind of you know, it's kind of a moment where you're like when you're reporting on news, you don't always know how big it is in the moment, like you can feel something is weird, or a lot of us were looking around, you know, wondering why there was a comedian on stage at a political rally anyway, and to see how it's blown up since then. But it is part of their strategy. I mean, they're just going all out for the young male vote, mostly white, mostly non college educated, and the question is is that a demographic that can deliver the White House for him?

I've heard from Republicans who think, like in Arizona where it's on the ballot, that people will still vote for Trump but also vote for the abortion measure, which is interesting to me. I don't know if that's true, Like maybe it's just bluster. So I'll be looking at those numbers. But I think just overall on the issue of the strategy that you alluded to there, like it's like the Joe Rogan kind of podcast, Like they're spending hours doing that. To take three hours to do a podcast in the final week of a presidential election is a big That's a sign that they think that is going to be their strategy. And I was at the Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday that was like this eight hour you know, trefecta that started off with that comedian who made the joke about Puerto Rico that now has gotten them so much backlash, and I remember hearing it, and I've been to dozens of Trump rallies, reported from a lot of them, and I was kind of you know, it's kind of a moment where you're like when you're reporting on news, you don't always know how big it is in the moment, like you can feel something is weird, or a lot of us were looking around, you know, wondering why there was a comedian on stage at a political rally anyway, and to see how it's blown up since then. But it is part of their strategy. I mean, they're just going all out for the young male vote, mostly white, mostly non college educated, and the question is is that a demographic that can deliver the White House for him?

And the answer might be yes.

And the answer might be yes.

Their strategy might pay off, but if it doesn't, I do think it'll be a long hard look for Republicans into you know, their messaging to women voters, which I think should not be not been.

Their strategy might pay off, but if it doesn't, I do think it'll be a long hard look for Republicans into you know, their messaging to women voters, which I think should not be not been.

You know, it hasn't resonated from what we've seen.

You know, it hasn't resonated from what we've seen.

Well, because you know, they want to end no fault divorce, which dropped the death rate of women substantially in America, women were able to leave abusive marriages, and they think that should end. They don't think we should have a right to body the autonomy. And just this week we've seen two women die in Texas in hospitals of completely treatable and you know, preventable reasons. It's it's pretty hard to argue that you're the party of family values when you want to defund education and you don't think kids should get to eat in schools. You know, Timwall's one of the things I love about him on the campaign trailers, He's like, you think I'm a communist because I want to make sure kids in Minnesota have lunch.

Well, because you know, they want to end no fault divorce, which dropped the death rate of women substantially in America, women were able to leave abusive marriages, and they think that should end. They don't think we should have a right to body the autonomy. And just this week we've seen two women die in Texas in hospitals of completely treatable and you know, preventable reasons. It's it's pretty hard to argue that you're the party of family values when you want to defund education and you don't think kids should get to eat in schools. You know, Timwall's one of the things I love about him on the campaign trailers, He's like, you think I'm a communist because I want to make sure kids in Minnesota have lunch.

Like really, yeah, And my mom's a public school teacher for fourth grade, and that really makes a difference actually for families. I come from not a wealth the area in Alabama, a small town about thirty eight thousand people, and school lunches are like, you know, it's a real issue in the summer because that's sometimes the only meals that those kids get that are consistent that they know they're going to get. So on that note, I think they have a powerful one. But on the women thing, you know, I also have to remember j d Vance just made the comment when he did Joe Rogan's podcast that he was saying that, you know, states should decide abortions. He's previously, you know, advocated for a national abortion band. But he said that he has seen women who are making cakes and celebrating their abortions, and even Joe Rogan said, I haven't, I haven't seen that, like women's cell Like obviously, having an abortion is a deeply personal decision, often a painful one, and you don't know why someone's making that decision. And I, as a young thirty year old woman, have not seen any I don't know anyone who's you know, yeah, celebrating my abortion. And so uh, it was just like a very tone deaf comment. As they're still trying to appeal to women.

Like really, yeah, And my mom's a public school teacher for fourth grade, and that really makes a difference actually for families. I come from not a wealth the area in Alabama, a small town about thirty eight thousand people, and school lunches are like, you know, it's a real issue in the summer because that's sometimes the only meals that those kids get that are consistent that they know they're going to get. So on that note, I think they have a powerful one. But on the women thing, you know, I also have to remember j d Vance just made the comment when he did Joe Rogan's podcast that he was saying that, you know, states should decide abortions. He's previously, you know, advocated for a national abortion band. But he said that he has seen women who are making cakes and celebrating their abortions, and even Joe Rogan said, I haven't, I haven't seen that, like women's cell Like obviously, having an abortion is a deeply personal decision, often a painful one, and you don't know why someone's making that decision. And I, as a young thirty year old woman, have not seen any I don't know anyone who's you know, yeah, celebrating my abortion. And so uh, it was just like a very tone deaf comment. As they're still trying to appeal to women.

That was striking to me.

That was striking to me.

Yeah, it's all pretty shocking to me. I mean, it was shocking to me that that, you know, quote unquote comedian also made a joke that he thinks Travis Kelcey will probably be the next O J. Simpson and I'm like, I'm sorry, are you suggesting that Travis Kelcey should un alive his girlfriend because she's a pop star who's voting for your opponent, you know, and then Donald Trump's on the news calling for Liz Chaney to be executed by a firing squad. I mean, it's like, I don't really know how much more egregious you need to be to the fifty one percent of the population that you and I fall under. And clearly we know there's a there's a gender gap, as there should be, and I wish more men were appalled by the messaging here, But I also know that the youth vote is a really key demographic in the election. They're incredibly powerful in the political landscape. Historically, young people don't vote in the ways that older people do, and I think it's been really helpful to remind young people, like what you want your grandparents to make all your decisions for you? Like, what are we doing? What are you seeing about the youth voter turnout this year? What do those numbers look like?

Yeah, it's all pretty shocking to me. I mean, it was shocking to me that that, you know, quote unquote comedian also made a joke that he thinks Travis Kelcey will probably be the next O J. Simpson and I'm like, I'm sorry, are you suggesting that Travis Kelcey should un alive his girlfriend because she's a pop star who's voting for your opponent, you know, and then Donald Trump's on the news calling for Liz Chaney to be executed by a firing squad. I mean, it's like, I don't really know how much more egregious you need to be to the fifty one percent of the population that you and I fall under. And clearly we know there's a there's a gender gap, as there should be, and I wish more men were appalled by the messaging here, But I also know that the youth vote is a really key demographic in the election. They're incredibly powerful in the political landscape. Historically, young people don't vote in the ways that older people do, and I think it's been really helpful to remind young people, like what you want your grandparents to make all your decisions for you? Like, what are we doing? What are you seeing about the youth voter turnout this year? What do those numbers look like?

So I'm obsessed with this and we're talking about it tonight. Actually because they're both targeting different, you know, demographics of the youth vote, but they're both going after them because they are hoping that it'll be different and that they will come out in large numbers. We actually saw a higher turnout from the youth vote in twenty twenty than we had seen in a while. But the question it feels like one of those moments where it's like it's like with Texas, like people always like is it gonna turn blue or not? We're always watching it, and it's like Lucy the Football, like it never does. You watch Democrats get so excited and then it doesn't actually materialize. That could actually also happen on Tuesdays, so we'll be watching that fort the Senate race. But with the youth vote, it always feels like there's such mobilization and like they're there and you see these get off the vote efforts and you see what's happening on Instagram and TikTok and whatnot, and then it doesn't show up because they're low propensity voters and they don't really show up on election day. They just they're not driven to go to the polls. And so with the Trump team, this is fascinating because they're counting on those young men to show up on Tuesday. Whether or not they do could could alter the election. But then with the Harris campaign, you know, I noticed one thing that's been going around on TikTok that you just had to remember how young these voters are a lot of them. This is their first election and eight years ago they were like in junior high or in high school. And the access Hollywood tape is actually having a resurgence on TikTok right now by all these young voters who are seeing it and have never heard it, which to me is stunning because like everyone else has it like memorized because it was such a shocking moment before the election in twenty sixteen. It's all these young voters who'd never like you just have to remember they were young when this happened. They were like thirteen, they were paying attention to the new and so sure, you know, how does that you know, shift their opinion if at all?

So I'm obsessed with this and we're talking about it tonight. Actually because they're both targeting different, you know, demographics of the youth vote, but they're both going after them because they are hoping that it'll be different and that they will come out in large numbers. We actually saw a higher turnout from the youth vote in twenty twenty than we had seen in a while. But the question it feels like one of those moments where it's like it's like with Texas, like people always like is it gonna turn blue or not? We're always watching it, and it's like Lucy the Football, like it never does. You watch Democrats get so excited and then it doesn't actually materialize. That could actually also happen on Tuesdays, so we'll be watching that fort the Senate race. But with the youth vote, it always feels like there's such mobilization and like they're there and you see these get off the vote efforts and you see what's happening on Instagram and TikTok and whatnot, and then it doesn't show up because they're low propensity voters and they don't really show up on election day. They just they're not driven to go to the polls. And so with the Trump team, this is fascinating because they're counting on those young men to show up on Tuesday. Whether or not they do could could alter the election. But then with the Harris campaign, you know, I noticed one thing that's been going around on TikTok that you just had to remember how young these voters are a lot of them. This is their first election and eight years ago they were like in junior high or in high school. And the access Hollywood tape is actually having a resurgence on TikTok right now by all these young voters who are seeing it and have never heard it, which to me is stunning because like everyone else has it like memorized because it was such a shocking moment before the election in twenty sixteen. It's all these young voters who'd never like you just have to remember they were young when this happened. They were like thirteen, they were paying attention to the new and so sure, you know, how does that you know, shift their opinion if at all?

That's really interesting?

That's really interesting?

Is that amazing it is?

Is that amazing it is?

And now a word from our sponsors who make this show possible. Do you feel like you have a really good perspective on what the top issues are for the youth vote.

And now a word from our sponsors who make this show possible. Do you feel like you have a really good perspective on what the top issues are for the youth vote.

I think the youth vote is it's different.

I think the youth vote is it's different.

It shifts because, like you know, obviously with older voters and most voters who are actually likely voters, it's economy, immigration and democracy is actually higher ranking that I think a lot of people would give it credit for. We saw that in a sne And poll it was the third ranking issue a few months ago, which was kind of amazing to me because the whole, you know, common conventional wisdom is that it's nice to talk about, but if you're actually worried about your bills, that's not what you're thinking about. But clearly people are thinking. But for younger voters, I think that there are issues that are just totally different to them, like gay marriage, climate change, all of these things are they're like givens to them, like there's not you. You'd be hard pressed to find a lot of young people who are like, yeah, the climate's not changing, or this isn't climate change as a hoax, like and that was such a fight for so long in politics with Republicans, and so I just think that they're thinking of it differently. But I think the economy is big for them because they're coming out and they're not satisfied with their jobs, entry level jobs or where they're you know, upward mobility, and they can't afford homes and that is just not something that you know of Like our parents' generation, they never had to worry about it, Like.

It shifts because, like you know, obviously with older voters and most voters who are actually likely voters, it's economy, immigration and democracy is actually higher ranking that I think a lot of people would give it credit for. We saw that in a sne And poll it was the third ranking issue a few months ago, which was kind of amazing to me because the whole, you know, common conventional wisdom is that it's nice to talk about, but if you're actually worried about your bills, that's not what you're thinking about. But clearly people are thinking. But for younger voters, I think that there are issues that are just totally different to them, like gay marriage, climate change, all of these things are they're like givens to them, like there's not you. You'd be hard pressed to find a lot of young people who are like, yeah, the climate's not changing, or this isn't climate change as a hoax, like and that was such a fight for so long in politics with Republicans, and so I just think that they're thinking of it differently. But I think the economy is big for them because they're coming out and they're not satisfied with their jobs, entry level jobs or where they're you know, upward mobility, and they can't afford homes and that is just not something that you know of Like our parents' generation, they never had to worry about it, Like.

Their parents had homes by the time they were thirty years old, and.

Their parents had homes by the time they were thirty years old, and.

So I think that has been a huge, a huge thing for.

So I think that has been a huge, a huge thing for.

Them as well.

Them as well.

Yeah, I think what's been really interesting to your point about even that tape receins surfacing on TikTok. I've been really relieved to see some younger, more financially minded influencers on TikTok being like, hey, if you're not super happy with the economy right now, like you know, we're still living in Trump's tax policy right like tax cuts he gave to billionaires, or why your taxes are so terrible? And I was like, wow, guys, yes, you should probably make sure everybody knows that, just like I think it's really great that, you know, we're able to talk about the fact that the Harris Walls campaign has plans to aid first time home home buyers, you know, to help people kind of close that gap between our generation and our parents generation either are focusing on, like the Sandwich generation, even with healthcare for parents, making sure you can be a home career, especially if you have an elderly parent and young kids. You know, these are things that really feel like they matter to folks, And I think pierce some of this idea that the right way is better for the economy, even though all the economic data for the last hundred years disproves that. I am really curious why you think that message seems to stick. Is it one of those things, like Trump says, that you repeat a lie enough and people will believe it, Like or is it just that that's what they've made the focus of their campaigns for so many decades now that everyone kind of plays the word association.

Yeah, I think what's been really interesting to your point about even that tape receins surfacing on TikTok. I've been really relieved to see some younger, more financially minded influencers on TikTok being like, hey, if you're not super happy with the economy right now, like you know, we're still living in Trump's tax policy right like tax cuts he gave to billionaires, or why your taxes are so terrible? And I was like, wow, guys, yes, you should probably make sure everybody knows that, just like I think it's really great that, you know, we're able to talk about the fact that the Harris Walls campaign has plans to aid first time home home buyers, you know, to help people kind of close that gap between our generation and our parents generation either are focusing on, like the Sandwich generation, even with healthcare for parents, making sure you can be a home career, especially if you have an elderly parent and young kids. You know, these are things that really feel like they matter to folks, And I think pierce some of this idea that the right way is better for the economy, even though all the economic data for the last hundred years disproves that. I am really curious why you think that message seems to stick. Is it one of those things, like Trump says, that you repeat a lie enough and people will believe it, Like or is it just that that's what they've made the focus of their campaigns for so many decades now that everyone kind of plays the word association.

You mean, just like why voters trust Trump on like the economy and stuff.

You mean, just like why voters trust Trump on like the economy and stuff.

Yeah, because, like he added, twenty five percent of the entire United States national debt was created under Donald Trump. Like when you think about that, you know, in the two hundred plus years we've existed, that in four years, twenty five percent of our debt was made under one person. That's a pretty alarming statistic. So why do voters trust this guy this bankruptcy king about money?

Yeah, because, like he added, twenty five percent of the entire United States national debt was created under Donald Trump. Like when you think about that, you know, in the two hundred plus years we've existed, that in four years, twenty five percent of our debt was made under one person. That's a pretty alarming statistic. So why do voters trust this guy this bankruptcy king about money?

Yeah, it's that, And it's like they just view him as a very successful billionaire, even though he has declared bankruptcy a lot. You know, he never would release his taxes. Is the New York Times that had to get access to parts of them.

Yeah, it's that, And it's like they just view him as a very successful billionaire, even though he has declared bankruptcy a lot. You know, he never would release his taxes. Is the New York Times that had to get access to parts of them.

It is.

It is.

It's a fascinating thing because also, you know, okay, in this moment right now, if I went.

It's a fascinating thing because also, you know, okay, in this moment right now, if I went.

Home, which obviously Alabama is a very conservative.

Home, which obviously Alabama is a very conservative.

State, but if I went home and said, Okay, you know, how's everyone feeling about this, my dad would say, well, I'm voting. And this is just an example. If my dad's listening, I just don't. I'm not revealing his vote. This is just hypothetical. But if I said, you know, how do you feel aout the economy, my dad would be like, it sucks and I can't do this. And it's like, actually, your furrowook is doing better. You're you're not at risk of the Harris tax policy plan, like if you make under four hundred thousand dollars, same thing that Biden argued, the capital gains tax part I think concerned people. But she's kind of like dialed back on that after we heard from economist weighing in. But on this, you know, gas prices, they'll say gas prices are so high right now, the US is producing more oil than it ever had in the nation's history. And but it's something that the the White House doesn't often tout because it's not popular with progressives who care about the climate and want to see changes there, but it is a fact that is happening.

State, but if I went home and said, Okay, you know, how's everyone feeling about this, my dad would say, well, I'm voting. And this is just an example. If my dad's listening, I just don't. I'm not revealing his vote. This is just hypothetical. But if I said, you know, how do you feel aout the economy, my dad would be like, it sucks and I can't do this. And it's like, actually, your furrowook is doing better. You're you're not at risk of the Harris tax policy plan, like if you make under four hundred thousand dollars, same thing that Biden argued, the capital gains tax part I think concerned people. But she's kind of like dialed back on that after we heard from economist weighing in. But on this, you know, gas prices, they'll say gas prices are so high right now, the US is producing more oil than it ever had in the nation's history. And but it's something that the the White House doesn't often tout because it's not popular with progressives who care about the climate and want to see changes there, but it is a fact that is happening.

And so we have Republicans on all the.

And so we have Republicans on all the.

Time who say, you know, Caitlin, it's the economy that people are worried about, and it's like, okay, but can you point to something, and they'll point to energy prices, and it's like it's one of those things where I think so many lawmakers and politicians, not just Trump, but they say it all the time, and voters still feel like a malaise because of all the inflation and everything coming out of COVID, which look at how the US did compared to other countries, and.

Time who say, you know, Caitlin, it's the economy that people are worried about, and it's like, okay, but can you point to something, and they'll point to energy prices, and it's like it's one of those things where I think so many lawmakers and politicians, not just Trump, but they say it all the time, and voters still feel like a malaise because of all the inflation and everything coming out of COVID, which look at how the US did compared to other countries, and.

We fared so much better than most other countries because of Biden and.

We fared so much better than most other countries because of Biden and.

Harrison's well and no recession, you know, the flood's monetary policy, and so it's all of those things.

Harrison's well and no recession, you know, the flood's monetary policy, and so it's all of those things.

But it's like you can tell people all the facts and the numbers, and it's how people feel how they vote. And so.

But it's like you can tell people all the facts and the numbers, and it's how people feel how they vote. And so.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I'm not a politician, thankfully, but I think that's probably got to be one of the.

I'm not a politician, thankfully, but I think that's probably got to be one of the.

Most frustrating parts is being like, well.

Most frustrating parts is being like, well.

It's fine, so I don't know what you feel this way because you can't you know, if you have a friend who's frustrated, it's something you can't just say, well, that's not real, because it is how they feel.

It's fine, so I don't know what you feel this way because you can't you know, if you have a friend who's frustrated, it's something you can't just say, well, that's not real, because it is how they feel.

So it's like, how do you talk to them in that sense of it?

So it's like, how do you talk to them in that sense of it?

Yeah, well, and I think there are certain things that hopefully are breaking through. You know, even the fact that Vice President Harris said she would go after companies for price gouging, and then suddenly you saw all these big corporations and grocery stores lowering their prices and everyone was like, oh, so it isn't inflation. It was a choice because y'all are bragging about your you know, record record breaking financial quarters every quarter on your earnings calls. So I, ah, I know those things because I'm a news nerd. I know, you know those things you work in the news. It is hard to see what's breaking through to voters, but clearly there's you know, a lot of anxiety, and we do know that there is a lot of fear on the right that they're you know, uniting around hate campaign isn't working because all these ballot boxes are getting set on fire, and you know, Washington and or really.

Yeah, well, and I think there are certain things that hopefully are breaking through. You know, even the fact that Vice President Harris said she would go after companies for price gouging, and then suddenly you saw all these big corporations and grocery stores lowering their prices and everyone was like, oh, so it isn't inflation. It was a choice because y'all are bragging about your you know, record record breaking financial quarters every quarter on your earnings calls. So I, ah, I know those things because I'm a news nerd. I know, you know those things you work in the news. It is hard to see what's breaking through to voters, but clearly there's you know, a lot of anxiety, and we do know that there is a lot of fear on the right that they're you know, uniting around hate campaign isn't working because all these ballot boxes are getting set on fire, and you know, Washington and or really.

Scary for what's going to happen on what.

Scary for what's going to happen on what.

Happens there, because we know that some states and obviously they know too. All of this is public information. We know that in some states it's been less than twelve thousand votes, and there could be thousands of ballots in those in those ballot boxes that are in very progressive zip codes. How can public officials identify those voters? How do they rectify the situation? Have you heard of any precautions that are going to be put in place across the country to stop this from continuing to happen like what we do here.

Happens there, because we know that some states and obviously they know too. All of this is public information. We know that in some states it's been less than twelve thousand votes, and there could be thousands of ballots in those in those ballot boxes that are in very progressive zip codes. How can public officials identify those voters? How do they rectify the situation? Have you heard of any precautions that are going to be put in place across the country to stop this from continuing to happen like what we do here.

We actually talked to Marie Glusen camp Perez. She's a fascinating a politician for people to don't love maker, for people don't know who she is. She represents a really competitive district in Washington. She was elected in twenty twenty two because I interviewed her maybe twenty twenty it was either twenty twenty or twenty twenty two, and she her family owns like an auto repair shop and Washington. She ran because she was frustrated. She's a Democrat, but she's very moderate and has a very very she flipped a red seat, so she's very middle of the road but it's her district where the ballot boxes were set on fire, and she was so her quote was pissed off when I talked to her about it, because she was like, these people did their duty, they went and voted, They took the time after like picking up their kids and going to the grocery store and doing this. Yes, and now it's like we have to find them and track them and make sure that they know that something happened. I saw they laid out all the ballots, so they were trying to identify people who had not reached back out to say, hey, I cast my ballot here the other day to find those voters. But you make a good point overall, and something crazy I learned the other day. These poor election workers who are volunteers doing their civic duty, going to help to ensure that you can go cast her ballots because it doesn't matter who's running, what the issues are if you can't actually vote. And they are under such threats, largely because of Trump and his allies and how they handle the twenty twenty election. But in Georgia, the Secretary of State there ordered lanyards for all the poll workers.

We actually talked to Marie Glusen camp Perez. She's a fascinating a politician for people to don't love maker, for people don't know who she is. She represents a really competitive district in Washington. She was elected in twenty twenty two because I interviewed her maybe twenty twenty it was either twenty twenty or twenty twenty two, and she her family owns like an auto repair shop and Washington. She ran because she was frustrated. She's a Democrat, but she's very moderate and has a very very she flipped a red seat, so she's very middle of the road but it's her district where the ballot boxes were set on fire, and she was so her quote was pissed off when I talked to her about it, because she was like, these people did their duty, they went and voted, They took the time after like picking up their kids and going to the grocery store and doing this. Yes, and now it's like we have to find them and track them and make sure that they know that something happened. I saw they laid out all the ballots, so they were trying to identify people who had not reached back out to say, hey, I cast my ballot here the other day to find those voters. But you make a good point overall, and something crazy I learned the other day. These poor election workers who are volunteers doing their civic duty, going to help to ensure that you can go cast her ballots because it doesn't matter who's running, what the issues are if you can't actually vote. And they are under such threats, largely because of Trump and his allies and how they handle the twenty twenty election. But in Georgia, the Secretary of State there ordered lanyards for all the poll workers.

There's thirty hundred.

There's thirty hundred.

Precincts that have a mobile panic button in them so they can push it and it calls notineven one if.

Precincts that have a mobile panic button in them so they can push it and it calls notineven one if.

They're having issues.

They're having issues.

Wow.

Wow.

I just think that's crazy in the United States of America that we have to have mobile panic buttons.

I just think that's crazy in the United States of America that we have to have mobile panic buttons.

For our pollwark for election. We don't know what could happen.

For our pollwark for election. We don't know what could happen.

Yeah. Well, and I saw a great effort that was gaining some traction this year where a lot of veterans were signing up to go and be poll workers because they were like, oh, you want to come threat in the democracy we risked our lives for not here, Oh that's not on American soil. And I've loved it. You know, a lot of the guys behind vote vets have been advocating for this stuff, and I'm just like, yeah, you guys, like a lot of I don't think people realize that so many folks who work at the polls are actually military veterans.

Yeah. Well, and I saw a great effort that was gaining some traction this year where a lot of veterans were signing up to go and be poll workers because they were like, oh, you want to come threat in the democracy we risked our lives for not here, Oh that's not on American soil. And I've loved it. You know, a lot of the guys behind vote vets have been advocating for this stuff, and I'm just like, yeah, you guys, like a lot of I don't think people realize that so many folks who work at the polls are actually military veterans.

Yeah, that's actually really interesting.

Yeah, that's actually really interesting.

And it's just we've seen it, like, it's not a made up thing, a made up concern. It's a hypothetical. We've seen it happening in Florida and in other polling places where it's a real issue, and so it just you know, Ruby Freeman and Shay Mosk, the two Georgia election workers who still have not gotten a dime.

And it's just we've seen it, like, it's not a made up thing, a made up concern. It's a hypothetical. We've seen it happening in Florida and in other polling places where it's a real issue, and so it just you know, Ruby Freeman and Shay Mosk, the two Georgia election workers who still have not gotten a dime.

From Rudy Giuliani.

From Rudy Giuliani.

I just think about them because they lived in their community and what happened, how how much they were lied about impacted their lives that before. Like now they've won and they've won their court case and everyone can see it, but at the time that no one knew.

I just think about them because they lived in their community and what happened, how how much they were lied about impacted their lives that before. Like now they've won and they've won their court case and everyone can see it, but at the time that no one knew.

You know, Ruby Freeman talked about how she was scared to go to the grocery store.

You know, Ruby Freeman talked about how she was scared to go to the grocery store.

Yes, she was scared to leave her home, and.

Yes, she was scared to leave her home, and.

People were showing up at her house. And it just is like nuts to think about. And the sense of how, you know, a citizen who's done their duty is being harassed, like.

People were showing up at her house. And it just is like nuts to think about. And the sense of how, you know, a citizen who's done their duty is being harassed, like.

Up, Yeah, it's pretty alarming, you know how that feels though, I mean granted, not on the scale certainly of what Ruby Freeman went through. You know, the attacks on her were unconscionable. But you hosted a town hall on CNN. You interviewed Donald Trump. It was twenty twenty three, and he didn't like that You pressed him, which is your job, and he called you a nasty person. His favorite insult to you know, throw at women. He calls us bitches on the golf course, but on the news, he'll call us nasty. How did that feel to you? Obviously you kept your professional hat on, but what's it like to have the former president of the United States call you names and incite the kinds of violence that he does from his crowd personally?

Up, Yeah, it's pretty alarming, you know how that feels though, I mean granted, not on the scale certainly of what Ruby Freeman went through. You know, the attacks on her were unconscionable. But you hosted a town hall on CNN. You interviewed Donald Trump. It was twenty twenty three, and he didn't like that You pressed him, which is your job, and he called you a nasty person. His favorite insult to you know, throw at women. He calls us bitches on the golf course, but on the news, he'll call us nasty. How did that feel to you? Obviously you kept your professional hat on, but what's it like to have the former president of the United States call you names and incite the kinds of violence that he does from his crowd personally?

For you?

For you?

You know, I have covered Donald Trump for eight years now, and even long. I met him in twenty fifteen when he was running, and I think from covering him, I just knew I know his playbook. Like in that town hall, really, I basically could have predicted every answer he gave.

You know, I have covered Donald Trump for eight years now, and even long. I met him in twenty fifteen when he was running, and I think from covering him, I just knew I know his playbook. Like in that town hall, really, I basically could have predicted every answer he gave.

You don't always know exactly.

You don't always know exactly.

He just always repeats himself, so you have a pretty good idea of where he's going. But in that moment, what we were and I had you know, this had happened to me in the briefing room before, or just in the moments the White House. They banned me from the Rose Garden, an event at the Rose Garden once because he didn't like the questions I had asked when he was in the Oval office, and so it wasn't my first rodeo basically, right, But in that moment, we had been asking him about the classified documents investigation, and he had obviously taken them, it was before he had been indicted, and.

He just always repeats himself, so you have a pretty good idea of where he's going. But in that moment, what we were and I had you know, this had happened to me in the briefing room before, or just in the moments the White House. They banned me from the Rose Garden, an event at the Rose Garden once because he didn't like the questions I had asked when he was in the Oval office, and so it wasn't my first rodeo basically, right, But in that moment, we had been asking him about the classified documents investigation, and he had obviously taken them, it was before he had been indicted, and.

We were asking, you know, why he took them and what was happening with that, and.

We were asking, you know, why he took them and what was happening with that, and.

He very clearly didn't want to answer the question, and so he kind of gave his talking point and then tried to move on. But then, you know, the art of journalism is in the follow up questions. It's often not your first question, it's your follow up that really makes the difference or the news. And so he clearly didn't want to answer that, and I kept pressing him, and so his tactic is kind of to divert and say you're a nasty person. But in that moment, you have a choice. You can either respond to that, which certainly is a human response. I think a human impulse is to say okay, like when someone calls you a name. But you know, being there as a reporter, you have to think, okay, I'm here. Fans of his are watching, detractors of his are watching. How do you maintain your credibility as a reporter and also not get knocked off your line of questioning. I think you can never take the bait as a reporter, and that's the probably one of the best things I've learned. This just happened when I interviewed carry Lake the other day. She kept making these digs about my age or you know what I meant to ask, And in that moment, it's easy to see how you can be like, okay, But I think as a reporter you've got to stay with your line of questioning and keep going because they want you to go and get in that fight, because then they're not being asked the question they don't want to answer.

He very clearly didn't want to answer the question, and so he kind of gave his talking point and then tried to move on. But then, you know, the art of journalism is in the follow up questions. It's often not your first question, it's your follow up that really makes the difference or the news. And so he clearly didn't want to answer that, and I kept pressing him, and so his tactic is kind of to divert and say you're a nasty person. But in that moment, you have a choice. You can either respond to that, which certainly is a human response. I think a human impulse is to say okay, like when someone calls you a name. But you know, being there as a reporter, you have to think, okay, I'm here. Fans of his are watching, detractors of his are watching. How do you maintain your credibility as a reporter and also not get knocked off your line of questioning. I think you can never take the bait as a reporter, and that's the probably one of the best things I've learned. This just happened when I interviewed carry Lake the other day. She kept making these digs about my age or you know what I meant to ask, And in that moment, it's easy to see how you can be like, okay, But I think as a reporter you've got to stay with your line of questioning and keep going because they want you to go and get in that fight, because then they're not being asked the question they don't want to answer.

Right. Oh, it drives me a little crazy, but I also love it. We'll be back in just a minute. But here's a word from our sponsors. Given the rhetoric, the temperature, the nastiness, if you will, that you face in rooms like that one with him and what you just mentioned with Carrie Lake in Arizona, Like, is it a drastically different thing for you as a person, not just a journalist, but as a person when you prep to go in a room and you're interviewing someone, say from the Democratic side of the ticket, like or do you always feel kind of the same.

Right. Oh, it drives me a little crazy, but I also love it. We'll be back in just a minute. But here's a word from our sponsors. Given the rhetoric, the temperature, the nastiness, if you will, that you face in rooms like that one with him and what you just mentioned with Carrie Lake in Arizona, Like, is it a drastically different thing for you as a person, not just a journalist, but as a person when you prep to go in a room and you're interviewing someone, say from the Democratic side of the ticket, like or do you always feel kind of the same.

I think it depends because there's certainly some Republicans who you know would never go there and would never you know, they have decorum and like you know, they want to have a substantive back and forth. And maybe you don't agree or maybe they don't like, you know, the questions, but they're willing to play ball and come on. And you know, we try to do that at nine o'clock every night. We have people from both both parties on because you got to ask everyone a question. And like, you know, Democrats are taxpayer funded officials too, and like we always like to press people because I just think if you get paid by the taxpayers, you should have to answer tough questions. And honestly, sometimes they usually like it, like I think, you know, they're out in the political arena for a reason, and they like they don't want to just do an easy interview, Like they like to get pushed like well why do you think that way? Or why is this the best policy? And so I like when people show up to play and they want to engage and have a good a good engaging interview that.

I think it depends because there's certainly some Republicans who you know would never go there and would never you know, they have decorum and like you know, they want to have a substantive back and forth. And maybe you don't agree or maybe they don't like, you know, the questions, but they're willing to play ball and come on. And you know, we try to do that at nine o'clock every night. We have people from both both parties on because you got to ask everyone a question. And like, you know, Democrats are taxpayer funded officials too, and like we always like to press people because I just think if you get paid by the taxpayers, you should have to answer tough questions. And honestly, sometimes they usually like it, like I think, you know, they're out in the political arena for a reason, and they like they don't want to just do an easy interview, Like they like to get pushed like well why do you think that way? Or why is this the best policy? And so I like when people show up to play and they want to engage and have a good a good engaging interview that.

People want to watch.

People want to watch.

But it is when people, you know, are to go off the rails that you kind of have to be prepared anything, and you know, it kind of depends on who you're interviewing. You can get a sense of of how they are in that way, and if they're going to you know, you never know where an interview who's going to go. We had Trump's transition coach here on the other night, Howard Lutnik. He's the boo of Canner Fitzgerald here in New York. He's an amazing story about you know, nine to eleven he wasn't in the office and he was one of the few who survived and just this incredible story. He's kind of like a pillar in the New York business community and he's running Trump's transition and we had him one we were going to talk about, you know, staffing and personnel and what's this going to look like, and you know, we prepare pushback.

But it is when people, you know, are to go off the rails that you kind of have to be prepared anything, and you know, it kind of depends on who you're interviewing. You can get a sense of of how they are in that way, and if they're going to you know, you never know where an interview who's going to go. We had Trump's transition coach here on the other night, Howard Lutnik. He's the boo of Canner Fitzgerald here in New York. He's an amazing story about you know, nine to eleven he wasn't in the office and he was one of the few who survived and just this incredible story. He's kind of like a pillar in the New York business community and he's running Trump's transition and we had him one we were going to talk about, you know, staffing and personnel and what's this going to look like, and you know, we prepare pushback.

And like, you know, what do we think they're going to say? What are we going to say back to that? My team?

And like, you know, what do we think they're going to say? What are we going to say back to that? My team?

And it went on this like totally left turn into vaccines and like the conspiracy theories about vaccines, like we were not expecting at all, and like, you know, you've got to fact check that in the moment and push back on it, because you know, you can't just let someone come on air. Lie, Yeah, and so in moments like those, really, what I try to do in every interview should just be as prepared as.

And it went on this like totally left turn into vaccines and like the conspiracy theories about vaccines, like we were not expecting at all, and like, you know, you've got to fact check that in the moment and push back on it, because you know, you can't just let someone come on air. Lie, Yeah, and so in moments like those, really, what I try to do in every interview should just be as prepared as.

Possible because you never know where it's gonna go.

Possible because you never know where it's gonna go.

Yeah. Well, I mean even that stuff. You know, you've got all this RFK running around saying he's gonna take over the you know, the CDC, And I'm like, what we don't need is a resurgence of a measles epidemic. There are certain things we should, I think, just be able to agree on and then build forward.

Yeah. Well, I mean even that stuff. You know, you've got all this RFK running around saying he's gonna take over the you know, the CDC, And I'm like, what we don't need is a resurgence of a measles epidemic. There are certain things we should, I think, just be able to agree on and then build forward.

And think, if you're the scientists who came up with that vaccine, you're like, really, I put all his hard work into like saving the lives of children, and.

And think, if you're the scientists who came up with that vaccine, you're like, really, I put all his hard work into like saving the lives of children, and.

Now I have to deal with yeah, people who want to undermine it.

Now I have to deal with yeah, people who want to undermine it.

This close to eradicating polio, and now we're dealing with this because of these yahoos. And you know, it isn't lost on me that a lot of us on the you know, more sort of progressive side, if you will, of activism and organizing have been working on forcing the US to meet the EU's food standards for so long. I'm like, I think you're going for the wrong side here, but here we are. Everything is upside down at this point and we're almost through it. You know, tomorrow is going to obviously be a very big day. I'm curious how you're preparing for election Day but also for the week. And when do you think, given the early voting numbers we're seeing, when do you think we're going to know or is it too soon to say even now?

This close to eradicating polio, and now we're dealing with this because of these yahoos. And you know, it isn't lost on me that a lot of us on the you know, more sort of progressive side, if you will, of activism and organizing have been working on forcing the US to meet the EU's food standards for so long. I'm like, I think you're going for the wrong side here, but here we are. Everything is upside down at this point and we're almost through it. You know, tomorrow is going to obviously be a very big day. I'm curious how you're preparing for election Day but also for the week. And when do you think, given the early voting numbers we're seeing, when do you think we're going to know or is it too soon to say even now?

Well, as far as preparing, I'm always like, okay, you know, how can I brace myself for what this is going to look like. I'm mentally preparing for it to go on for a long time, you know, in kind of the situation where you prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and you know we're going to go Well, I'll be in Florida at the Trump headquarters tomorrow for the as the results are coming in, Abby, Philip will be with Vice President Harris's headquarters. So we're kind of like stationed to you know, in real time on CNN be able to say here, here's the mood in the campaign right now, here's what they're looking at, and these numbers that are coming in, and.

Well, as far as preparing, I'm always like, okay, you know, how can I brace myself for what this is going to look like. I'm mentally preparing for it to go on for a long time, you know, in kind of the situation where you prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and you know we're going to go Well, I'll be in Florida at the Trump headquarters tomorrow for the as the results are coming in, Abby, Philip will be with Vice President Harris's headquarters. So we're kind of like stationed to you know, in real time on CNN be able to say here, here's the mood in the campaign right now, here's what they're looking at, and these numbers that are coming in, and.

When you're each in those different locations, but as you said, you're you're stationed on site, you know, you've kind of got a divide across the country. And then what for the folks at home that are like, but how does that work? You're patching in live to a studio and doing shows together, right.

When you're each in those different locations, but as you said, you're you're stationed on site, you know, you've kind of got a divide across the country. And then what for the folks at home that are like, but how does that work? You're patching in live to a studio and doing shows together, right.

Yeah, so we'll have and then we'll have like John King and the Magic Wall, like looking at all the numbers. Yeah, and Jake there if you know, as we're getting numbers, what are we calling? And so basically it's just seeing it in on election night is at its best because it's like we have so many resources, Like we're so prepared, We've been doing rehearsals. Everyone's kind of like, you know, this could happen, or this could happen, or this could happen. Trump could declare victory prematurely like you did in twenty twenty. Like we're just kind of game planning all that. I know, it's crazy that you even have to like think about that, but so that's basically it. And like we'll be texting in real time and being like here's what we're seeing, here's what we're hearing, and so if you're watching, you'll be able to see all those updates of like what's.

Yeah, so we'll have and then we'll have like John King and the Magic Wall, like looking at all the numbers. Yeah, and Jake there if you know, as we're getting numbers, what are we calling? And so basically it's just seeing it in on election night is at its best because it's like we have so many resources, Like we're so prepared, We've been doing rehearsals. Everyone's kind of like, you know, this could happen, or this could happen, or this could happen. Trump could declare victory prematurely like you did in twenty twenty. Like we're just kind of game planning all that. I know, it's crazy that you even have to like think about that, but so that's basically it. And like we'll be texting in real time and being like here's what we're seeing, here's what we're hearing, and so if you're watching, you'll be able to see all those updates of like what's.

Going on the ground.

Going on the ground.

And then I don't know how long it's gonna last. I don't think we'll know on Tuesday night. I think everyone feels pretty Maybe we will, but everyone feels pretty consensency.

And then I don't know how long it's gonna last. I don't think we'll know on Tuesday night. I think everyone feels pretty Maybe we will, but everyone feels pretty consensency.

From what I've heard from my sources.

From what I've heard from my sources.

It's gonna take a little bit just because the counting of those mail in balance, they can't some of them. They can't start counting in some states until seven pm. And so you know, these pullworkers are doing the Lord's work and.

It's gonna take a little bit just because the counting of those mail in balance, they can't some of them. They can't start counting in some states until seven pm. And so you know, these pullworkers are doing the Lord's work and.

They really are, like they seriously are. They deserve like, you know, all the treats of the world.

They really are, like they seriously are. They deserve like, you know, all the treats of the world.

So maybe by Thursday, you know, last year or in twenty twenty, last selection, it took until twenty It took until Saturday when we found out. Yeah, we had a pretty good idea though on Thursday and Friday. If you're looking at the numbers, I think they just wanted to be one hundred percent sure. They wanted to feel good because public trust is so important, and being able to say we'll see it and called it. I believe them, and you know, it really was the difference maker, I think, And so we we work so hard to get it right. That's what people at home should know is we're looking at every inch of this, so we'll see how long it takes. The question is, you know, is it all gonna come down to Pennsylvania. We're gonna be hanging out there for a few days, Georgia and North Carolina.

So maybe by Thursday, you know, last year or in twenty twenty, last selection, it took until twenty It took until Saturday when we found out. Yeah, we had a pretty good idea though on Thursday and Friday. If you're looking at the numbers, I think they just wanted to be one hundred percent sure. They wanted to feel good because public trust is so important, and being able to say we'll see it and called it. I believe them, and you know, it really was the difference maker, I think, And so we we work so hard to get it right. That's what people at home should know is we're looking at every inch of this, so we'll see how long it takes. The question is, you know, is it all gonna come down to Pennsylvania. We're gonna be hanging out there for a few days, Georgia and North Carolina.

You know, we don't.

You know, we don't.

You never know, And you know what the other thing is, there's always surprises that happen in the numbers or in the Senate races. You know, who's going to control the Senate, who's going.

You never know, And you know what the other thing is, there's always surprises that happen in the numbers or in the Senate races. You know, who's going to control the Senate, who's going.

To control the House. So we'll be like digging through all of that.

To control the House. So we'll be like digging through all of that.

Yeah, okay, so maybe maybe we assume that we'll know at the weekend, Saturday or Sunday, and if we know sooner than we're through exactly.

Yeah, okay, so maybe maybe we assume that we'll know at the weekend, Saturday or Sunday, and if we know sooner than we're through exactly.

And I think the one thing that is so important for people to know is just because we don't know an election night doesn't mean anything's wrong. It takes time to count and there's a lot of ballots and they want to be sure, and so it's not a sign of like, you know, you're like, why am I still waiting?

And I think the one thing that is so important for people to know is just because we don't know an election night doesn't mean anything's wrong. It takes time to count and there's a lot of ballots and they want to be sure, and so it's not a sign of like, you know, you're like, why am I still waiting?

This is weird, it's normal.

This is weird, it's normal.

It's just because we're such a big country.

It's just because we're such a big country.

Yeah, and turn out it's going to be so crazy. I heard a poster say he thinks about one hundred and seventy million people will vote, so we'll see. Wow, Like he said, that was like the high number.

Yeah, and turn out it's going to be so crazy. I heard a poster say he thinks about one hundred and seventy million people will vote, so we'll see. Wow, Like he said, that was like the high number.

He thought, it's amazing. Do you think, I guess the better question is what do you think? How do you estimate from what you see every day, how we as a society get to move forward after such a contentious and abnormal and historic election. Do you maybe have two different answers depending on who wins, or do you think there's kind of a roadmap forward for Americans in general?

He thought, it's amazing. Do you think, I guess the better question is what do you think? How do you estimate from what you see every day, how we as a society get to move forward after such a contentious and abnormal and historic election. Do you maybe have two different answers depending on who wins, or do you think there's kind of a roadmap forward for Americans in general?

The problem is with that, I don't want, I don't know, and I'm always hopeful that people will will rise to the occasion. But I think when you look at the polling, if it's accurate, and even if it's two points off, the country is basically split, and most people feel pretty strongly. And so what we do know is how polarized we are. So on election day, one person's team is going to win and one person's team is going to lose, and how people deal with that, You know, accepting a loss is a real thing. And yea, we saw that in twenty twenty. It was so sad to see, like, and this is why, you know, anytime we have on someone who's an election denier. We always ask them about it, regardless of what the news is that day, because it's like.

The problem is with that, I don't want, I don't know, and I'm always hopeful that people will will rise to the occasion. But I think when you look at the polling, if it's accurate, and even if it's two points off, the country is basically split, and most people feel pretty strongly. And so what we do know is how polarized we are. So on election day, one person's team is going to win and one person's team is going to lose, and how people deal with that, You know, accepting a loss is a real thing. And yea, we saw that in twenty twenty. It was so sad to see, like, and this is why, you know, anytime we have on someone who's an election denier. We always ask them about it, regardless of what the news is that day, because it's like.

If you're a tax parafunded official and you've got this platform and you're misleading people who trust you because of your position, I just think that's, you know, one of the lowest things that someone can do. And so.

If you're a tax parafunded official and you've got this platform and you're misleading people who trust you because of your position, I just think that's, you know, one of the lowest things that someone can do. And so.

I just you know, obviously, if Harris wins, she said she would accept the outcome, Trump still waivers on that and says, you know, if it's free and fair, which obviously wasn't twenty twenty. So I think that's the thing to watch after is what does the environment look like after Do people accept it or are we going to I mean, you know, both campaigns have a ton of attorneys already stationed in the battle ground states because they're preparing for it to be one of the most litigated elections in US history. And in two thousand and four when this happened, you know, al Gore accepted it and you know, gave a concession speech and said, you know, we're accepting the decision of the Supreme Court, and that was not a given and so so I don't know, So we'll see, But I do think Yeah, things are not over on Tuesday night. This is going to be a story that we're still following up until the inauguration and beyond that.

I just you know, obviously, if Harris wins, she said she would accept the outcome, Trump still waivers on that and says, you know, if it's free and fair, which obviously wasn't twenty twenty. So I think that's the thing to watch after is what does the environment look like after Do people accept it or are we going to I mean, you know, both campaigns have a ton of attorneys already stationed in the battle ground states because they're preparing for it to be one of the most litigated elections in US history. And in two thousand and four when this happened, you know, al Gore accepted it and you know, gave a concession speech and said, you know, we're accepting the decision of the Supreme Court, and that was not a given and so so I don't know, So we'll see, But I do think Yeah, things are not over on Tuesday night. This is going to be a story that we're still following up until the inauguration and beyond that.

Right well, there's obviously a lot to think about, a lot to prepare for. As you said, you've got a lot to sort of rehearse and make sure you're ready for any outcome. It's a lot of work and it's mentally taxing. I'm curious if you feel like you can also take a step back and insulate yourself a little bit, or if it's just all in all election you'll catch your breath when it's over. Because normally I like to ask people, you know, at the end of an interview, what your work in progress is right now, but I don't know if you even have time to think about it.