JIM: THIS WEEK ON LEVEL THERE," -- THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," THE GENERAL -- AND REPUBLICANS ON THE HUNT FOR A SEAT.

TWO MONTHS UNTIL PRIMARY DAY, WHERE ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR?

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED DISCUSSION FOR ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

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

JIM: JOINING US WITH THE ANALYSIS, LEEANN SENNICK, NATIONAL COMMITTEE WOMAN FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

POLITICAL STRATEGIST AND COLUMNIST ROB HOROWITZ AND TED NESI W PRI TELEVISION.

WELCOME, EVERYONE.

I AM JIM HUMMEL.

IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU.

TO BUILD A STRONG TEAM YOU NEED PLAYERS AND A STRONG BENCH.

THE RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN PARTY IS HOPING FOR BOTH, PUTTING UP CANDIDATES AND DOZENS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RACES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT HAS A SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR THE FOUR OPEN SEATS.

LEEANN SENNICK, YOU WERE AT LEAST IT CAN -- OF THE STATE CONVENTION AND THERE WAS A LOT OF ENERGY.

LEEANN: THERE CERTAINLY WAS.

EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME TO LAUNCH OUR CANDIDATES, TO GET THEIR SIGNATURES AND EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR THE PARTY.

WE HAVE A GREAT SLATE, SOMEONE RUNNING IN EVERY POSITION AND A GREAT DEAL OF GENERALIST OF THE CANDIDATES.

JIM: THE BUILDING OF THE BENCH TO BE ABLE TO GET MORE TOWARDS RELEVANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE DON'T KNOW.

WE ARE TAKING ON A THURSDAY.

THE DEADLINE WILL BE TOMORROW SO THAT WILL SHAKE OUT.

THAT WAS A BIG A GROUNDWORK TO GET THAT MANY CANDIDATES, RIGHT?

LEEANN: IT WAS.

A LOT OF IT WAS WORK THE PARTY PUT IN BUT WAS FRUSTRATION AND ANGER PEOPLE HAVE WITH THE STATE, WITH INFLATION, WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON.

WITH THE BILLS THAT WENT THROUGH THE GENERAL SIMPLY, THE BILLS THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

JIM: DEMOCRATS NOT ONLY FACING REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS BUT COMING FROM THE LEFT FLANK, THE PROGRESSIVES.

THEY ARE GETTING IT FROM EACH SIDE.

ROB: I THINK THAT IS RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TO CONGRATULATE THE REPUBLICANS.

I AM NOT JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE LEEANN IS HERE.

RHODE ISLAND REMAINS A FAIRLY AQUATIC STATE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE HAVE 65-10 IN THE HOUSE.

THE STATE IS NOT THAT DEMOCRATIC.

TO TAKE MY DEMOCRAT HAT OFF, THE MORE COMPETITIVE RACES, THE PRIMARIES HAVE BEEN GREAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE OPENED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY UP TO MORE IDEAS.

THEY HAVE MADE IT LESS TOP-DOWN.

I THINK MORE COMPETITION IS ALWAYS GOOD.

TED: I THINK THE STAKES ARE HIGH IN THIS ELECTION.

IT IS HARD TO THINK OF A CYCLE THAT SHAPED UP AS WELL.

YOU DON'T HAVE ARMORS WHICH HAVE OFTEN BEEN TOUGH THIS TIME OF YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS.

ALLAN FUNG HAS A CLEAR PATH.

YOU HAVE THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS YOU COULD HOPE FOR FOR REPUBLICANS, AT LEAST UNTIL THE ROE V. WADE DECISION.

IF HE REPUBLICANS CANNOT MAKE HAY IN A YEARLY THIS, IT WILL BE HARDER IN 2024.

THIS IS THE KIND OF YEAR REPUBLICANS NEED TO PROVE THEY CAN COME NOT JUST CLOSE TO FIELD CANDIDATES BUT ACTUALLY WIN ELECTIONS.

JIM: THERE ARE ALWAYS DISCUSSIONS LIKE THROW OUT MY BUM -- THROUGHOUT ALL BOMBS EXCEPT MY BUM.

ALL OF THE HIGH-PROFILE PEOPLES, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, THEY SURPRISED EVERYBODY.

DENNIS ALGIERE WHO HAS BEEN THERE A LONG TIME.

THAT OPENS UP A POWER VACUUM, DOESN'T IT?

LEEANN: IT DOES.

IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.

THAT IS A MOTIVATION TO RUN BECAUSE IT WILL OPEN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

PEOPLE WANT TO GET IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE BLAKE STEP AWAY AND DENNIS ALGIERE'S STEP AWAY BECAUSE THEY WERE SUCH GOOD REPRESENTATIVES.

BUT IT IS OPENING UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER REPUBLICANS.

JIM: DO YOU SEE A THREAD TO ANY OF THAT WHAT YOU THINK EACH WAS AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION?

ROB: YOU CAN ALMOST FIND ALWAYS INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS FOR THINGS IN POLITICS.

BUT I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AFTER, LIKE MICHAEL MCCAFFREY WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.

ONE SENATOR SAID IT IS EXHAUSTING.

THE VITRIOL THEY'RE GETTING AS LAWMAKERS AND SOCIAL MEDIA, IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE ALWAYS SO HEIGHTENED.

WE HAVE GONE TO SUCH AN EXHAUSTING PERIOD.

THE CONTENTION OF THE TRUMP ERA AND THE PANDEMIC AND THE INFLATION CRISIS.

I THINK THERE IS A SENSE OF EXHAUSTION AMONG LAWMAKERS UP THERE WHO MAYBE WOULD HAVE STAYED LONGER.

WE WERE SHOCKED TO SEE BLAKE WHO WAS SEEN AS ONE OF THE RISING STARS WALK AWAY.

NOT THAT HE IS WALKING AWAY FROM POLITICS, BUT HIS POSITION IN THE HOUSE.

MORE DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS STOOD UP TO PRAISE HIS APPROACH TO LAWMAKING.

I THINK HE IS ONLY 41.

JIM: ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT A JUDGESHIP FOR MCCAFFREY?

ROB: NO DOUBT HE IS INTERESTED.

PARTICULARLY IF THE SENATE IS STILL SENATE PRESIDENT.

JIM: THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE SUCCESSION BUT THEN HE SAID I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

ROB: THERE IS GOING TO BE A LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO WANTED JUDGESHIP.

ROB: I THINK SOME OF IT IS GETTING EXHAUSTED.

THE STAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS FLUSHED WITH MONEY.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ARE DEMOCRAT LAWMAKER.

I KNOW REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO SPEND A DIME.

TO SHAPE POLICY ON THE BUDGET SIDE.

IT WAS RELATIVELY SMOOTH.

MY GUESS FOR MCCAFFREY, HE JUST MADE A DECISION THAT IT WILL BE DO I WANT TO STAY ANOTHER SIX OR PRESIDENT.

I THINK THAT WAS MORE HIS DECISION.

JIM: WITH ALL THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT, IT IS AN EASIER TIME.

DOES THAT MAKE YOU SURPRISED A LOT OF PEOPLE LEFT DESPITE THAT?

ROB: I AM A LITTLE SURPRISED BUT THEY HAVE BEEN THERE A WHILE.

I DO TO 10 YEARS, 12 YEARS, 14 YEARS -- WE CRITICIZE OUR LEGISLATORS AND THEY DESERVE IT.

IT IS A HEAVY LIFT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FULL-TIME LAW PRACTICE OR A JOB.

YOU'RE TALKING MAJOR HOURS.

JIM: IF YOU ARE IN LEADERSHIP.

TED: THOSE FOLKS KNOW THAT NOBODY FEELS IT'S PATHETIC SO THEY WANT SAID PUBLICLY.

BUT THIS CAN BE A FULL-TIME OR MORE.

JIM: AND THERE IS NO OFF-SEASON.

TED: EXACTLY.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EASIER THIS YEAR, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE EASIER NEXT YEAR.

THE BUDGET WRITERS WERE SAYING THIS AS INFLATION IS PUSHING UPSTATE REVENUE, IT IS PUSHING UPSTATE COST.

NEXT YEAR THE PROCESS COULD BE TOUGHER.

JIM: ONCE ALL OF THE SIGNATURES SETTLE OUT AND WHOEVERIS GOING TO BE RUNNING, WHAT AN EGG YOUR MIND TO DO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO STRESS?

WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO POUND IN THESE RACES?

THERE ARE NUANCES TO EACH LOCAL RACE, BUT STATEWIDE WHAT TO THEY HAVE TO FOCUS ON?

LEEANN: THE ECONOMY.

IT IS ON EVERYBODY'S MINDS.

THAT IS THE FEEDBACK, PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD EVERYDAY THINGS.

GROCERIES, GAS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

IF I WERE GOING DOOR TO DOOR, I WOULD BE SAYING THE FIRST ROAD I WOULD BE TAKING WOULD BE TO SUSPEND THE GAS TAX.

THE GOVERNOR COULD NOT DO THAT THROUGH EXECUTIVE DECISION BECAUSE EXTENDED THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

THE GENERAL SIMPLY DID NOT DO THAT IN THE BUDGET.

THAT WOULD PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO EVERYONE IN THE STATE ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE AND THE BIGGEST THING THEY COULD TALK ABOUT, PUTTING MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF RHODE ISLANDERS.

JIM: AND THEN THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO DO WHAT?

ROB: YOU DO WANT TO MAKE THEM INDIVIDUAL RACES ISSUES.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A STATEWIDE SEWAGE, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT -- HAVE A STATEWIDE MESSAGE, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

YOU HAVE A LOT TO BRAG ABOUT IN TERMS OF CLIMATE.

YOU ALSO HAVE THE CHOICE ISSUE.

EVEN THOUGH RHODE ISLAND IS CODIFIED, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH THE MARGINS.

YOU HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH IS A HUGE ISSUE.

ANY LEGISLATOR CAN TAKE CREDIT.

TED: I WONDER IF 2018 SHOULD NOT HAVE IN SUCH A BAD MIDTERM FOR THE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THE ECONOMY WAS DOING WELL, THINGS WERE STABLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE CONTINGENCY COST LED TO THIS BACKLASH WHICH WAS BAD FOR DEMOCRATS.

THIS YEAR WHERE IT SHOULD BE A TERRIBLE YEAR -- JIM: THERE IS ALWAYS THE SWING IN THE MIDTERM.

TED: THAT IS THE WAY THE ROE V. WADE DECISION SCRAMBLED -- ONE GUY IN THE NEW YORK TIMES SAID THEY DISAPPROVE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THEY ARE WORKING TO ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS.

THE ISSUE MIX IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN A TRADITIONAL MIDTERM YEAR.

LEEANN: I THINK THE ROE THING WILL NOT HAVE THE EFFECT IN RHODE ISLAND LIKE IT DID NATIONWIDE.

JIM: LIKE ANY STATE LIKE NORTH CAROLINA WHICH IS A PURPLE STATE.

LEEANN: RIGHT.

WE HAVE ALREADY CODIFIED IT.

FOR THE CANDIDATES RUNNING, AND MAJORITY SUPPORT SOME LIMITS ON ABORTION.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DEGREES OF ROE V. WADE AND HOW WE ARE ALLOWING THAT, I DON'T SEE IT AS A PARTICULAR LOSING THING.

JIM: LET'S MOVE ON TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

ALLAN FUNG AND SETH MAGAZINER ARE OUT FRONT.

INTERESTING POLL FROM BREITBART.

INTERNAL POLLING SHOWS ALLAN FUNG LOOKING GOOD IN THIS RACE.

TED: THERE ARE TIMES IF I WONDER IF THEIR RISK IS OVERCONFIDENCE.

THERE WERE UP SIX POINTS.

JIM: WE ARE NOT TALKING TO THE NEEDY.

[LAUGHTER] TED: HEATED NEWSMAKERS LAST WEEK -- A LITTLE MORE OPEN.

OPENING THAT POLL THEIR CONSULTED PUT OUT HAS THEM OF 15 POINTS WHICH FEELS A LITTLE AGGRESSIVE TO ME.

IT IS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT.

HE WAS A MAYOR AND A POPULAR ONE.

SETH MAGAZINER IS IN A LOWER STATE PROFILE.

HE IS NOT EVEN THE NOMINEE IN -- THE NOMINEE YET.

I THINK THAT WILL BE A DOGFIGHT UNTIL THE END.

JIM: ROB WANTS TO SEE THE CROSSTABS.

ROB: IT IS CLEARLY A COMPETITIVE RACE.

I WOULD RATHER BE SETH MAGAZINER THAN ALLAN FUNG.

HERE IS WHERE I THINK EVEN IF IT WAS BY CHOICE IN STATE RACES -- IN A FEDERAL RACE, THAT IS WHERE CHOICE BECOMES -- A CLOSE RACE COULD BE THE WEDDING DIFFERENCE FOR SETH MAGAZINER.

IF YOU LOOK AT POLLING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IS HAPPENING.

IF USED TO BE AND IT ISSUE THAT WAS AN ADVANTAGE TO REPUBLICANS.

THE ENERGY WAS ON THE PRO-LIFE SIDE.

THAT HAS FOOT TO THE PRO-CHOICE SIDE.

YOU HAVE TWICE MANY PRO-CHOICE PEOPLE, JUST TWO TO ONE STILL IN THE PUBLIC, SAYING THEY WILL ONLY VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE THAT SHARES THEIR VALUES AND THEIR POSITION ON ABORTION.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE A 20 POINT FACTOR, BUT COULD IT BE A TWO OR THREE POINT FACTOR?

THEN YOU GET ALLAN FUNG FUMBLING THIS ON THE ISSUE AND IS TRYING TO BE ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE.

HE MIGHT EVEN LOSE SOME PRO-LIFE VOTERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RACE OVERALL, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT ALLAN FUNG IS AHEAD BUT HE IS UNDER 50.

I WOULD RATHER BE SETH MAGAZINER.

SETH MAGAZINER HAS A TON OF MONEY AND HAS YET TO STRIP TO SPEND IT.

JIM: BUT A LOT OF MONEY WILL COME IN NATIONALLY.

LEEANN: ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MONEY WILL START PILING IN.

ONE ADVANTAGE ALLAN FUNG HAS OVER SETH MAGAZINER IS HE DOES NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HE CANNOT DECIDE HIS OWN NOMINATION PAPERS TO PUT HIM ON THE BALLOT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN THE MAYOR OF THE LARGEST CITY IN THE DISTRICT AND A POPULAR MAYOR, THAT IS A LOT TO OVERCOME.

SETH MAGAZINER DOES NOT HAVE THAT PERSONALITY TO BE THAT OUTGOING, FRIENDLY, HANDSHAKING GUY.

I DON'T SEE THAT CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE ECONOMY, WITH THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING GOING ON.

YOU HAVE A PERSON LIKE ALLAN FUNG WHO IS MORE THE EVERYDAY PERSON.

HE IS MUCH MORE RELATABLE THAN SETH MAGAZINER.

I CANNOT SEE HIM HAVING RELATABLE AS FAR AS HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FILL UP YOUR GAS TANK?

JIM: ALL FAIR POINTS.

IF SETH MAGAZINER WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR, I THINK YOU WOULD BE COMPLETELY CORRECT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THESE RACES ARE NATIONAL.

IT IS ABOUT CHOOSING YOUR TEAM AND CHOOSING THEIR ISSUES.

I REMEMBER WHEN SHELDON WHITEHOUSE BEAT LINCOLN CHAFEE IN 2006.

TED: LINCOLN CHAFEE HAD A 65% LEGIBLE -- RELATABLE.

ROB: ECONOMIES COULD THE AHEAD FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE AHEAD.

DEMOCRATS HAVE TO BE EIGHT TO 10 POINTS AHEAD IN THE HOUSE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT DISTRICT, I THINK IT WILL BE CLOSE.

I WOULD RATHER IT BE SETH MAGAZINER.

TED: I WAS TALKING TO A REPUBLICAN YESTERDAY.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH DONALD TRUMP?

THERE ARE MORE REPORTS ABOUT HIM ANNOUNCING HE IS RUNNING AGAIN BEFORE THE MIDTERMS.

I AM SURE THERE ARE DISTRICTS THAT IS A BENEFIT OR OR A WASH.

I DON'T THINK HIM CAMPAIGNING NATIONALLY IN A MIDTERM YEAR IS A NET POSITIVE IN RHODE ISLAND.

HE WAS NOT HELPFUL TO THE PATY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF NEWS CYCLES.

PEOPLE CONTINUE TO SAY, WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WILL DO.

IF HE IS RUNNING AND ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING, I THINK TRUMP BECOMES MORE OF A FACTOR AND THAT HAS NOT BEEN GOOD IN BLUE STATES.

ROB: HE IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

HE IS THE REASON THEY ARE THE MAJORITY BECAUSE HE SCREWED UP TWO GEORGIA RACES.

IF HE GETS IN THE RACE BEFORE THE MIDTERMS, I THINK THAT DOES TURN FROM WHAT WOULD BE WITH THE DEMOCRATS DO, MORE REFERENDUM ON JOE BIDEN AND INFLATION, INTO A REAL CHOICE ELECTION AND HE SCREWS UP THE REPUBLICANS.

HE HAS ALREADY SCREWED HIM UP WITH THE ELECTION DENYING CANDIDATES AROUND THE COUNTRY WHICH GIVES DEMOCRATS A BETTER MONEY TO HOLD THE SENATE.

AS MUCH AS HE IS A THREAT TO THE REPUBLIC AND I HOPE HE NEVER RUNS AGAIN AND HE SPENT THE REST OF HIS LIFE PLAYING GOLF, THAT WOULD BE THE BEST FOR THE COUNTRY.

EVERY TIME HE GETS INTO ONE OF THESE, IT HELPS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

LEEANN: WE CAN SPECULATE ON WHAT DONALD TRUMP MAY OR MAY NOT DO.

JIM: HE IS LIVING RENT-FREE IN ROB'S HEAD.

LEEANN: HE IS, BUT BY IS NOT LIVING RENT-FREE.

HE IS INCREASING THE RENT PRICE FOR EVERYBODY.

THAT IS JUDGMENTAL TO THE DEMOCRATS.

HE IS COMPETENT.

HIS POLICIES ARE NOT WORKING.

IS FAVORABLE RATINGS ARE TERRIBLE.

ANYONE COMING UP IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS FACING THE SAME THING.

KAMALA HARRIS IS NOT A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO JOE BIDEN.

THE SAME THINGS WE COULD BE SAYING ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS AND THE RISK FACTORS BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS AN ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECK OF THE DEMOCRATS.

ROB: I THINK JOE BIDEN IS A VERY GOOD PRESIDENT.

LEEANN: SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] ROB: I KNOW WE DISAGREE, IT IS FINE.

IF YOU LOOK AT UKRAINE, HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.

IF HE DOES RUN IN 2024 AND LOSE, HE WILL CONCEDE THE ELECTION.

BUT OBVIOUSLY RIGHT NOW -- IF YOU LOOK AT INFLATION, HE IS NOT THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA OR GREAT BRITAIN.

TED: LEEANN WISHES HE WAS.

[LAUGHTER] ROB: IT IS A WORLDWIDE PROBLEM.

HE IS THE INCUMBENT AND HIS APPROVAL NUMBERS ARE NOT GOOD.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRENDS AND MIDTERMS, THE HISTORICAL TRENDS ARE NOT FAVORABLE FOR DEMOCRATS.

THERE IS AN INSTINCT ECONOMY GOING ON.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE COMBINATION OF THE CHOICE ISSUE, GUN SAFETY, YOU HAVE SOME THINGS THAT PUSH BACK.

YOU WOULD STILL SAY THE REPUBLICANS ARE THE CLEAR FAVORITE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SENATE AND READY RACES ARE, EVEN THOUGH THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATS, THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO HOLD THE SENATE.

JIM: TO BE CONTINUED.

TED, YOU MADE AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION.

HERE WE ARE A LITTLE MORE THAN EIGHT WEEKS FROM THE PRIMARY, WHERE ARE THE CANDIDATES ON THE STOP?

-- ON THE STUMP?

IS THIS JUST AN OLD WE ARE JUST GOING TO RUN THE COMMERCIAL.

I AM JUST STUNNED.

WHERE ARE ALL OF THE DAILY ACTIVITIES?

AREN'T WE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO COVER?

IT IS SLOW IN THE SUMMER.

TED: YOU HAVE WORKED IN BROADCAST NEWS MEDIA.

JIM: IF THERE IS SOMETHING, LET'S COVER IT.

TED: THERE IS NOT A LOT OF OTHER NEWS GOING ON, IF A CANDIDATE WAS DOING SOMETHING, WE WOULD SEND A CAMERA OVER.

THAT IS WHAT YOU AND I WERE EMAILING ABOUT.

YOU HAVE A COUPLE YEARS ON ME, I WANT TO SAY HOW MANY.

YOU HAVE SEEN MORE CYCLES IN RHODE ISLAND AND WHAT YOU EXPECT IN JULY IS THE DAILY -- THE SECRETARY IS OUT WITH HER PLAN FOR XYZ, THESE ADVOCATES, WHY SHE IS GOING TO FIX THAT.

FOLKS WILL BE HERE AT THIS COMMUNITY EVENT TALKING ABOUT X. I CANNOT THINK OF A SINGLE PRESS CONFERENCE TYPE OF EVENT THE SECRETARY HAD IN HER RACE.

JIM: MEANWHILE THE GOVERNOR IS BEING THE GOVERNOR.

TED: HE HAS TAKEN A LOT OF KNOCKS AND HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS POLITICAL STRATEGY BUT THEY ARE RUNNING IS SMART INCUMBENT RACE WHICH IS EVERY DAY HIS OFFICE HAS A BILL SIGNING OR SOMETHING FOR HE IS ANNOUNCING MONEY FOR QUONSET, MORE WIND POWER.

IS AMAZING THAT HIS OPPONENTS ARE NOT EVEN TRYING TO GET ANY FREE MEDIA RIGHT NOW, AT LEAST NOT MUCH.

JIM: ASHLEY KAYLA'S WHO DOES NOT HAVE A PRIMARY IS RUNNING AS IF SHE HAS ONE.

LEEANN: SHE NEEDS TO GET KNOWN IN THE STATE AND SHE IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF THAT.

SHE HAS BEEN OUT OF THERE DAY AND NIGHT FROM SMALL BUSINESSES, EVENTS, EVERYTHING.

SHE IS OUT THERE WORKING IT.

THE FIRST THING SHE DID IS PUT OUT THIS AD.

SHE SAID WE ARE GOING TO RAISE THE CORPORATE TAX RATE.

WE ARE LIVING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE.

WE HAVE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, COST CONSTRAINTS.

THE FIRST THING TO SAY IS I'M GOING TO RAISE TAXES ON CORPORATIONS, THAT WILL RAISE THE PRICES FOR EVERYONE IN THIS STATE.

THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE.

TED: I AM HERE IS WHAT YOU THINK, ROB.

THAT NOT ONLY POLLS WITH DEMOCRATS BUT IT -- LEEANN: IT IS THE WRONG TIME.

ROB: THERE YOU GO.

I THINK IT IS A CLOSE CALL.

I THINK IT IS TOO SOON TO TALK ABOUT ANY TAX INCREASES.

THERE IS NO REASON TO DO IT.

I WOULD LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, CRITICAL OF THEM OF NOT DOING MORE DAILY EVENTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT TWO HAS GAINED SINCE THIS CAMPAIGN HAS STARTED, IT IS FOLKS.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE POLL, SHE PICKS UP 10.

EVERYONE ELSE STAYED WHERE THEY ARE.

IF I AM LOOKING AT THAT POLL, I WOULD SAY SHE IS HEADED UP LIKE A ROCKET SHIP AND THESE OTHER FOLKS ARE STUCK ALMOST EXACTLY WHERE THEY WERE.

JIM: AND THEN PLAY OFF OF THAT ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS.

ROB: YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD.

THAT IS A FAIR CRITICISM.

SHE IS A NEW CANDIDATE, MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISTAKES.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE DOING, IT IS WORKING.

MY ORIGINAL THEORY WAS THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE A BIG BENEFIT BECAUSE THINGS WERE GOING TO GET BETTER IN THE COUNTRY AND ALL OF THAT.

TED: I THOUGHT THE SAME THING.

ROB: BUT WITH INFLATION, HE HAS A TRICKIER PATH TO THE NOMINATION THAN I THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE.

HE HAS STARTED TO OUTLINE SOME OF HIS COMPLIMENTS.

HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE RELATIVELY WEAK.

IF I LOOK AT THIS RACE, I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL WIN IT.

IN TERMS OF WHO CAN GAIN AND CONTINUE TO GAIN, SHE IS A BUSINESSWOMAN SO SHE COULD BE OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL THING AND SAY I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

I WOULD LOOK OUT FOR HER.

TED: I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC MEMORIES GOING.

THEY ARE NOT EVEN DOING THAT MUCH.

JIM: EVERYBODY CHECKED OUT IN AUGUST.

SOME PEOPLE ARE ON VACATION, SOME ARE JUST HANGING AROUND.

TED: THE CALENDAR IS ONLY HALF AS LONG AS IT LOOKS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PRIMARY SCHEDULE.

BECAUSE THESE ARE SUCH QUIET MONTHS.

YOU MISSED HALF THE PEOPLE IF YOU DO AN EVENT.

ROB: IF YOU LOOK AT RESEARCH, THAT IS SOMEWHAT OVERSTATED.

THE TV ADS WHICH SHE IS DOING -- JIM: THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME BECAUSE THE GAS PRICES ARE SO HIGH.

INFLATION, RIGHT?

IT IS BENEFITING THE CANDIDATES.

ROB: EXACTLY.

AND ACTION A CALLOUS WILL WAIVE HER MAGIC WAND AND GAS PRICES WILL DROP.

JIM: THE PRIMARY IS THE 13TH.

YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT TIME AFTER.

TED: FAR BE IT FROM ME TO TALK DOWN SUMMER TV RATINGS, I WANT PEOPLE WATCHING THE NEWS ALL YEAR LONG.

I KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE AND THEY GO DOWN.

IN 2020 I WAS COVERING THE JOE KENNEDY ED MARKEY PRIMARY.

IT WAS SEPTEMBER 1.

THEY ARE AT LEAST GOING TO HAVE THIS VERY INTENSE OPENING TO SEPTEMBER BEFORE THE VOTE.

THE OTHER THING WE DON'T KNOW IS HOW THIS CHANGES TO HOW YOU VOTE -- KNOW ALL OF THE CHANGES TO HOW YOU VOTE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO THE NON-EMERGENCY MAIL BALLOTS.

OR WILL MOST PEOPLE POST-COVID SHIFT BACK TO IN-PERSON?

JIM: FINAL WORD ON THE GOVERNOR'S -- ON THE GOVERNORS 'RACE.

LEEANN: THEY NEED TO PICK UP THEIR GAME.

THEY ARE NOT REACHING THE AUDIENCE THEY THINK THEY ARE REACHING.

THEY HAVE TO PICK UP THE DIGITAL SIDE OF IT.

IT HAS CHANGED A LOT.

LET'S DO OUTRAGES OR KUDOS.

ROB: I HAVE A KUDOS.

IT HAS A LITTLE OUTRAGE TO IT.

MINE IS TO LIZ CHENEY.

I WANT TO PRAISE REPUBLICANS FOR YOU.

[LAUGHTER] NOT MANY POLITICIANS -- HE HAD EIGHT PEOPLE.

SHE IS A PROFILE IN COURAGE.

SHE HAS RISKED AND LOST A POSITION IN HOUSE LEADERSHIP.

BECAUSE OF THE PRINCIPLE STANCE SHE IS TAKING ON THE DONOR SIXTH COMMITTEE AND ON DONALD TRUMP, SHE IS A DECIDED UNDERDOG IN A RACE SHE WOULD OTHERWISE WIN EASILY.

SHE HAS PUT YOURSELF ON THE END PUT THE COUNTRY FIRST -- PUT HERSELF ON THE LINE AND PUT THE COUNTRY FIRST.

LEEANN: I HAVE AN OUTRAGE ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TRAINING.

$98 MILLION WORTH OF FRAUD IS WHAT THEY KNOW.

THE ORDER SUSPECTS $550 MILLION ON TOP OF THAT IN FRAUD PAID OUT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO PERPETRATE THAT MUCH FRAUD BECAUSE WE HAD A SYSTEM THAT WAS INTEGRATED AND LOWERED THE SAFEGUARDS.

THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE NOW?

WHERE IS THE RECOURSE TO GET THAT MONEY BACK INTO THE STATE.

AND IT WENT OVERSEAS.

HOW DO WE FIND OUT WHERE RECEIVE THIS MONEY?

THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO TRACE IT.

JIM: THEY SAID A LOT OF THE BAD GUYS WERE WAITING, SITTING AND WAITING.

MANY OF YOU GOT THOSE LETTERS THAT SOMEONE FILED.

WHAT BLEW ME AWAY WAS THIS SENT ME A LETTER WITH MY FULL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

IN THAT SAME ENVELOPE WAS SOMEBODY ELSE THEY STEPPED INTO MY ENVELOPE.

I HAD HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

DLT IS LIKE WE NEED TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING ON IT, BUT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

LEEANN: THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO ELECTRONIC VOTING AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

STATE.

WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD HISTORY OF ROLLING OUT NEW TECHNOLOGY AND SEEING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE DON'T DO THAT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, IT COSTS THE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

JIM: YOU HAD LAST-MINUTE.

TED: I WILL DO ANY OUTRAGE.

THERE WAS A REPORT ABOUT A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO HAD TO GO OVER STATE LINES TO GET AN ABORTION BECAUSE SHE WAS RAPED.

IT WAS BASED ON ONE DOCTOR AND A LOT OF NATIONAL PUNDITS STARTED TO SAY MAYBE THIS STORY WAS MADE UP.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE LOCAL REPORTER FROM THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH WHO WAS IN THE COURTROOM WHEN THE ARRAIGNMENT CAME THAT REVEALS THIS WAS TRUE.

THIS WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE SO MANY PEOPLE GETTING PAID JUST TO PUNDIT-CIZE, JUST SAY WHAT THEY WANT.

SO MANY PEOPLE SIT IN AMERICA'S COURTROOMS THAT TAKE DOWN THE FACTS THAT THEN WE CAN DEBATE.

THE VALUE OF COLLECTING FACTS, IT IS DOING MORE AND MORE DAMAGE.

JIM: AND NO APOLOGY FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

TED: NO APOLOGY.

JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TODAY.

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

FOLKS, IT IS BUSY EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN THE DOG DAYS.

WE WILL HAVE ALL OF IT COVERED.

WE HOPE YOU COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

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