>> THIS WEEK, JOE BIDEN FULFILLS A QUEST TO BECOME PRESIDENT.

GOVERNOR RAIMONDO IS FACING CALLS TO START TAKING QUESTIONS PUBLICLY OR STEP ASIDE.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT.

>> ALLEGEDLY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED ANALYSIS OF ISSUES FACING RHODE ISLANDERS.

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

>> WELCOME, EVERYONE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

JOE BIDEN BECAME THE NATION'S 46TH PRESIDENT THIS WEEK.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT LATER.

BUT FIRST, SHOULD SHE STAY OR SHOULD SHE GO?

GOVERNOR RAIMONDO SAYS SHE WILL NOT LEAVE HER POSITION UNTIL SHE IS CONFIRMED AS COMMERCE SECRETARY.

SHE HAS REFUSED TO ANSWER CALLS FROM REPORTERS AND HAS NOT HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND THAT HAS SOME CALLING FOR HER TO STEP ASIDE OR ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THE PODIUM.

THIS IS TIMELY BECAUSE YOU WERE A MEMBER OF THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION.

LAY OUT THE ISSUE ABOUT WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE FOR THE REPORTERS AND ALSO THE PUBLIC.

>> IT CAME UP LAST WEEK WHEN THEY HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE TO UPDATE EVERYONE ON THE CORONAVIRUS SITUATION HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

SHE DIDN'T TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, JUST LEFT THE STAGE.

THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION AND OTHER PRESS, THE RHODE ISLAND PRESS ASSOCIATION AND OTHER GROUPS HAVE SENT LETTERS FOR HER TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

IT IS NOT A ONE-TIME EVENT.

APPARENTLY, SHE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE QUESTIONS UNTIL SHE IS CONFIRMED.

THE LETTER DID NOT CALL FOR HER RESIGNATION, IT IS ASKING HER TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

IT SAYS THAT SHE HAS BEEN THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MAKING THE KEY DECISIONS THAT AFFECT BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

SHE HAS BEEN THE LEADER.

SHE IS STILL IN THAT POSITION.

IF SHE DOESN'T WANT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT FISHERIES OR THE CENSUS BUREAU OR WHATEVER MIGHT COME UP IN HER NOMINATION PROCESS, THAT'S ONE THING.

BUT SHE IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF RHODE ISLAND STILL SO SHE SHOULD ANSWER QUESTIONS IN THAT CAPACITY.

>> IT'S NOT JUST GOVERNOR RAIMONDO, MARTY WALSH WHO IS USUALLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PRESS IS IN THE SAME SITUATION.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S A TOUCHY SITUATION.

THESE ARE CHIEF EXECUTIVES.

WE HAVE HANDLED REPORTERS FOR YEARS.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH ANSWERING A FEW MORE QUESTIONS?

>> I AGREE WITH ED FULLY.

I COMMEND THE ORGANIZATION FOR TAKING THE STEP.

I WOULD SAY THAT GOVERNOR RAIMONDO ESPECIALLY IS ALMOST UNDERTAKING A LITTLE BIT OF SELF SABOTAGE.

THE KIND OF THING YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE CONTROVERSY WHEN YOU ARE ON THE EVE OF THE PROCESS FOR CABINET SECRETARY.

NOW SHE IS CREATING A CONTROVERSY BY REVERSING COURSE OF WHAT WE SAW FOR 10 MONTHS OR MORE.

SHE WAS VERY ACCESSIBLE.

I HAD GIVEN HER A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS, I THOUGHT SHE WAS ALWAYS VERY HANDS-ON.

IT IS ODD.

I THINK SHE IS ALMOST CREATING A SPECTACLE OF BEING SUDDENLY NOT TRANSPARENT WITH THE PRESS.

THERE IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO HIDE MAYBE.

IT ALL LOOKS BAD AT THE MOMENT WHEN YOU WOULDN'T WANT THAT TO BEGIN TO BLEED OUT TO THE NATIONAL MEDIA AND SHE HAS TO SIT BEFORE THE SENATE AND BE CONFIRMED.

THINK IT IS PUZZLING AND TROUBLING THAT SHE HAS GONE THIS ROUTE.

>> I AGREE.

THE TRANSPARENCY IS TANTAMOUNT.

SIMILAR TO WHAT THE FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS WOULD BE.

I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO HAVE GOVERNOR RAIMONDO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH COMMERCE OVER MANY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITAL PROJECTS BROUGHT TO RHODE ISLAND.

HAVING HER AND HER VISION, HER CONNECTIVITY TO RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND IS GOING TO BE AN ASSET, BUT WE HAVE TO GET TO THAT PROCESS.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THE TRANSITION PROCESS SO SHE AND HER EXISTING STAFF HOPEFULLY THEY ARE WORKING HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE GOVERNOR-ELECT GIVING HIM ALL THE TOOLS HE NEEDS TO GET THE GROUND RUNNING.

-- HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

HE WILL BE SUBMITTING A BUDGET TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOR DIFFICULT BUDGET REVIEW PROCESSES IN RECENT MEMORY.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT OCCURRED TO ME, SHE HAS BEEN FLAT OUT, AS A LOT OF US ARE.

I HAVE NOT TAKEN A VACATION NONE OF US HAVE.

THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT WHEN SHE GETS INTO THE CRUCIBLE OF WASHINGTON, D.C. WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO TAKE A FEW WEEKS OFF AND SPENT SOME TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND LOOK FOR A PLACE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.?

WHY NOT JUST STEP ASIDE?

>> I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN.

IT COULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A LITTLE RESPITE BEFORE YOU TAKE ON A BIG RESPONSIBILITY LIKE THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME, SHE HAS SOME BIG DUTIES, SOME BIG ISSUES IN FRONT OF HER WITH THE BUDGET AND THE PANDEMIC.

THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC CONTINUE.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE ROLLOUT AND WHO IS GETTING IT.

BOARD MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL GETTING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO ANSWER BEFORE SHE MAKES THE TRANSITION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON WEDNESDAY, WE ARE TAPING THIS THURSDAY MORNING, THERE WAS A JOURNAL ARTICLE SAYING EVERYONE LIKES -- LET ME GO BACK TO YOU.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING OR IF IT'S A LARGER ISSUE, THEY HAD A GREAT PLAN GOING BACK TO LAST FALL.

I REMEMBER THINKING THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT VACCINES ALREADY.

RHODE ISLAND SEEMED TO BE AHEAD OF THE BALLGAME.

I'M SURE YOU ARE HEARING DOWN IN NEWPORT ALSO.

I WONDER WHAT YOUR VIEW IS ON HOW THIS IS ROLLING OUT AND HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE NOW THAT WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION?

>> LET'S BE HONEST.

ONE OF MANY THINGS JOE BIDEN IS GOING TO INHERIT IS A NONEXISTENT COVID-19 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

HE HAS ANNOUNCED GIVING OUT HUNDRED MILLION SHOTS IN A HUNDRED DAYS.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSD WITH THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

I THINK ULTIMATELY, THE GOAL IS GOING TO BE WHAT FEDERAL FUNDS AND WHAT FEDERAL RESOURCES WILL BE IN PLACE SO WE CAN ACCELERATE THE VACCINES?

STARTING POINT IS OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, FIRST RESPONDERS, HEALTH CARE OFFICIALS.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IN A STATE SUCH AS RHODE ISLAND, IT IS OUR URBAN AREAS.

HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS IN HIGH DENSITY.

THAT CERTAINLY SOMETIMES STRAINS SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

AT THE VERY LEAST, WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT THAT UNDERSTANDS THE URGENCY, THE SCIENCE AND THE HEALTH CARE POLICY THAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACCELERATE BOTH VACCINES AND HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS TO THE LARGER POPULATION.

AT THE VERY LEAST, WE ARE IN A BETTER POSITION NOW THAN WITH THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

>> TALK ABOUT THE ROLLOUT.

>> THE FACT THAT EXECUTIVES WHO ARE ON BOARD MAYBE A HEALTHY 42-YEAR-OLD PERSON AND IF THOSE PEOPLE ARE SHORTCUTTING THE LINE AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE CAN GIVE YOU THE VACCINE BECAUSE YOUR BOARD MEMBER THEN YOU HAVE ELDERLY PEOPLE MAY BE WAITING UNTIL MARCH, FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, THIS COULD BE A SLIGHTLY BIGGER ISSUE THAN WHAT IT MIGHT SEEM.

AGAIN IT POINTS BACK TO THE FACT -- A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS ABOUT HOW SHE HAS HANDLED THIS.

GOVERNOR RAIMONDO HAS GOTTEN GREAT MARKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WHAT THIS SHOWS IS THAT FOR SOME REASON IT WAS A POLITICAL STRATEGY BY HER TO LEAVE MCKAY FULLY OUT.

DO YOU GUYS EVER REMEMBER HIM STANDING THERE AT THE BRIEFINGS FOR 10 MONTHS?

THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IN OTHER STATES.

I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BAKER AND KAREN POLITO HAVE STOOD SIDE-BY-SIDE FOR 10 OR 11 MONTHS.

HER STRATEGY, IF IT WAS POLITICALLY DRIVEN AND SHE DIDN'T WANT TO LET HIM HAVE A SHOWCASE MOMENT, MAY PROTECTING ANOTHER DEMOCRAT FOR THEIR FUTURE AMBITIONS, WHICH IS WHAT PEOPLE SPECULATE IS WHAT, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT BLOWN UP NOW.

NOW, SHE HAS TO HANDOFF THE PROCESS TO MCKAY.

IN THAT WAY, THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY SHE WOULD DO THAT.

HE HAS TO GO FORWARD, I REALIZE THAT.

AGAIN, I HAD GIVEN HER HIGH MARKS.

I THINK THIS VACCINATION THING WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS, THAT HAS TO BE CUT DOWN AND CUT OUT RIGHT NOW.

THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LOOKING INTO IT , IT DOES RAISE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE TO GIVE THE ROMANO ADMINISTRATION CREDIT FOR MAKING EQUITY AND A KEY PART OF THE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE.

THEY HAVE PRIORITIZED CENTRAL FALLS, WHICH HAS BEEN ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT PARTS OF NOT ONLY RHODE ISLAND, BUT ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST.

THEY HAVE THE VACCINE THERE.

WHEN WE HAVE THE UPDATE LAST WEEK, THEY HAD OR THAN 2000 DOSES ALREADY DELIVERED.

ON THOSE UPDATES WITH THE TASK FORCE, THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW THE VACCINE DOSES COME IN BIG PACKAGES AND YOU WANT TO BE EFFICIENT.

THAT IS PART OF THE RATIONALE FOR WHY THEY WERE DELIVERING A LOT OF VACCINES TO EVERYBODY AT THE HOSPITAL.

WHETHER THEY WERE IN I.T.

OR FRONTLINE ER WORKER.

I DON'T THINK THAT SITS WELL WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE WAITING AND LOOKING FOR THAT VACCINE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE CDC SAYING LET'S GIVE IT TO EVERYBODY 65 AND OLDER AND TO HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LOOKING AT THE LAW IS A SIGNIFICANT.

WE WILL SEE WHAT COMES OF THAT.

THE LARGER QUESTION, THE LARGER CHALLENGE STATES HAVE IS WAY MORE DEMAND THAN SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE.

I THINK HE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO HELP.

>> IF YOU PUT AMAZON ON IT, IT WILL BE THERE TOMORROW.

>> IF THEY CAN DO FOR THE VACCINE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR SWEAT PITS, WE WILL BE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE.

>> DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE PRIME TO GET YOUR VACCINE OVERNIGHT?

>> YOU ARE ASKING ALL THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

>> DONNA, I AGREE WITH YOU.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR FOR THE MOST PART HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.

SHE HAS DONE MORE THAN 125 BRIEFINGS.

SHE HAS TAKEN MANY OF MY QUESTIONS.

THE DYNAMIC OF NOT HAVING DAN MCKIE THERE, I TALKED TO HIM OVER THE SUMMER AND HE SAID, BACKUP QUARTERBACK I DON'T EVEN HAVE A TEAM AND NOW HE'S THE ONE WHO'S GOING THROUGH.

I WONDER AS YOU LOOK, WHAT ARE GOING TO BE HIS CHALLENGES OTHER THAN THE OBVIOUS OF GETTING UP TO SPEED?

THE MCKIE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT THAN THE REMINDER ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE PROBLEM HE'S GOING TO HAVE IS THE BUDGET.

IS IT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET AND POLICIES OR HIS?

HE'S GOING TO HAVE A SHORT TIMEFRAME TO DECIDE UPON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO AND WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO AND HAVE TO DELIBERATE AND NEGOTIATED WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT HAS A NEW SPEAKER AND MANY NEW MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE.

THERE'S A VERY SHORT TIMEFRAME FOR HIM AND HE HAS TO PUT TOGETHER HIS STAFF AND HIS TEAM.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AS FAR AS CABINET MEMBERS TO KEEP, CABINET MEMBERS TO BRING IN, STAFF MEMBERS, POLICY ISSUES.

ALL WRAPPED UP IN THE WINDOW OF THE BUDGET.

I WOULD HOPE THAT SOON AS POSSIBLE, BOTH PARTIES CAN GET TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF RHODE ISLAND.

>> TWO BIG QUESTIONS IN MY MIND.

THE TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUITION AND SEE CRI AND THE CONTINUED PHASE OUT OF THE CAR TAX.

WITH THIS HUGE BUDGET HOLE, THOSE WOULD BE TO EASY TARGETS.

I DON'T GET HOW IMPORTANT THAT WOULD BE IN AT GOVERNOR MCKEE AJIT.

-- BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR PUTS THE PRIORITY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE PROGRAMS THE PROMISE AND OF CAR TAX?

>> WITH THE SIZE OF THE DEFICIT, THE CAR TAX PHASEOUT IS IN JEOPARDY.

YOU'VE HEARD THEM SAY IT'S A PRIORITY FOR THEM BUT IT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE GIVEN HOW THE NUMBERS ARE ADDING UP.

I THINK THE MCKIE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO COME IN WITH DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDING.

I AGREE HE HAS A HUGE -- THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS HE IS BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS FOR YEARS.

TALK ABOUT COMING IN WITH A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF YOU.

YOU HAVE ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED BUDGET DEFICIT AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SO HIGH.

HE HAS HIS HANDS FULL.

>> I THINK JOE BIDEN REALIZES HE'S NOT GOING TO GET THE $1.9 TRILLION.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

ESPECIALLY IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ARE WE GOING TO SEND MONEY TO BAIL OUT THE STATES?

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT YOU MISMANAGED YOUR BUDGETS.

PEOPLE KNOW THAT STATES HAVE BEEN DECIMATED.

LACES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS HAVE FACED SEVERE DEFICITS.

I WONDER WHETHER YOU SEE MORE MONEY CAME IN -- COMING TO THE STATES TO HELP THEM?

>> I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THERE IS A LOGJAM TO RELEASE WHAT WAS JUST RELEASED THAT WAS ANOTHER TRILLION DOLLARS.

THIS IS NOT BEEN THAT WILL REPORTED.

THE MONEY IS NOT ALL RELEASED BY THE STATES, AND THAT HAS BEEN NOTABLE.

WE ARE TALKING IN THE TRILLIONS.

I WOULD JUST SAY, I REALIZE BIDEN CAME IN AND I THOUGHT THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY, A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE COUNTRY AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE FACT THAT I THINK HE FEELS PRESSURE, THEY HAVE A CHECKLIST OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING ON THE FIRST DAY, THE FIRST 10 DAYS AND ALL THAT STUFF.

I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE A BIT OF AN ACCOUNTING.

TRILLIONS WERE ALREADY RELEASED AND THERE'S A LOT OF EVIDENCE TO THESE BELEAGUERED GOVERNORS -- TO BE FAIR TO THESE BELEAGUERED GOVERNORS TO MANAGE THIS VIRUS AND 150 REGULATIONS FOR DIFFERENT BUSINESS SECTORS.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE HELP MAYBE TO HELP THE STATES PROPERLY DISTRIBUTE MONEY THAT IS KIND OF LIKE PILING UP IN FUNDS AND BUDGET ACCOUNTS, THE MONEY HAS NOT BEEN ALL DISTRIBUTED.

IN SOME WAYS, THIS GETS TO BE ABSTRACT.

HERE'S $1.9 TRILLION.

BUT IT HAS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AND THERE'S A LOT OF EVIDENCE IN THE COUNTRY AND IN OUR NEW ENGLAND STATES THAT THERE ARE SMALL BUSINESSES SAYING I DON'T KNOW, WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH HELP HERE.

THEN, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT LARGER ENTITIES INCLUDING A LOT OF LAW FIRMS IN RHODE ISLAND WHERE THE RECIPIENTS OF 10-15,000,000 DOLLARS IN PPP LOANS.

WAS THAT PROPER?

THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT HAS BEEN OUT THERE AND I THINK IT'S UP TO THE MEDIA TO DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF WHERE IS THE MONEY, WHERE IS IT GOING, WHERE SHOULD IT HAVE GONE?

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT, KEITH?

>> ANY TIME YOU HAVE A MASSIVE MOVEMENT OF CASH BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR SOCIAL ECONOMIC REASONS BE AT SOCIETY PROGRAMS OF THE 60'S OR THE ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATION, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ISSUES.

I THINK WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS THE FOCUS ON THE LAST YEAR.

WHAT HAS WORKED?

I WOULD SAY THE PRIORITIES WERE FEDERAL MONEY IS TO ABSOLUTELY ENGAGE STATES AND GIVE STATES THE CAPITAL AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS THEY SEE FIT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

I THINK THE PRIORITY AREAS ARE HEALTH EQUITY, HEALTH INVESTMENTS.

PUBLIC EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY HOW DO WE SAFELY GET OUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL AND ATTACKED OUR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS?

I BELIEVE THAT WORKFORCE TRAINING, SO WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE AND GET THEM OFF OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND GET THEM WORKIN IS IMPORTANT.

PARTICULARLY THOSE IN HIGH-RISK COMMUNITIES.

THEN, IT IS A SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

MOST JOBS ARE CREATED AND SUSTAINED BY SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGE COMPANIES.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET SMALL BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN BACK ON THEIR FEET IS GOING TO DRIVE A FASTER RECOVERY FOR THE ECONOMY.

ITS STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, AND I THINK THE STATES UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE.

DAN MCKEE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES BACK TO THE TIME WHEN HE WAS MAYOR.

EVERY DAY, HE IS OUT THERE TALKING TO SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE AND TALKING ABOUT WORKFORCE NEEDS, SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS, AND CAPITAL NEEDS.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT STATE GOVERNORS NEED AND WE NEED TO PUT THAT CASH OUT TO THE STREETS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT WITH THE INAUGURATION.

LET'S DO OUTRAGES AND KUDOS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE THIS WEEK?

>> ONE OF THE OUTRAGES THAT STILL BUGS ME IS SEEING THE CONFEDERATE FLAG IN OUR UNITED STATES CAPITAL.

ALSO, THAT HAS REMINDED ME WORK IN SMITHFIELD AND I GO TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE, I SEE BETTER -- CONFEDERATE FLAG HALF MILE FROM MY HOUSE.

THAT SYMBOL OF RACIAL HATRED DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE ANYMORE.

>> KEITH?

>> IT'S AN OUTRAGE.

MY OUTRAGE OF THE LAST FEW WEEKS IS SEEING FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE STORMING THE U.S. CAPITOL, WAVING AN AMERICAN FLAG ALONGSIDE CONFEDERATE FLAGS.

I SEE THE ACTIONS OF THESE PEOPLE AS THE HISTORICAL EQUIVALENT OF A T-REX WITH ONE FOOT IN THE TAR PIT.

THESE TYPES OF BELIEFS AND ACTIONS WILL SOON BECOME EXTINCT.

>> TRYSTING.

DONNA QUESTION MARK >> THE OUTGOING FAREWELL BY NOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP NOT ONLY FELL SHORT FOR LOTS OF REASONS OF WHAT OCCURRED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND HIS ROLE IN THAT AND REPUBLICANS HAVE DENOUNCED THAT.

IN THOSE FINAL MOMENTS, IT OCCURRED TO ME AS A REPUBLICAN MYSELF, HE LEFT TOWN THE WAY HE CAME IN.

HE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE DISRUPTOR.

IF YOU GLANCE AT WHAT WAS DONE ON THE TARMAC, IT WAS ABOUT HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

I THINK HE GAVE A FIVE SECOND OH YET THANKS TO THE VICE PRESIDENT.

THE MOB WAS TALKING TO HANG -- WANTING TO HANG THE GUY.

HE BARELY MENTIONED MARK MEADOWS WHO HAD THE AWESOME JOB OF -- IMPOSSIBLE JOB OF BEING HIS CHIEF OF STAFF.

NO MATTER THERE ARE SO -- PEOPLE SO LOYAL, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WOULD FEEL, VERY UNSETTLED BY THE WAY IT WAS STILL ALL ABOUT HIM.

HE DID NOT GO TO THE INAUGURATION.

HE LOST SIGHT.

THAT LIVES THROUGH HISTORY THAT HE CHOSE TO DO THAT.

IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT THIS IS HOW HE BLEW OUT OF TOWN.

>> KEITH, LET ME GO BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE SEED OF THE RIOTS TWO-WEEK TO THE DAY BEFORE THE INAUGURATION.

WHERE JOE BIDEN WAS STANDING IN THE RIOTS.

WE HAVE ALL HAD A LOT OF CHANCE.

WHAT YOU THOUGHT RIOTS LEADING INTO WEDNESDAY AT THE INAUGURATION.

>> IT'S WHAT I JUST SAID.

IT'S THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT IS RAPIDLY DEVOLVING IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE GOOD.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHICS LATER THIS YEAR, THE 2020 CENSUS WILL BE PRESENTED.

YOU WILL SEE WITHIN OUR STATE, IT'S AN INCREASING DIVERSITY OF POPULATION.

THE INCREASE OF DIVERSITY OF POPULATION, THOUGHT, VALUES.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RIOTERS REPRESENT ALMOST A PUSHBACK OF NOT POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC PROPORTIONS, BUT THE FACT THAT THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS AND HOW THEY SEE AMERICA IS QUICKLY DEVOLVING.

THE AMERICA OF OLD, LIKE THE T-REX, IS SOON TO BE EXTINCT.

I AM EXCITED GOING FORWARD WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION PROVIDED VISUALLY WITH THE DIVERSITY OF MEN AND WOMEN OF DIFFERENT RACES AND ETHNICITIES AND COLORS AND RELIGION.

THAT IS THE AMERICA THAT I CHOOSE TO LIVE IN AND THAT IS THE AMERICA MOST AMERICANS CHOOSE TO LIVE IN.

HOPEFULLY, WHAT WE SAW AT AMERICA'S CAPITOL IS SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO PUT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

>> I HOPE WE CAN GOVERN TOGETHER.

YOU SEE JOE BIDEN WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS YESTERDAY.

HE PUT BARACK OBAMA AT THE END OF HIS TERM.

HE WAS NOT GETTING ALONG WELL WITH CONGRESS.

A LOT OF IT WAS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ROLLED BACK BY DONALD TRUMP.

NOW WE SEE DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS GETTING ROLLED BACK.

THE THINGS THAT ARE LAST ARE THE ONES TO GET LEGISLATED LIKE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

I WONDER GOING FORWARD WHAT YOU'RE THINKING IS?

>> IT'S THE NARROWEST OF MARGINS IN THE SENATE AND ALREADY, WE GET TO SEE WHICH MCCONNELL BEGIN TO SOFTEN A LITTLE BIT.

I WONDER WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, IT'S GOING TO BE ROCKY.

INAUGURATION DAY IS LIKE THE BEGINNING OF SPRING TRAINING.

THEN, YOU HIT THE REALITY OF GOVERNING.

I WONDER WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT IN THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS.

>> IF I COULD ADD TO THE OUTRAGE, I GIVE KUDOS TO AMANDA GORMAN WITH THE INAUGURAL POEM.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO POWERFUL AND SHE JUST ROSE TO THE MOMENT SO WELL.

I THINK BIDEN IS SINCERE IN WANTING TO UNIFY THE COUNTRY AND REACH ACROSS THE AISLE.

HE IS TALKED ABOUT THAT, HE'S NOT JUST SAYING IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

IT'S NEARLY SPLIT IN THE SENATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME THAT JOE BIDEN SAID THE OTHER DAY YESTERDAY WAS THAT WE MUST REJECT THE CULTURE WHERE FACTS THEMSELVES ARE MANIPULATED.

THERE'S GOT TO BE UNITY.

YOU CAN HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS, DIFFERENT POLITICAL STANCES BUT WE GOT TO BE DEALING WITH THE SAME SET OF FACTS LIKE FACT ABOUT WHO WON THE ELECTION.

THERE ARE LIES.

LIES TOLD FOR POWER AND PROFIT.

YOU HAD SENATORS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS VOTED TO CHALLENGE THE ELECTION RESULTS EVEN THOUGH NO COURTS RICH -- COURTS REJECTED THE IDEA OF VOTER FRAUD.

>> DONNA, YOU GET THE LAST MINUTE.

>> I MIGHT ADD TO ALL OF THAT OR MAYBE TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENCE.

I THINK WHAT YOU SAW AT THE CAPITAL, HOWEVER, IS DEEPER NARRATIVE OF YOU HAVE MULTICULTURAL AMERICA.

THAT'S NOT TRULY WHAT IS GOING ON.

I FIND IT AS REPUBLICANS VERY DISTURBING.

THE ROLE THAT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS PLAYED, YOU GUYS KNOW THIS.

AND JUST PERPETUATING THIS -- THESE WILD CONSPIRACIES.

I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING WHETHER IT'S QANON OR OTHER STUFF.

IT'S DEEPER THAN, SOME PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THE COUNTRY IS CHANGING.

IT HAS BEEN CHANGING FOR 35-40 YEARS.

IT'S MORE THAN THAT, AND I FEEL IT DISTURBING.

THERE'S NO QUESTION TRUMP TRIED TO EXPLOIT THAT AND LOOK WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING.

IT'S A CHILLING THING, THIS SOCIAL MEDIA ROLE IN IT IS DISTURBING.

IT WILL GO BEYOND HIS ERA AND I THINK THE PARTY HAS TO REALLY ADDRESS WHERE THAT IS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THE MAIN SHOW.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ONLINE.

THANK YOU FOR THIS.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS.

FOR THE REST OF YOU, COME BACK NEXT WEEK AS A LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

♪ >> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES.