>> THIS WEEK, A CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE AS GOVERNOR RAIMONDO IS GOING TO WASHINGTON.

DONALD TRUMP IS IMPEACH FOR SECOND TIME WITH JUST DAYS LEFT IN HIS PRESIDENCY.

>> I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT PROGRAM RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN, ATTORNEY AND LEGAL ANALYST LOU PULNER.

BILL LYNCH, FORMER CHAIR OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND LISA PELOSI.

>> TO THE SURPRISE OF VIRTUALLY NO ONE, GOVERNOR RAIMONDO ACCEPTED PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S INVITATION TO BECOME THE COMMERCE SECRETARY IN WASHINGTON.

ALTHOUGH SHE AND HER SUCCESSOR TRIED TO CREATE A MOMENT ON WEDNESDAY, THIS RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN STRAINED FOR MANY YEARS.

IT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS TRANSITION IS GOING TO GO AND WHEN IT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE.

THEY TRIED TO FILL IN A FEW OF THE GAPS.

LISA, IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN THIS BAD.

I WONDER LOOKING FORWARD, THERE ARE A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

IS IT GOING TO BE HIS BUDGET OR GOVERNOR RAIMONDO'S?

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT GOES TO THE LEGISLATION EVERY YEAR IS THE BUDGET.

THE PROCESS TAKES A NUMBER OF MONTHS TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AND REVENUE TO UNDERSTND HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE COMING IN.

HERE WE HAVE OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE BUDGET ABOUT TO PASS IT OFF TO THE INCOMING GOVERNOR.

IT'S WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS HOW SCHOOLED IS HE IN BUDGET PROCESS?

WHAT WE HAVE HEARD IS THAT HER BUDGET IS JUST ABOUT READY TO GO, YET THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS GIVEN HER UNTIL EARLY MARCH TO SUBMIT IT.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A REMINDER BUDGET THAT HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO USE GOING FORWARD OR WILL HE GET TO PUT HIS PRIORITIES IN?

>> >> BILL, THE GOVERNOR WAS BIG ON HER PROJECTS.

I WONDER WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE MCKEE WILL HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES GOING FORWARD.

>> LET'S BE CANDID ABOUT HOW THE BUDGET IS HANDLED EVERY YEAR INCLUDING THIS YEAR WHICH IS THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL SUBMIT THE BUDGET AND THE BUDGET BECOMES THE BUDGET OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE TAKES A DRAFT DOCUMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THIS HAS BEEN TRUE UNDER DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.

THEN, THE HOUSE UNDER THE NEW SPEAKER WILL PUT TOGETHER AN ALTERNATIVE BUDGET USUALLY WITH SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS TO THE DRAFT SUBMITTED FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THEN, THEY WILL SEEK THE INPUT FROM THE SENATE AND THE LEGISLATURE WILL THEN COME OUT WITH THE BUDGET THAT WILL BE PARTIALLY BASED ON WHAT THEY WERE GIVEN FROM THE GOVERNOR.

I'M SURE THAT BASED ON WHAT LOOKS LIKE SO FAR, THERE WILL BE ATTENTION GIVEN TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT INCOMING GOVERNOR MCKEE FEELS THAT ARE PRIORITIES THAT HE WANTS TO SEE ADDRESSED.

THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER YEAR.

THE ESTIMATES ARE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT A SIGNIFICANT DEFICIT WHICH WON'T COME AS A SHOCK TO ANYBODY BASED ON THE COVID MESS.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

THEY WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

THE PROCESS WON'T TREAT DRAMATICALLY IF AT ALL DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER YEAR.

>> LUKE?

WHAT WILL YOU BE LOOKING FOR?

>> I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO PUT IT IN PRINT THE BUDGET WHETHER IT'S IN THE FORM OF A CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PET OF HIS.

I THINK HE WANTS TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

HE HAS TWO YEARS BEFORE HE'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AND I THINK THIS IS A BLESSING IN HIS CAMP TO DO SOMETHING THAT SENDS A MESSAGE THAT I AM HERE AND I'M PREPARED TO STAY.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW IT ALL FALLS OUT.

>> THIS MAY BE JUST THE INSIDER BASEBALL.

GINA RAIMONDO, SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS HER 125TH BRIEFING GOING BACK TO MARCH.

SHE STUCK OUT THE DOOR.

WE TRY TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOVERNOR ARE YOU GOING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS?

I HEARD THE SAME ONE UP -- WENT ON WITH MARTY WALSH IN BOSTON.

I WONDER IF THIS IS COMING FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OR ARE THEY JUST THINK CAREFUL?

THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD NO QUESTIONS TALKING TO US AND IT SEEMED LIKE A DEPARTURE YESTERDAY.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD SAY SHE STUCK OUT THE DOOR.

>> SHE LEFT, WE YELLED AT HER, AND THE REPORTERS WERE WAITING FOR HER OUTSIDE LIKE WE WERE IN FEDERAL COURT AND SHE BLEW THEM OFF.

>> SHE DIDN'T CRAWL OUT THE DOOR SO NOBODY COULD SEE HER.

BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THAT POINT.

I THINK THERE WERE TWO REASONS FOR THAT.

I DON'T KNOW EITHER TO BE COMPLETELY TRUE.

ONE IS THAT SHE IS TRYING I THINK TO HER CREDIT TO MOVE QUICKLY ALONG WITH THE TRANSITION TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND SOON TO BE GOVERNOR MCKEE.

THAT IS TO HER CREDIT.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MCKEE WAS HAVING A PUBLIC PRESS EVENT THIS MORNING TO DEAL WITH THE PRESS, ANSWER QUESTIONS ETC.

GOVERNOR RAIMONDO IS TRYING TO DIPLOMATICALLY NOT STEP ON HIS TOES OR MAKE THAT TRANSITION -- HAPPENED.

SECOND, THERE IS SOME IMPETUS FROM WASHINGTON THAT THEY WOULD PREFER THE BIDEN CAMP WOULD PREFER GOVERNOR RAIMONDO MARTY WALSH AND OTHERS WHO ARE SOON TO JOIN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE THAT SEGUE INTO WASHINGTON AND TRY TO START LESSENING THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THEY ARE DOING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WHERE THEY ARE PRESENTLY LOCATED .

IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

NO BIG SURPRISE.

>> LISETTE?

>> I THINK IT WAS TOO DRAMATIC.

SHE GETS TAPPED LAST WEEK ON FRIDAY AND SHE ACCEPTS IT.

THEN THIS WEEK, AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR SUPREME COURT IN RHODE ISLAND, SHE WAS NOT AT THAT CEREMONY SO THAT WAS SURPRISING.

THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT BUT FOR HER.

IT WAS OUTSIDE, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN PART OF IT AND SHE WAS NOT.

THERE HAS TO BE A GRADUAL TRANSITION FROM ONE GOVERNOR TO THE NEXT.

MORE THAN EVER, WE ARE IN THE REAL DEPTHS OF THE PANDEMIC TRYING TO STRUGGLE WITH THE VACCINE AND HOW TO DISTRIBUTE IT AMONG RHODE ISLANDERS.

WE NEED STRONG, VISIBLE LEADERSHIP AND SHE NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE MORE.

THE BIDEN CAMP OBVIOUSLY VETTED HER.

THEY CHOSE HER.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE POSITION OF HER DOING ANYTHING NOW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WITHDRAW HER NOMINATION.

I COULD SEE HER TELLING ALL OF THEIR NOMINEES TO TAMP IT DOWN UNTIL YOU GET APPROVED BY THE SENATE.

>> FINALLY, WE HAD NOT SEEN HER UNTIL TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICS, WANTED TO HEAR FROM HER ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE PANDEMIC.

THE NUMBERS DON'T LOOK GOOD.

IT NO, THEY DON'T.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE SAYING THAT LAST MARCH, BUT HERE WE GO AGAIN.

THE NEXT THREE MONTHS PROMISED TO BE NOT ANY BETTER THAN THE LAST THREE.

SHE SLINKED OUT OF THERE FOR THE SAKE OF NOT HAVING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

IN THE SAME BREATH, SHE IS SAYING ON THE SAME -- I'M STILL THE GOVERNOR AND I'M GOING TO BE HERE UNTIL I CAN NO LONGER BE HERE.

THAT COMES WITH OBLIGATIONS INCLUDING SPEAKING TO THE PRESS.

JUST WALKING AWAY, THE IRONIC PART HERE IS THAT MCKEE HAS TO HAVE STICKER SHOCK.

HE WAS TREATED LIKE THE REDHEADED STEPCHILD FOREVER NEVER AND NOW SUDDENLY SHE IS GIVING HIM A PLATFORM AND AT THE SAME TIME BOWING OUT.

THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG THERE AND I CAN'T PUT MY FINGER ON IT, BUT I THINK YOU HAVE DONE THAT.

>> I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT YESTERDAY WAS GOVERNOR RAIMONDO'S 125TH PUBLIC PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE LAST MARCH.

TO LEAVE ANYBODY WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEHOW SHE HAS NOT BEEN TRANSPARENT, UPFRONT IN DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT BE ACCURATE.

>> I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT.

SHE HAS BEEN A GOOD GOVERNOR.

SHE'S BEEN OUT FRONT, SHE HAS BEEN THE VOICE OF WHAT WE NEEDED FROM HER.

I GIVE HER HIGH MARKS FOR THAT.

THE WAY SHE HANDLED IT YESTERDAY, DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL.

>> YOU WILL TAKE ISSUE WITH THE WORD SLINKED.

DULY NOTED.

>> I WAS GOING TO LET HIM OFF THE HOOK, BUT TECHNICALLY HE DID NOT AGREE WITH YOU.

>> I WILL TAKE ISSUE WITH REDHEADED STEPCHILD.

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> HE GOES DEEP SOMETIMES.

ONE OTHER THING THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO TALK ABOUT IS THE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINATION.

IT HAS BEEN SLOW, SOME OF THAT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE TALKED TO THE POINT PERSON AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

YOU HAVE SEEN HIM AT SOME OF THE RE-THINK'S.

-- BRIEFINGS.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE VACCINE PLANNING HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR FIVE OR SIX MONTHS .

WHAT HAS MADE IT COMPLICATED IS WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW MANY DOSES WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE, WHEN THE VACCINE WAS GOING TO BE APPROVED.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF UNKNOWNS AND THAT HAS MADE THE PLANNING TOUGH.

WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE GETTING ABOUT 14,000 VACCINES PER WEEK.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE VACCINATING 2000 PEOPLE PER WEEK.

THAT MEANS WE ARE VACCINATING AT THE SAME RATE WE ARE GETTING THE VACCINE AND.

WE ARE IN THE TOP 10 IN TERMS OF RATES OF VACCINATIONS.

IT'S NORMAL FOR THESE VIRUSES TO HAVE SOME MUTATIONS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

OBVIOUSLY, THE CONCERN WOULD BE IF THERE WAS A VARIANT THAT WAS RESISTANT TO THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE BUILT OFF THAT TO DELIVER THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

WE WERE GIVEN -- WE HAD PLANNED ON MOVING FASTER.

THE TIMELINE WE ARE HEARING ABOUT IS THE CONSERVATIVE TIMELINE.

WE ARE HOPING THE VACCINE WILL GET OUT SOONER THAN WE EXPECT.

>> I THINK THE NUMBER THAT STRUCK ME WAS 2000 PEOPLE PER WEEK.

BY THAT POINT, ALTHOUGH YOU ARE OLDER THAN I AM, THE VACCINATION INTO THOUSAND 23.

THAT CLEARLY HAS TO GET RAMPED UP.

I WONDER IF A CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION DOES THAT.

>> I THINK THAT RHODE ISLAND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ITS ROLLOUT.

ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE DONE A RELATIVELYGOOD JOB COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING.

LET'S EITHER BLAME WHERE IT SHOULD BE WHICH IS IN WASHINGTON.

YOU'VE HEARD IT FROM OUR LOCAL RHODE ISLAND EXPERT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST FELL DOWN ON THE JOB WITH RESPECT TO THE VACCINE AND THE ROLLOUT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYBODY COULD BE SURPRISED AT THAT AFTER WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

HE BASICALLY QUIT HIS JOB MONTHS AGO IN TERMS OF GOVERNING AND WENT OFF ON THIS INSANE, IDIOTIC PLOT TO CLAIM THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN.

AS A CONSEQUENCE, WE HAVE ALL SUFFERED ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

I WENT TO A FUNERAL YESTERDAY OF A LONGTIME FRIEND OF MINE.

A RHODE ISLAND ICON IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY WHO DIED UNFORTUNATELY FROM COVID WITH NO UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS.

I AM SAD FOR HER FAMILY, BUT I AM ANGRY BECAUSE I HAD PRESIDENT TRUMP DONE WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE LAST MARCH, WE WOULDN'T STILL HAVE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY STILL GETTING COVID AT THE RATE THEY ARE GETTING AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DYING EVERY DAY LIKE IS STILL HAPPENING.

THOSE DEATHS ARE ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HANDS AND THERE'S NO TWO WAYS AROUND IT.

THE HORRIBLE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO PUT IT.

IT'S HIS FAULT, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

IT WILL BE HIS LEGAY.% >> THAT'S A LITTLE HARSH.

I DO NOT LIKE TO BE IN THE POSITION TO DEFEND PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT WE SHOULD RECORD HIGHS THAT COVID STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR.

FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A VACCINE THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY OUR FEDERAL AUTHORITIES AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR SO LESS THAN NINE MONTHS OF TURNAROUND HAVE A VACCINE IS REALLY EXTRAORDINARY THAT WE ARE IN THIS POSITION.

I DO CREDIT PRESIDENT TRUMP TO PUT OPERATION WARP SPEED INTO PLACE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN THAT WE HAVE A VACCINE.

WHAT IS SO TROUBLING IS A DUAL ISSUE.

NUMBER ONE IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME ANY PEOPLE DIE FROM COVID.

ALSO, HOW MUCH THE ECONOMY IS STRUGGLING.

ONCE WE HAVE A WIDESPREAD VACCINE, THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO LIFT OUR ECONOMY AGAIN.

THAT IS THE ADDED PRESSURE THAT WE WANT TO HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE VACCINATED SO WE CAN GET THE ECONOMY GOING AGAIN.

>> I WOULD AGREE HUNDRED PERCENT RESPECT TO THE SCIENTISTS WHO HAVE DONE AN UNBELIEVABLE JOB IN COMING UP WITH THE VACCINE IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY DID.

I WOULD ALSO REMIND OUR LISTENERS THAT WE NOW KNOW PRESIDENT TRUMP KNEW THE EXTENT OF THE CORONAVIRUS NOT LAST MARCH BUT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AND INTENTIONALLY HID THE INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC AND HIS OWN MEDICAL PEOPLE AND WITHOUT EXCEPTION EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, HE HAS DENIED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

HE HAS REFUSED TO LISTEN TO MEDICAL DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS WHO HAVE HAD TO GO ON WITHOUT HIS ASSISTANCE AND IT HAS BEEN ONE MISTAKE AFTER ANOTHER SINCE THEY WANT.

-- DAY ONE.

IF YOU LISTEN TO EVERY SINGLE STATE OFFICIAL OF EVERY PARTY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT IS UNMISTAKABLE THAT THEY SAY WITH CONSENSUS OF OPINION THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A NATIONAL PLAN IN PLACE WITH RESPECT TO THE CORONAVIRUS INCLUDING THE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE.

THE BUCK STOPS ON THE DESK IN THE OVAL OFFICE WHERE DONALD TRUMP WILL BE FOR ANOTHER WEEK.

>> I AGREE WITH LISA AND BILL.

YOU CAN'T SAY ATTACHED TO HIM IS THE FAULTY ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINATIONS BUT NOT GIVE HIM ANY CREDIT FOR OPERATION WARP SPEED.

IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE SCIENTISTS AND THE MAJOR COMPANIES THAT WERE WILLING TO INVEST IN SUCH A RISKY PROJECT.

THEY COULD HAVE SPENT YEARS AND ZILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITH NOTHING.

YOU CAN'T JUST ATTACK THE PRESIDENT AND NOT GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT WAS DUE.

TO THE REST OF IT AND THE FALLOUT, THAT WAS ON HIS SHOULDERS AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> I SAW A 60 MINUTES PIECE.

I REMEMBER SITTING AT THE VET AND THE GOVERNOR EARLY FAULT WAS TALKING ABOUT VACCINE ROLLOUT AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS PREMATURE.

THERE WAS A GENERAL ON 60 MINUTES, HE HAS STEPPED FORWARD, UNLIKE THE PRESIDENT HAD SAID I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME OF THIS HICCUP IN TERMS OF GETTING THE VACCINE OUT.

THEY HAD SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PLAN AND I AM A LITTLE UNCLEAR AS TO WHETHER -- IS IT PFIZER AND MODERNA THAT AREN'T KICKING IT OUT OR CAN THEY NOT PHYSICALLY GET IT FROM HERE TO THERE?

>> KEEP IN MIND, OBVIOUSLY I AM VERY CRITICAL AND JUSTIFIABLY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.

I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT WE HAVE T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY THE BIGGEST HEALTH RISK IN OUR LIFETIME, BUT IT IS ALSO REQUIRING THE BIGGEST MARSHALING OF FORCES TO TRY TO GET VACCINE NOT ONLY PRODUCED, WHICH WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE, BUT TO GET IT OUT.

IT'S NOT A SIMPLE THING.

I'M JUST A LAWYER, BUT IT'S NOT A SIMPLE THING TO GET THIS VACCINE OUT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.

WERE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT JUST ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, BUT THE ENTIRE WORLD.

IT IS A FIRST FOR EVERYBODY.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS, YOU HAVE TO EXPECT SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD.

THERE'S NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO GET OUT FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY.

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER LEADERSHIP AND A PLAN OUT OF WASHINGTON.

THE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE TRYING TO GET THIS ROLLOUT, TRYING TO DELIVER THE VACCINE, TRYING TO GET THE SHOTS IN PEOPLE'S ARMS, THEY ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

>> I AGREE BUT THE REFRIGERATION REQUIREMENT IS SOMEWHAT OF AN IMPEDIMENT.

IT IS MIND-BOGGLING TO THINK THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET IT TO ALL THESE FACILITIES AND KEEP IT AT THAT REFRIGERATED PACE PRIOR TO THE TIME OF GIVING THE VACCINATIONS.

I THINK THAT IS PROBLEMATIC.

NOW, THEY ARE TOYING WITH THE IDEA OF SAYING EVERYBODY IS GOING TO GET ONE SHOT AND WE WILL WORRY ABOUT THE SECOND ONE LATER.

I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY STUPID.

WE HAVE DONE TRIALS ON 50,000 PEOPLE AND THIS IS THE WAY IT WORKS AND NOW THEY'RE GOING TO TINKER WITH THAT.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

LET'S DO OUTRAGES OR KUDOS.

>> I HAVE A KUDO.

IN THE LAST DAYS, WE HAVE HAD A DESPERATE NEED TO HAVE STATESMANSHIP AND LEADERSHIP ESPECIALLY COME OUT OF WASHINGTON AND TAMPER DOWN THE HIGH RHETORIC THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

THIS WEEK, TO SEE THAT BILL BELICHICK DECIDED TO DECLINE EXCEPTING THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD OF FREEDOM FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS SO WELCOMING TO HEAR.

IT IS EXTRAORDINARY ON SO MANY LEVELS BECAUSE THESE TWO GENTLEMEN, THEY HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

BILL BELICHICK HAS SAID THAT HE SUPPORTED PRESIDENT TRUMP.

FOR HIM TO DECLINE AND TO SAY THE REASON HE WAS DOING IT BECAUSE HE WAS PUTTING HIS COUNTRY, HIS TEAM, AND HIS PLAYERS BEFORE HIMSELF WAS SO WELCOMING TO HEAR THIS WEEK.

>> BUILT?

-- BILL?

>> ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, MY COMMENT WOULD BE THE OUTRAGE FROM SENATOR TED CRUZ OF TEXAS AND SENATOR HARLEY WHO I THINK SPELLS HIS NAME WRONG.

IF YOU WATCH THESE TWO PEOPLE AND THEIR DESPICABLE KOWTOWING AT LEAST A PORTION OF DONALD TRUMP'S SUPPORTERS IN THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO INTENTIONALLY, KNOWINGLY, AND VOLUNTARILY SPREAD THESE INCREDIBLE LIES ABOUT THE ELECTION, ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND MORE SO ABOUT OUR COUNTRY AND OUR DEMOCRACY.

I THINK THEY DESERVE A LOT OF THE BLAME FOR THE WRITING, DEATHS, AND DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE NOT ONLY IN WASHINGTON, BUT TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CONSTITUTION.

THEY CLEARLY HAVE SUNK TO A NEW LOW AND A PATHETIC ATTEMPT TO TRY TO GET THIS ALL RIGHT RACIST SUPPORT WING OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SUPPORTERS AND I THINK IT'S DESPICABLE AND HOPEFULLY AS HAS BEEN REFERENCED BY THE NEWSPAPER, THE BLOOD IS ALSO ON THEIR HANDS AND HOPEFULLY, IT WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT THEM COME ELECTION DAY.

>> WE WILL SWITCH TO THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH AND OUTRAGE AS IT IS GO FIGURE IT'S RHODE ISLAND.

THAT WOULD BE DEALING WITH ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT HIS NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHEN HE IS THE GOVERNOR IN FACT.

NOW, WE ARE HEARING THAT THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO USURP THAT SO THEY CAN MAKE THE DECISION.

NO, THE LAW IS HE GETS TO PICK.

NOW, WERE SAYING WE ARE ABOVE THE LAW.

THAT WAS STRUCK DOWN BY GOVERNOR RAIMONDO THE LAST TIME THEY TRIED TO OVERSTEP THEIR AUTHORITY.

I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE DOING THIS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> LET'S SEGUE INTO WASHINGTON.

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

WE ARE GOING TO DO A BONUS EXTRA ONLINE AFTER THIS.

WE HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

THE PRESIDENT GETS IMPEACHED THE SECOND TIME.

I WONDER AS YOU LOOK AT THIS, IT REALLY IS HISTORIC.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE SENATE IS GOING TO GET TO A TRIAL.

SHOULD THE SENATE GO FORWARD WITH A TRIAL AFTER THE PRESIDENT LEAVES NEXT WEEK?

>> THIS WEEK, THERE WAS A COMPELLING PIECE IN THE WASHINGTON POST A FORMER JUDGE ON THE COURT OF APPEALS QUESTIONING IF IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT AFTER THE PRESIDENT LEAVES OFFICE.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE LAWYERS ON THE PANEL.

I DO QUESTION WHETHER THE SENATE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD.

WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP IT TO THE COURTS AND THAT WILL DELAY THE SENATE FROM THEIR PROCEEDINGS.

IF THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF IMPEACHMENT IS TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE, ON JANUARY 20, HE IS OUT OF OFFICE.

>> I AGREE WITH LISA.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, MORE IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE TO GET BEHIND OUR NEW PRESIDENT.

THE FIRST 100 DAYS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR MAKING A MARK ON WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH THIS COUNTRY.

THE REALITY IS THAT AN IMPEACHMENT ONLY BRINGS THIS COUNTRY DOWN FURTHER.

FOR MY MONEY, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN THE 25TH AMENDMENT INVOKED.

I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP AFTER HE DID WHAT HE DID, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM OFFICE SUMMARILY.

IT WOULD HAVE DISPENSED WITH THE NEED OF AN IMPEACHMENT.

I READ THE LAW ON IMPEACHMENT AND IT IS TO IMPEACH A SITTING PRESIDENT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE CONGRESS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO GO THROUGH THAT.

>> NUMBER ONE, HE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE IMPEACHED AND THE SENATE SHOULD DO THEIR JOB, HAVE A TRIAL AND VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE.

THERE HAS BEEN AN IMPEACHMENT OF A FEDERAL OFFICEHOLDER AFTER THEY LEFT OFFICE, SO THERE IS SOME PRECEDENT THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN.

IT WILL PROBABLY END UP IN FRONT OF THE COURT, WHICH IS FINE.

I JUST DON'T SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NOTION THAT HE IS ALMOST DONE, LET'S GET HIM OUT OF THERE AND MOVE ON.

TELL THAT TO THE CAPITOL POLICE FAMILY WHO GOT PEPPER SPRAY AND INTO DEATH WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSIDE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT I WOULD AGREE WITH LIZ CHENEY ON ANYTHING AT THIS POINT IN OUR CAREERS EXCEPT THAT I AGREE 100% WITH HER COMMENTS WITH RESPECT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT HE WAS THE SOLE PERSON THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT TOOK PLACE WITH THE WRITING, CALLING THESE PEOPLE TO ARMS.

THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF A LOT OF THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE CAPITAL AND WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT A LOT MORE IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD ABOUT THIS HAVING BEEN A PLANNED ATTACK.

THESE PEOPLE WERE SWARMING IN, LOOKING TO HANG THE VICE PRESIDENT.

THIS WAS NOT A PARTISAN ATTACK.

THIS WAS AN ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND OUR DEMOCRACY.

THEY WERE LOOKING TO HANG THE VICE PRESIDENT, KILL THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

I THINK IT'S OUTRAGEOUS, AND THEY SHOULD BE TREATED AS TERRORIST.

THEY SHOULD BE INDICTED AND INCARCERATED TO THE HIGHEST EXTENT POSSIBLE AND THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE HELD TO ACCOUNT.

THE WAY TO HOLD HIM TO ACCOUNT IRRESPECTIVE OF CRIMINAL CHARGES IS FOR THE CONGRESS INCLUDING THE SENATE TO DO THEIR JOB, IMPEACH HIM, HAVE A TRIAL, AND VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.

>> LET'S DO THIS.

IT'S NEVER ENOUGH TIME, BUT THAT'S WHY WE CREATED LIVELY EXTRA.

RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND CHECK OUT OUR PANEL.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE TO SAY.

FOR TB, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THAT WAS THE QUICKEST 30 MINUTES AND TELEVISION.

COME BACK HERE NEXT WEEK AS THE LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

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