JIM: THIS WEEK ON A LIVELY EXPERIMENT, THE REPUBLICANS FINALLY HAVE A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

AND A POTENTIAL SUSPENSION OF THE STATE GAS TAX IS GAINING MOMENTUM.

WITH SUPPORT IN SOME SURPRISING PLACES.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> I AM JOHN HAYES MY JUNIOR.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY SPARE MEN PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS ON POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I'M A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM ON RHODE ISLAND PBS.

♪ JIM: JOINING US ON THE PANEL, PABLO RODRIGUEZ, PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE WARREN ALBERT SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

LEEANN SENNICK, NATIONAL COMMITTEE WOMAN FR THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLICAN PARTY.

AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT MACKAY.

HI, EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO LIVELY.

I'M JIM HUMMEL.

FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE LEADER OF THE STATE GOP SAYS THE PARTY WAS CLOSE TO ANNOUNCING THE CANDIDATE IN THIS YEAR'S RACE FOR GOVERNOR, ASHLEY SAID TUESDAY THAT SHE WOULD BE RUNNING.

SHE IS A RELATIVELY NEW COMER TO THE STATE AND IN HER INTRODUCTORY VIDEO SAID A FRESH PERSPECTIVE MAY BE WHAT RHODE ISLAND NEEDS.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM HER DEBUT.

>> MY MOM WAS DRIVEN TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR US SO SHE STARTED HER OWN BUSINESS AND WENT FROM FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS TO BUILDING HER OWN PHYSICAL THERAPY STAFFING AGENCY.

THAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM, THE DREAM I WANT TO TURN INTO RAY REALITY FOR ALL RHODE ISLANDERS.

THAT IS WHY I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

I WILL FIGHT TO MAKE RHODE ISLAND A MORE AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY.

I WILL FIGHT FOR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN LEGISLATION AND THE SKIRT OF ADDICTION TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE.

I BELIEVE IN OUR UNLIMITED POTENTIAL AND BEFORE US IS THE CHALLENGE OF THE NEXT HALF-CENTURY.

WE NEED A LEADER WITH CHINA -- WHICH I GIMMICK ASPIRATIONS -- WITH GIGANTIC ASPIRATIONS.

JIM: SO SHE HAD DONE POLITICS AND LET ME START WITH LEEANN IN NEW YORK.

SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A PRIMARY.

LEEANN: I THINK THAT IS A DEFINITE ADVANTAGE FOR HER.

SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE'VE SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA SO FAR WAS SAYING SHE DOES NOT REALLY GO HERE AND I GET THAT.

I AM A BORN AND BRED RHODE ISLANDER IN MY FIRST REACTION IS YOU JUST CAME HERE, SO HOW CAN YOU TELL US WHAT SHOULD BE DONE HERE?

MY SECOND REACTION WHEN YOU THINK FURTHER ABOUT IT IS MAYBE THAT IS WHAT WE NEED, MAYBE WE NEED A FRESH SET OF EYES ON THE STATE.

HAVING THE STATE -- HAVING THE SAME PEOPLE SWAPPING OUT ROLES, IT HAS NOT GOTTEN US BETTER ECONOMICALLY.

WE ARE STILL IN THE BOTTOM OF A LOT OF THE RANKING SCORE.

IT COULD BE WHAT WE NEED, SOMEONE DIFFERENT COMING IN AND LOOKING AT IT WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND HAVING THAT OUTSIDE VIEW AND BE ABLE TO TAKE BEST PRACTICES FROM OTHER STATES.

ONE OF THE THINGS SHE TALKED ABOUT IS WHAT HAVE THE OTHER STATES HAVE DONE WELL, HOW FLORIDA IS A GREAT STATE TO RETIRE IN, HOW CAN WE LOOK AT MASSACHUSETTS FOR THEIR EDUCATION SYSTEM, HOW CAN WE TAKE BEST PRACTICES FROM OTHER STATES AND MAYBE THE FRESH SET OF EYES IS WHAT WE NEED, COMING IN WITHOUT ALL OF THE TIES AND BAGGAGE, TRYING TO BREAK THAT KIND OF MOLD AND LOOKING AT THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY IN THE STATE AND I THINK THERE IS AN EXCITEMENT TO HER COMING OUT.

I REALLY LIKE WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

I'M GLAD SHE BROUGHT UP THOUGH BJORN CRISIS.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT THAT MUCH IN THE STATE AND IT IS VERY DETRIMENTAL TO OUR STATE AND TO HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT WE FOCUSED -- REFOCUSED ON THOSE THINGS WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE STATE.

JIM: SHE DID NOT SAY I LIVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM WHERE THE PENNIES USED TO BE.

[LAUGHTER] PABLO: I KNOW A GUY -- BUT I SHOULD KNOW SOMEBODY, PART OF THE MESSAGE.

IT IS HARD IN MY MIND TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN BECOME GOVERNOR WITHOUT HAVING LIVED IN THE STATE AND KNOWN AND WORKED WHETHER AS A VOLUNTEER OR NONPROFIT, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE IN THE STATE.

COMING IN FROM OUTSIDE AND PRETENDING BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT OTHER STATES FOR SOLUTIONS IS WHAT CONSULTANTS SAY.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

I THINK FOR CANDIDACY.

OBVIOUSLY I HAVE TO DISCLOSE THAT -- IS MY BEST FRIEND.

IT IS EASY FOR ME TO CRITICIZE.

SCOTT: IT'S ODD WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT WERE VOTED BEFORE AND RHODE ISLAND.

IT IS DIFFERENT.

I'M SURE THERE IS ROOM FOR A FRESH PERSPECTIVE.

WE ALL LIKE TO SEE THAT IN POLITICS.

BUT SHE ONLY JUST OPENED HER CAMPAIGN.

I THINK THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WORK IN PROGRESS AND WE WILL HAVE TO SIT BACK AND SEE WHAT OTHER IDEAS SHE COMES UP WITH.

WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH MONEY SHE IS ABLE TO RAISE.

UNFORTUNATELY, ROMNEY IS A REAL ISSUE THESE DAYS AND YOU CANNOT BE HEARD WITHOUT RAISING A LOT OF IT.

pSHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET OUT AND DO THAT.

IT IS INTERESTING HER HUSBAND IS A DOCTOR AND WAS ONCE A RESIDENT IN BROWN PROGRAM.

SO MAYBE HE CAN SHOW HER AROUND.

JIM: THE TWO THINGS IN MY MIND, REPUBLICANS AS YOU KNOW, SCOTT AND I, WE HAVE LIVED HERE AND LEEANN HAVE ALL BEEN HERE.

BUT DUPREE WAS MAYOR OF CRANSTON, DON KATERI, THOUGH HE IS A NEWCOMER TO POLITICS, HE PLAYED FOOTBALL AT BROWN.

THAT GETS OVER THE RHODE ISLAND ISSUE.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS EVEN IF YOU GET A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN, THEN YOU HAVE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AND HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY GET DONE?

I AM ALL FOR FRESH FACES AND WHATEVER AND YOU HAVE TO BUILD THE TEAM TO GET THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

LEEANN: THERE ABSOLUTELY IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE TO BUILD A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN THE STATE BECAUSE WE SEE A ONE PARTY SYSTEM HAS NOT HELPED THE STATE AT ALL.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN BECOME THAT VIBRANT TWO-PARTY SYSTEM THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE STATE GREATLY.

I THINK GOING BACK TO THE GOVERNOR, THEY NEED TO WORK WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHERE THERE THEY ARE DEMOCRAT -- WHETHER THEY ARE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

WE HAVE SEEN ISSUES WITH BOTH WORKING WITH THE GENERAL ASSENT LEE.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAS A GREAT DEAL OF POWER.

IT'S NOT THAT YOU CAN SAY ANYONE GOING IN THERE WELL AUTOMATICALLY HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

COMING IN AS A NEWCOMER, WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE RUNNING EDUCATION, RUN DIFFERENT PROGRAMS IN THE STATE, AND THAT IS WORKED -- HAS WORKED OUT SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.

BUT THE IDEA THAT WE WRITE THAT PERSON NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIES HERE, THAT IS CLOSE MINDED FOR US.

JIM: WHAT DOES SHE NEED TO DO IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS?

>> SHE NEEDS RAISE A LOT OF MONEY.

SAUSAGE MAKING OF POLITICS.

UNFORTUNATELY, SECONDLY, SHE HAS TO GET OUT THERE.

IF I WAS HER, I WOULD HAVE A LISTENING TOUR OF RHODE ISLAND.

HAVE SOME PUBLIC MEETINGS AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE AT ANY RATE THAT YOU CARE ABOUT GRASSROOTS, EVERYDAY RHODE ISLANDERS.

LEEANN: SHE DOES THAT.

JIM: SHE HAD HIT SOME BUSINESSES.

LEEANN: AND SHE HAD DONE THAT WITHIN THE PARTY, REACH OUT TO ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE STATE SENATE AND HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THEM.

I HAD A DECENT CONVERSATION WITH HER IN JANUARY AND SHE REALLY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE THAT ARE AFFECTING EVERYONE.

SHE DID LISTEN TO THE INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE, TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, GOING AROUND TO BUSINESSES AND HOSTING LIKE TOWN HALL TYPE MEETINGS AND FINDING OUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE.

>> OBVIOUSLY SHE HAS TO GET BETTER KNOWN.

THAT IS HER FIRST CHALLENGE.

PABLO: FRANKLY I AM A PRIMARY KIND OF A GUY.

I THINK PRIMARIES ARE IMPORTANT IN THE ELECTORATE LEARNING ABOUT CANDIDATES.

IT PROVIDES FOR A GOOD TRAINING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

NOT HAVING A PRIMARY TO ME IS A PROBLEM FOR HER.

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE HUNKY-DORY WITH ALL OF THE PARTY PEOPLE, BUT -- SCOTT: THEN YOU GOT EIGHT WEEKS.

PABLO: EXACTLY.

EXACTLY.

THE DETRIMENT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.

NO ONE SHOULD RUN STRAIGHT.

EVERYONE SHOULDHAVE COMPETITION FROM THE BEGINNING.

SCOTT: ONE THING ABOUT RHODE ISLAND, FEW PLACES IN AMERICA CAN YOU BE A STATEWIDE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATE WITH 12 OR 13,000 -- 12,000 OR 13,000 VOTES IN THE PRIMARY.

IT IS A SMALL UNIVERSE OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

THE PROBLEM FOR ALL REPUBLICANS, AND THIS IS WHY I THINK THE MODERATES -- WE GO BACK AND PEOPLE WERE MODERATE SUCH IS THE FREE, LINK ALMOND WAS A CLASSIC MODERATE REPUBLICAN AND ANOTHER PLAYED ONE WHEN HE RAN.

HE TURNED OUT NOT NECESSARILY TO ME THAT KIND OF GOVERNOR WHEN HE WAS IN THERE, BUT I THINK THE THING ABOUT BEING A REPUBLICAN IN RHODE ISLAND IS YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT.

THIS IS NOT TEXAS OR FLORIDA.

YOU CANNOT WIN STATEWIDE WITH JUST REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

JIM: BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, YOU ARE STARTING A PODCAST.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

YOU WILL HAVE HER ON YOUR PODCAST?

LEEANN: YES.

IT WILL BE CALLED THE FLIP SIDE AND I WILL BE HOSTING IT AND WE WILL BE TALKING TO DIFFERENT CANDIDATES, MOSTLY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS WILL WANT TO COME ON AND SPEAK WITH US, BUT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO OFFER AND THE FLIPSIDE BEING WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE STATE.

JIM: SO YOU WILL HAVE A LONG PHONE CONVERSATION WITH HER?

LEEANN:LEEANN: YES, ABSOLUTELY.

JIM: LET'S GO TO THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

GOVERNOR MCKEE IS LOSING A LOT OF DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS, PROBABLY NOT SURPRISING IN THIS LAME DUCK, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

ON THURSDAY NIGHT, CHANNEL 10 AND 12 REPORTED BOTH THAT THE FEDERAL -- FBI IS LOOKING INTO THE CONTRACT.

THIS TAKES IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING IS THERE, AND I THINK PART OF IT MAY BECAUSE IT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

HOW SERIOUS IS THIS?

AND THE CULMINATION OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD, THE BUMPS ALONG THE ROAD HE HAD.

SCOTT: THIS IS VERY BAD TIME FOR THE GOVERNOR.

WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING FOR REELECTION, YOU DO NOT WANT THE HEADLINE TO BE FBI PROBING WHAT YOU WERE DOING IN THE EARLY DAYS OF YOUR NEW ADMINISTRATION.

WE KNOW HE DID NOT HAVE A STRONG LINK OR TIES TO GOVERNOR RAIMONDO.

SO KIND OF IN REACTION TO THAT IS YOU SEE GOVERNOR MCKEE RELYING VERY MUCH ON HIS FRIENDS WHO ARE MAYORS, THE CHARLIE LUMBAR USE, THE JOE POLICY KNOWS , AND JOHNSTON.

THIS IS FINE.

WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THAT IS YOUR WHOLE THING, AND I CAN SEE THE AD NOW -- JIM: NELLY IS GETTING IT READY ALREADY.

SCOTT: I BET SOMEBODY IS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A GOOD LOOK.

AS FAR AS THE TURNOVER, THERE IS A BEAUTY AND A BANE FOR THAT.

HE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CAMPAIGN RIGHT NOW, AND WHAT HE CAN DO IS PUT IN NEW PEOPLE AND APPEAL DEMOGRAPHICALLY TO THE SAME WAY WHEN HE PICKED SABINA LATOS TO BE HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, REACHING OUT TO LATINO COMMUNITIES FOR INSTANCE.

REACHING OUT TO THE LABOR COMMUNITY.

WHEN THREE GUYS WANT A JOB AND YOUR GOVERNOR, EVERYONE KNOWS THE OLD POLITICAL JOKE IS YOU MAKE ONE FRIEND AND TWO ENEMIES.

AFTER A WHILE, THE FRIEND YOU PUT IN THE JOB THINKS HE OR SHE GOT THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE QUALIFIED.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS.

PABLO: I FEEL BAD FOR THE GOVERNOR.

I DO BECAUSE I THINK DEEP DOWN INSIDE HE IS A GOOD GUY.

HE IS NOT A CROOK.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE MIGHT BE IN OVER HIS HEAD.

AND WHEN YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH FRIENDS, FRIENDS ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THE REAL BAD NEWS.

YOU NEED PEOPLE AROUND YOU THAT ARE GOING TO TELL YOU THE BAD THINGS YOU ARE AND THE GOOD THINGS YOU ARE DOING.

AND NEED TO HELP GUIDE YOU IN MAKING DECISIONS.

WITH THIS CONTRACT, HE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PEOPLE HE WAS WORKING WITH ALREADY, LIKE THOSE FROM MY ORAL ACADEMIES.

TAKING A SHORTCUT, I'M DESPERATE TO GET THE SCHOOLS OPEN SO LET ME TAKE A SHORTCUT.

JIM: THE OPTICS DO NOT LOOK GOOD.

PABLO: ABSOLUTELY.

BUT I THINK IT IS MORE INCOMPETENCE THAN TREACHERY.

YOU KNOW?

SCOTT: I THINK THE PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY FRIENDS BUT FRIENDS WANT THINGS.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THAT, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE A NEW GOVERNOR.

YOU NEED TO BALANCE THAT.

IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE MAYOR IN BOSTON WAS VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE HE HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS.

HE WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD PAUL WHO CAME UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN HART PARK -- IN HIGH PARK POLITICS.

WHEN HE BECAME MAYOR HE WAS CAREFUL NOT TO HIRE THE SKETCHY PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN FOLKS WHO WILL HELP YOU AND DESERVE A SHOT AT MUNICIPAL OFFICE AND THOSE PEOPLE WHO COULD BECOME LIABILITIES.

JIM: LOTS OF DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

LEEANN: AND THE TIMING IS BAD FOR THE GOVERNOR ON THIS BECAUSE, WITH THE PRIMARY, IS HE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PUT THIS BEHIND HIM SO VOTERS WILL NOTE WILL THIS BE RESOLVED BY THEN?

SOMETIMES A HEADLINE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH TO BE UNDER HE -- ENOUGH TO BE JUST UNDER AN FBI INVESTIGATION.

EVEN IF HE IS CLEARED, THE CLOUD pWILL FOLLOW HIM INTO THE PRIMARY.

JIM: AND I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN INTO THIS, CLEARLY REPORTERS HAD SOURCES, AT THE FBI MIGHT NOT DECIDE UNTIL MAY, JUNE, JULY.

THERE MAY BE NOTHING THERE BUT IF THEY DO, IT GETS CLOSER.

LEEANN: AND THE CLOSER HE GETS THERE -- PABLO: WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS EVERY DECISION IS GOING TO BE SCRUTINIZED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET TROUBLE AGAIN.

THAT BY ITSELF COULD CREATE OTHER PROBLEMS.

JIM: PABLO, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TWO, THE FIRST GUY IN IS THE FIRST GUY OUT.

YOU HAD EIGHT PEOPLE ON ONE SIDE INCLUDING ALEC FUND AND JESSICA DE LA CRUZ.

PROBABLY NOT A SURPRISE.

I THINK WE WILL SEE MORE FALL.

THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY.

PABLO: ONE MY FAVORITE BOOKS, CHRONICLE OF A FORETOLD DEATH.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: SOUNDS BETTER IN SPANISH.

PABLO: ISN'T IT?

I THINK MANY OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THIS DISTRICT RIGHT NOW, THEY THINK IT SOUNDS GOOD, PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN MAYBE COMING TO THE CONGRESSPERSON.

WHEN IN REALITY, YOU NEED MONEY AND YOU NEED A LOT OF MONEY IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

MONEY TALKS.

SCOTT: IT'S VERY SAD BECAUSE THE EXPLOSION OF MONEY IN POLITICS -- DO YOU REALIZE THE AVERAGE OC IN THE LAST CYCLE WAS $2.7 MILLION?

THE AVERAGE SENATE SEAT -- JIM: $10 MILLION.

SCOTT: YOU GOT IT RIGHT.

JIM: THAT WAS AGHAST.

IT IS A SAD STATEMENT.

SCOTT: THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY IN POLITICS.

SINCE CITIZENS UNITED AND SOME OF THE CHANGES AND NOBODY REALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IN PARTICULAR WANTS TO CHANGE THINGS FOR INTRODUCE SOMETHING IN WASHINGTON THAT WOULD ACTUALLY, FIRST OF ALL, PROMOTE MORE DISCLOSURE, WHICH MAY BE THE BEST THING WE CAN DO, MORE DISCLOSURE AND SOMETHING THAT WOULD CONTRAST WITH THE DARK MONEY SITUATION THAT IS OUT THERE.

JIM: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

ALEC FUND PROBABLY NOT A SURPRISE BUT HE IS OUT THERE.

YOU HAVE A PRIMARY BUT CLEARLY HE IS THE MOST WELL-KNOWN.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS SHAKING OUT?

LEEANN: I THINK THE MONEY WILL BE A BIG ISSUE BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE TO EVICT QUICKLY FROM THE PRIMARY TO THE GENERAL ELECTION AND THEY WILL NEED TO SAVE A LOT OF THE MONEY.

IT IS ONLY SO MUCH MONEY YOU CAN RAISE AS A REPUBLICAN IN RHODE ISLAND.

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT THAT WE HAVE HAD IN AT LEAST 20 YEARS, IT IS STILL GOING TO TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK AND A GREAT DEAL WITH THE PARTY BEING TOGETHER AND STAYING TOGETHER SO THAT THE PRIMARY -- I KNOW PABLO THINGS PRIMARIES ARE A GOOD THING.

[LAUGHTER] WHEN YOU ARE A SMALL MINORITY PARTY AND YOU HAVE FACTIONS BREAKING OFF, IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

THE TIME TO COME BACK TOGETHER AFTER THE PRIMARY, THAT IS VERY DETRIMENTAL TO THAT.

BUT AGAIN THE MONEY, I HATE TO ADMIT IT BUT THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS.

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHO CAN ACTUALLY WIN IN THE GENERAL, IT WILL BE BASED ON HOW MUCH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO GO AGAINST WHOEVER THE EVENTUAL DEMOCRAT NOMINEE IS GOING TO HAVE.

JIM: DON'T YOU THINK THIS RACE IS GOING TO ATTRACTED A LOT OF NATIONAL MONEY?

THE REPUBLICAN'S SMELL ANY OPENING.

WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN WASHINGTON I NEED A FLIP OR WHATEVER, DON'T YOU THINK IT WILL POURING IN -- IT WILL BE POURING IN?

INFORMATIVE CANDIDATES.

PABLO: ON BOTH SIDES.

WE HAVE SEEN THE CREATION NOW OF SUPER PAC'S FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY -- HAVE GIVEN ENOUGH MONEY OR THE LIMIT SO YOU CAN GIVE MONEY TO A SUPER PAC, SUPPORT YOUR CANDIDATE AS WELL.

SO THIS CONCEPT OF MONEY IN POLITICS IS REALLY MUSHROOMING INTO A SUPER BANK NOT A SUPER PAC.

JIM: IT'S AMAZING WHEN YOU SAID HOW MUCH TIME THEY HAVE TO SPEND RAISING MONEY.

MY SISTER WENT TO COLLEGE WITH SETH MAGAZINER'S MOTHER.

SHE IS ON HER LIST AND SOMEHOW FOUND HER.

MY SISTER HAS NOT TALKED TO HER IN 50 YEARS.

MY SON SETH IS GOING TO BE RUNNING AND WE ARE HOLDING A BREAKFAST FOR HIM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. MARCH 29, CAN YOU COME?

SO YOU REALIZE THE EXHAUSTING AMOUNT AND YOU HAVE TO TAP INTO EVERYBODY TO ASK FOR MONEY.

THE POLITICIANS TELL YOU THAT IS THE PART OF THEIR JOB THEY HATE THE MOST.

SCOTT: WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THIS THING UNFOLDS AND THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS, THE POLLING, TO A LARGE DEGREE, DETERMINES WHERE THE NATIONAL MONEY GOES.

IF THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A SHOT AT THE POLLING, WHOEVER EMERGES FROM THE PRIMARY, HAS A SHOT AT THIS RACE, YOU WILL SEE A TON OF NATIONAL MONEY.

YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF BUSINESS MONEY.

ON THE OTHERS, WITH SETH MAGAZINER, YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC MONEY, A LOT OF LABOR MONEY.

THE FAMILY, AS YOU KNOW, HAS CLOSE TIES THE CLINTONS.

AGAIN, MAGAZINER SAYS DAD WAS A TOUGH ADVISOR TO BILL CLINTON AND THEY GO BACK TO THEIR DAYS TOGETHER AS RHODES SCHOLARS.

SO I THINK YOU WILL SEE A REAL INJECTION OF NATIONAL MONEY, BUT A LOT OF IT DOES DEPEND ON THE POLLING AND WHETHER -- NOBODY LIKES TO MAKE A BAD INVESTMENT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO INVEST IN SOMETHING THAT WILL FAIL.

IF YOU HAVE A SHOT AT THE POLLING SHOWS FUND LET'S SAY WITHIN SIX TO SEVEN POINTS, BINGO.

JIM: SCOTT'S FAVORITE LINE, YOU NOT ONLY HAVE TO BE A RHODES SCHOLAR BUT A RHODE ISLAND SCHOLAR.

LAUGHTER] LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GAS TAX AND THE POTENTIAL SUSPENSION.

JESSICA DELACRUZ WAS THE FIRST OUT OF THE BLOCK AND NOW THEY QUESTION THE GOVERNOR ABOUT IT, NED LAMONT IS DOING IT, IT TEMPORARY SUSPENSION.

WE HAVE ALL OF THIS MONEY SLOSHING AROUND.

THE EASY THING WOULD BE SAYING NO, THE BUDGET IS SET.

THE HARDER THING IS TO SUSPEND THE GAS TAX AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE UP THAT MONEY.

LEEANN: I THINK WE CAN FIGURE HOW TO MAKE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE EXTRA MONEY FROM THE UPPER FUNDS, FROM THE $600 MILLION SURPLUS.

SO RHODE ISLANDERS ARE HURTING, WHY NOT GIVE THEM -- THIS IS LIKE A RECESSIVE TAX.

THIS WILL HELP NOT ONLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAXING THE RICH, THIS WILL HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE MORE MIDDLE-CLASS, THE LOWER-CLASS PEOPLE -- NOT LOWER-CLASS BUT LOWER INCOME PEOPLE THAT WOULD NEED THIS RELIEF THE MOST.

IT IS A WIN-WIN.

IT IS $.34 PER GALLON AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE FEDERAL TAX AS WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL OF IT, ALL OF OUR TAXES SUSPENDED WHY WE COPE -- WHILE WE COPE WITH THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID, THE WAR, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS HAPPENING.

IF OTHER STATES ARE DOING IT, WE WILL SEE RHODE ISLAND JUMP ON BOARD AN I DO NOT SEE WHY WE SHOULD NOT.

JIM: IF MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTCUT DO, WE ARE ALMOST FORCED TO.

LEEANN: WE ARE.

ABSOLUTELY.

PABLO: MY FRIEND ALSO PUSHED FOR THAT, PUSHED FOR A PAUSE ON THE GAS TAX.

JIM: WAS SHE THE FIRST OUT OF THE BLOCK ON THAT?

LEEANN: SHE WAS NOW.

JESSICA WAS.

JIM: I MEAN AMONG THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

PABLO: ABSOLUTELY SHE WAS THE FIRST.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM OF PUSHING FOR THAT BECAUSE SOMEHOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING IT.

THIS IS THE PART THAT ABSOLUTELY DRIVES ME NUTS.

THAT WE IMMEDIATELY GET INTO THE TRIBALISM BECAUSE JESSICA DE LA CRUZ PUSHED FOR A GAS TAX REDUCTION, ALL OF A SUDDEN A DEMOCRAT SHE KNOWS SHOULD DARE SUPPORT THAT KIND OF -- JIM: IT IS EITHER A GOOD IDEA OR PABLO: MY GOODNESS.

THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET BECAUSE OF THIS.

SCOTT: ALL OVER THE WESTERN WORLD, EVERYONE WAS TO BLAME THE GRASS PRICE -- GAS PRICES ON WHOEVER'S PRESIDENT.

THAT GOES BACK TO REPUBLIC AND DEMOCRATIC DEMONSTRATIONS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE U.K., THEY ARE DOING SOME THING LIKE THIS.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE EU COUNTRIES, INFLATION BECAUSE OF ENERGY PRICES IS ALMOST WORLDWIDE AMONG INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES, NOT pSPECIFIC TO THE UNITED STATES, NOT BECAUSE OF A PIPELINE THAT CLOSED DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER BUILT, NOT BECAUSE WE DO NOT EXPORT OIL.

IT IS BECAUSE THE WORLD MARKET RIGHT NOW IS TIGHT AND NOW WE HAVE A WAR GOING ON WHERE YOU HIT OTHER SOURCES PUT HARD, SO I DO NOT THINK THERE IS AN EASY WAY OUT OF THIS.

PERHAPS IN THE SHORT TERM FOR A FEW MONTHS IT WOULD BE FINE -- JIM: BUT AT WHAT POINT DO YOU REINSTITUTE IT?

PABLO: WE HAVE TO HELP MORE PEOPLE.

I REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO RUN OUT OF MONEY IN MY FAMILY.

MY DAD WOULD SIT AROUND THE TABLE AND SAY, GUYS, I DON'T GET A CHECK FOR ANOTHER WEEK SO NO DRIVING, NO MOVIES, NO NOTHING.

FOR PEOPLE DRIVING TO WORK, WITH A TERRIBLE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN RHODE ISLAND, IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE FROM PROVIDENCE TO POINT JUDITH TO CLEAN FISH, YOU ARE HURTING.

IF YOU ARE PAYING RENT IN RHODE ISLAND, YOU ARE HURTING, SO THIS MEANS A LOT TO PEOPLE, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE $.34 PER GALLON.

THAT IS LIKE CHRISTMAS.

SCOTT: THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS, HOW MANY POTHOLES WE WILL PUT UP WITH.

WE DO BUILD ROADS, THEN I HAVE TO GIVE THE REMIND OVER MINISTRATION -- FOR MONDO ADMINISTRATION CREDIT FOR PUTTING RESOURCES TO FIX OUR CRUMBLING HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.

AND THE GAS TAX DOES PUT PEOPLE TO WORK.

JIM: IT IS FUNNY HOW THERE S THIS DEBATE OVER LEGISLATION.

WHY DOESN'T THE GOVERNOR JUST ISSUE AN EMERGENCY ORDER?

SAY I'M GOING TO SUSPEND THE GAS TAX, IT'S AN EMERGENCY ORDER AND WE WILL DO IT FOR X PERIOD OF TIME AND SEE HOW IT COMES DOWN?

LEEANN: THAT WOULD BE A GOOD COUNTERPOINT TO THE FBI INVESTIGATION.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: BUT THE PROBLEM IS HE -- THEN WHAT DO YOU DO?

IT WILL NOT COME BEFORE THE PRIMARY.

THEY WILL NOT REINSTITUTE THAT TAX BILL SEPTEMBER 10 OR WHATEVER THE DAY IS.

LET'S DO THIS, LET'S GET OUTRAGEOUS AND/OR KUDOS.

WHAT DO HAVE THIS WEEK?

MY OUTRAGE IS A SIMPLE ONE BUT PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS.

SCOTT: WE LOOK AT VIRGINIA THOMAS WHO IS A CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST WHO HAPPENS TO BE THE SPOUSE OF CLARENCE THOMAS, THE MOST CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WAS JUST REVEALED -- JIM: THIS JUST CAME OUT -- SCOTT: IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.

BOB WOODWARD, WELL-KNOWN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, FOUND A WAY TO GRAB THESE TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN THOMAS AND MARK MEADOWS, WHO WAS DONALD TRUMP'S CHIEF OF STAFF.

SHE IS RELENTLESS TRYING TO GET THIS ELECTION OVERTURNED AND HER HUSBAND DECIDES NOT TO RECUSE HIMSELF AND SURE ENOUGH, HE IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE NINE JUSTICES WHO VOTED NOT TO RELEASE THE NATIONAL ARCHIVE STUFF, INCLUDING THESE TEXTS, TO THE JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE.

THIS JUST LOOKS AWFUL.

JUDGE ROBERTS, BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT CANNOT DO MUCH ABOUT IT AND NEITHER CAN THE CONGRESS, DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THIS REALLY IS ON THE SHOULDER OF JUDGE THOMAS TO DO SOMETHING.

JUDGE ROBERTS TO DO SOMETHING.

JIM: LEANNE?

LEEANN: I AM NOT SEE MOST OF THE TEXTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THEM.

THIS WAS FROM THE TRENCH THAT CAME FROM MARK MEADOWS.

THAT IS WHERE IT CAME FROM.

HE HANDED THEM OVER.

LEEANN: SHE IS BASICALLY SAYING TO KEEP TRYING TO GO THROUGH THE LEGAL MEANS TO GET DIFFERENT RESULTS.

IF WE ARE LOOKING AT IT IN CONTEXT OF WHAT HAPPENED, AND I CANNOT GIVE YOU SPECIFICS, BUT IF SHE WAS LOOKING AFTER THE ELECTION BEFORE RESULTS WERE CERTIFIED TRYING TO SAY TO KEEP TRYING TO OVERTURN THINGS, I DO NOT THINK THAT IS AS BAD AS WE THINK IT IS.

THE WORST PART IS, WITH EVERYTHING, WITH WATERGATE, WE CAN TALK ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN'S LAPTOP, THE COVER-UP AFTERWARDS IS OFTEN WORSE THAN WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO COVER UP AND THIS COULD BE THE CASE HERE.

JIM: DO YOU HAVE A KUDO?

LEEANN: I DO.

MY OUTRAGE IS THE UKRAINE WAR.

IN PARTICULAR, THE STORY THAT CAME UP THIS WEEK ABOUT PEOPLE TRAFFICKING THE REFUGEES THAT ARE COMING INTO POLAND AND OTHER AREAS.

IT IS DISGUSTING THAT YOU HAVE PEOPLE FLEEING FOR THEIR LIVES, BEING ABLE TO JUST PICK UP A FEW OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND THEY WILL BE VICTIMIZED FURTHER BY THIS HUMAN FILTH, TO PICK UP THESE PEOPLE AND TRY TO TRAFFIC THEM.

JIM: JUST 30 SECONDS LEFT FOR YOU.

PABLO: THE SUPREME COURT HEARINGS FOR JUDGE JACKSON TO SEE SENATORS ARGUING A PUBLIC DEFENDER, A DEFENDER OF THE PUBLIC, DEFENDING PRISONERS IN GUANTANAMO SOMEHOW DOESN'T QUALIFY HER TO BE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

SCOTT: SOME OF THE STUFF WAS REALLY NUTTY.

PABLO: CRAZY STUFF.

JIM: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

PABLO AND SCOTT AND LEANNE, GREAT TO SEE YOU.

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