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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

A LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING THE IMPACT OF DONALD TRUMP'S CRIMINAL CONVICTION ON ARIZONA POLITICS.

JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY AND THAT MEANS ANOTHER EDITION OF THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

AND JOINING US TONIGHT, HOWIE FISCHER OF CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES.

JIM SMALL OF THE "ARIZONA MIRROR" AND LAURIE ROBERTS OF THE ARIZONA ROBERT AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOWIE, HUGE, HISTORIC, WE GOT ALL OF THAT, TRUMP'S FOUND GUILTY, ALL 34 COUNTS, A FELON, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ARIZONA POLITICS?

>> BUMPKIS.

TED: NOTHING?

>> NOTHING.

I WAS GOING TO MAKE CALLS TO THE USUAL SUSPECTS, THE REPUBLICANS ARE ALL SAYING THE SAME THING, IT'S A TRAVESTY, HE WAS RAILROADED.

DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THE PROCESS WORKS.

NOTHING CHANGES.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES BEFORE WHETHER IT'S KARI LAKE OR ABE HAMADEH OR BLAKE MASTERS WHO IS TRYING TO FUND RAISE OFF OF THIS THOUGH BLAKE WASN'T ENDORSED BY TRUMP, SAYING IT HELPS US.

THEY'RE SAYING WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE FACT WE NEED PROPER LEADERSHIP IN OUR COUNTRY AND JOE BIDEN IS THE LEADER AND NEED TO ELECT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WILL SUPPORT HIM.

TED: ALL REPUBLICANS ARE BASICALLY FALLING IN LINE HERE?

IS THERE -- ARE THERE ANY NAYSAYERS, ANYONE FALLING OUT OF LINE?

>> ELECTED REPUBLICANS ARE CERTAINLY FALLING OUT OF LINE TO THE EXTENT THEY'RE SAYING ANYTHING.

THAT'S MAYBE WHERE THIS MIGHT HAVE AN EFFECT.

THE LEGISLATURE IS UP FOR GRABS.

REPUBLICANS ARE IN TIGHT RACES THERE.

YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF CONGRESSIONAL RACES THAT ARE TIGHT, AND IN A LOT OF CASES THESE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE TRIED TO KEEP TRUMP AT AN ARM'S DISTANCE.

SOME OF THE COMPETITIVE RACES FOR CONGRESS, AND NOW I THINK THAT THOSE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO REALLY TAKE A STAND.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HIDE FOR LONG ON WHETHER THEY THINK THE TRIAL WAS FAIR, WHETHER THEY THINK THAT THIS IS INDEED A SHAM OR IS JUSTICE HAPPENING?

THINGS LIKE THAT.

THOSE THINGS ON THE MARGIN CAN TELL VOTERS A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHO THEY'RE SUPPORTING OR WHO THEY'RE OPPOSING, AND MIGHT MOVE THE NEEDLE A LITTLE BIT AND IN A CLOSE RACE, MOVING 1% OF VOTERS MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, LAURIE?

>> IF IT'S A CLOSE RACE, IT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE HAVE MADE UP THEIR MINDS ABOUT THIS MAN, SOLIDLY IN THE TRUMP CAMP OR NO WAY, NO HOW, NEVER.

VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL -- THERE MIGHT BE PEOPLE WAVERING BUT ONCE TRUMP, WHO BY THE WAY, RAISED 34 MILLION IN THE HOURS AFTER THIS THING, AND WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THERE IS THEY CLAIM THAT 30% OF THAT MONEY IS COMING FROM PEOPLE WHO NEVER GAVE THEM MONEY BEFORE.

SO THEY MAY BE GETTING A FEW CONVERTS TO THEIR SIDE.

WHETHER IT'S ENOUGH, WE'LL SEE.

>> HERE'S THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER, LET'S ASSUME THE JURY ACQUITTED HIM.

WE'D BE HEARING THE SAME STUFF FROM BOTH SIDES.

REPUBLICANS SAYING THIS TRIAL WAS A TRAVESTY, HE'S BEEN RAILROADED AND THE DEMOCRATS SAYING THE PROCESS WORKS, AND TRUMP WOULD BE RAISING MONEY EITHER WAY.

IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT THE VERDICT WAS.

TED: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR RACES IN ARIZONA, BALLOT PROPOSITIONS FOR GET OUT THE VOTE?

IS THERE ANY ACTOR?

GOOD LORD, HOWIE, THIS IS THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, A CONVICTED FELON.

>> UNDERSTOOD.

OUT OF THREE MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS OR SO, I CAN'T THINK OF -- PROBABLY A HANDFUL THAT MAYBE IT MAKES A DIFFERENT FOR, WHAT THEY MAY DO IS SKIP THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

THEY MAY BE SAYING I CAN'T VOTE FOR TRUMP, BUT I CAN'T VOTE FOR BIDEN.

AS FAR AS THE REST OF THE TICKET GOES, THEY'RE NOT STAYING HOME.

>> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR TRUMP WHO SAY I'M GOING SKIP THIS RACE AND NOT VOTE.

ARIZONA WAS DECIDED BY 10,000 VOTES IN 2020.

THAT IS A NARROW MARGIN OUT OF 2.7 MILLION, 2.6 MILLION BALLOTS THAT WERE CAST.

THAT'S A TINY AMOUNT.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A HUGE NUMBER OF VOTERS, SOMETHING SIMILAR COULD CHANGE THE OUTCOME THIS YEAR.

IT REALLY COULD MOVE THINGS ALONG.

I THINK WE SAW THAT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IN 22.

HOW MANY UNDERVOTES WERE THERE ON THE AG'S RACE AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

AND THOSE WERE RACES THAT WERE EXCEPTIONALLY CLOSE, AND YOU FIGURE THAT IF MOST OF THOSE, I THINK THERE WERE 30,000 UNDERVOTES ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IF THOSE FOLKS CAST BALLOTS AND THEY WERE GENERALLY REPUBLICANS AND VOTED FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, WE WOULD HAVE GOVERNOR KARI LAKE AND NOT GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS.

>> MIGHT HAVE COME OUT IN 15, THE ACCESS HOLLYWOOD TAPE HE WAS CAUGHT SAYING PRETTY OFFENSIVE THINGS, AND I THOUGHT THERE'S NO WAY THIS GUY IS GOING ANYWHERE, BUT PEOPLE CAME HOME IN THE END.

AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU GOT MONEY, THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO HAVE THE MONEY TO SPIN THIS AS WE WANT, WE HAVE TO SAVE AMERICA BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS CORRUPT, EVERYBODY BUT ME IS CORRUPT.

THAT WILL RESONATE WITH A CERTAIN CROWD.

IT WILL REV UP THE MAGA PEOPLE, BUT HONESTLY, THE MAGA PEOPLE ARE REVVED UP, ANYWAY.

>> ONE IMPORTANT ISSUE TO POINT OUT, THERE SAY REASONABLE CASE TO BE MADE THAT ALVIN BRAGG COULD HAVE HANDLED THESE AS MISDEMEANORS.

SO THE QUESTION BECOMES, WHY DIDN'T HE DO THAT?

WHY DID HE INSIST ON BLOWING THIS INTO A FELONY?

THERE WERE FOLKS ON THE MARGIN SAYING THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY TRIAL.

TED: THAT'S RELATIVELY SIMPLE, IT BECAME A FELONY BECAUSE IT INVOLVED THE ELECTION, INVOLVED CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

>> THAT IS SUCH A STRETCH.

YOU NEED, AS YOU POINT OUT, THE FOOLING WITH BUSINESS RECORDS IS A MISDEMEANOR, UNLESS YOU ARE DOING IT FOR ANOTHER CRIME, THAT CRIME BEING THEORETICALLY TRYING TO INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTION.

I STILL THINK A REASONABLE CASE COULD BE MADE THAT IT WAS AN UNNECESSARY STRETCH.

>> I THINK THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS RAN OUT ON THE CHARGES AND THAT'S WHY HE HAD TO REV IT UP TO THE FELONY LEVEL AND COME UP WITH THE UNDERLYING CRIME, WHICH I NEVER WAS CLEAR WHAT THE UNDERLYING CRIME WAS.

THE THING THAT PEOPLE MISSED HERE IS CONVICTED FELON OR NOT, DOESN'T ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FACT THAT THIS GUY WAS VISITING WITH, I'LL SAY, A PORN STAR, AND MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ON HIS OWN ENGINEERED THIS HUSH MONEY, WHETHER IT'S A CRIME OR NOT.

IS IT POSSIBLE OUR STANDARDS HAVE LOWERED TO THE POINT -- >> I'LL ANSWER THE QUESTION.

IN FACT, YOU POINT OUT FACT THAT THE AUDIOTAPE OF HIM ON THE BUS, ABOUT BEING ABLE TO GRAB WOMEN, IF YOU HAVE POWER.

THEY'VE JUST DECIDED, THIS IS BOY TALK, THIS IS TRUMP, THIS IS MR. MACHO MAN, AND THEY'VE DECIDED IT'S OKAY, BECAUSE HE'S OUR GUY.

LOOK AT NUMBER OF EVANGELICALS WHO VOTED FOR THIS GUY OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IF THEIR OWN PASTOR HAD DONE THIS, THE PASTOR WOULD BE OUT ON THE STREET.

>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, DO YOU THINK IT MAKES IT TOUGHER FOR KARI LAKE TO BRING UP THE ALLEGATIONS THAT SHE'S DYING TO MAKE ABOUT RUBEN GALLEGO, WHO WE ALL KNOW BECAUSE SHE TELLS US OVER AND OVER AGAIN, LEFT HIS WIFE NINE MONTHS INTO THE PREGNANCY.

HOW DO YOU GET BEHIND DONALD TRUMP WHO IS -- CAN YOU SAY BOINKING?

BOINKING PORN STARS BUT YOU ARE NOT OKAY WITH RUBEN GALLEGO WHO LEFT HIS WIFE.

>> SHE'S GOING TO BRING IT UP ANYWAY.

LOOK FOR WHATEVER MUD YOU GOT AND YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO MATTER, AND IF SOMETHING COMES OUT OF, IF THE DIVORCE PAPERS BECOME PUBLIC AT SOME POINT OUT OF YAVAPAI COUNTY AND SOMETHING INTERESTING IN THERE, SHE'LL BEAT HIM OVER THE HEAD WITH IT.

TED: BACK TO THE TRIAL, BACK TO WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK, AS ONE ATTORNEY MENTIONED, I THINK PROSECUTION MENTIONED, YOU DON'T GIVE SOMEONE $130,000 TEN YEARS AFTERWARDS FOR NO REASON.

I MEAN, THERE IS A REASON FOR ALL THIS.

THE JURY TOOK NO TIME IN SAYING, YEAH, I GOT IT.

HE'S GUILTY.

I MADE A DECISION, I FIGURED IT OUT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE SAY I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CRIME WAS WHEN IT SEEMED RELATIVELY CLEAR.

>> YEAH, THE PROSECUTION CERTAINLY, IF YOU WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND WATCHING IT, YEAH, THEY ALLEGED ESSENTIALLY THAT THERE WERE THREE DIFFERENT POTENTIAL FELONIES, AND THE JURY HAD THE OPTION TO LOOK AT THE MISDEMEANORS AND SAY THEY WERE IN SERVICE OF ONE OF THESE THREE OTHER FELONIES -- CONSPIRACY, ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DID AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF TESTIMONY TO THAT EFFECT FROM THE FORMER HEAD OF THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER, FROM TRUMP'S FORMER ATTORNEY, MICHAEL COHEN, ABOUT HOW -- AND EVEN THE ATTORNEY FOR STORMY DANIELS, THE PORN STAR AT THE CENTER OF THIS, ALL OF THEM SAID THAT THIS WAS SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT TRYING TO, TRYING TO TAMP DOWN BAD STORIES FOR THE ELECTION, GET GOOD STORIES FOR TRUMP OR STORIES AGAINST HIS OPPONENTS WITH THE IDEA BEING THAT THEY HAD TO ACT WHEN THEY DID BECAUSE THE ELECTION WAS COMING UP, AND I THINK EVEN ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS SAID WE NEEDED TO DO THIS NOW BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO LOSE, AND SO IF WE DON'T DO IT NOW, THEN WE DON'T HAVE LEVERAGE OVER THIS, NO ONE EXPECTING HE WAS GOING TO WIN THE ELECTION.

>> NOW IT IS COMING OUT AND NOT GOING TO HURT HIM.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT US?

WHETHER IT WAS A CRIME OR JUST A CRUMMY THING TO DO, WE'RE OKAY WITH THAT.

TED: WHAT DOES THAT SAY?

>> WE APPARENTLY HAVE NO STANDARDS FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THERE USED TO BE THIS VENEER OF MORALITY AT LEAST THAT POLITICIANS, PRESIDENTS AND SUCH WOULD TRY TO -- >> WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, MY DEAR?

>> USED TO AT LEAST PRETEND AND TRY TO COVER THINGS UP.

JFK WAS PROBABLY A HOUND DOG BUT PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW IT AT THE TIME.

I DIDN'T THINK.

I WASN'T OLD ENOUGH AT THE TIME.

>> WE CAN TAKE BLAME ON OURSELVES.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALL ALONG.

AMERICA DID NOT KNOW THAT F DR WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR BECAUSE THE PRESS AGREED TO COVER IT UP.

THE PRESS KNEW ABOUT JFK, THEY KNEW ABOUT LYNDON JOHNSON AND EVERYONE ELSE.

>> NOW THE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT DONALD TRUMP, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT HIM.

>> WELL, IT COMES DOWN TO HE STILL INSISTS HE NEVER HAD SEX WITH HER, NEVER MIND THE DESCRIPTION OF SPANKING HIM WITH THE MONEY MAGAZINE OR WHATEVER, AND THE MONEY WAS SIMPLY LEGAL PAYMENTS TO MICHAEL COHEN.

TED: WHICH IS WHY THEY DID NOT WANT HIM TO TESTIFY BECAUSE THE MINUTE HE SAYS THAT YOU GOT PERJURY REARING ITS HEAD.

ALL RIGHT, ON A SCALE OF ZERO TO TEN, ZERO ABSOLUTELY NO FACTOR AT ALL, AND TEN, IT'S AN ABSOLUTE LANDSLIDE, AND A DISASTER FOR DONALD TRUMP.

OR A GOOD THING FOR DONALD TRUMP.

IMPACT ON ARIZONA ELECTIONS IN FALL?

>> I COULDN'T EVEN HAZARD A GUESS ON THAT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYONE CAN SAY WITH ANY CERTAINTY ANYWHERE HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THINGS.

WE'LL GO TO FIVE.

TED: LAURIE?

>> NEGLIGIBLE EFFECT BUT IT'S GOING TO TURN UP THE HEAT ON BOTH SIDES.

GOING TO BE A BLOODIER, NASTIER YEAR.

TED: INTERESTING, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> NUMBER ONE IN AFFECTING THE RACE.

SO LOW DOWN, LOW ON THE MARGINS.

TED: LAURIE, TOM HORNE, EDUCATION CHIEF, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ORDERED TO PAY A LOT OF LEGAL FEES BECAUSE OF THE DUAL LANGUAGE THING.

>> HE GOT INTO OFFICE IN 2021, HE TOOK OFFICE IN 2021, BY THEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR AT THE TIME, HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT OUR ENGLISH ONLY LAW, THE LAW THAT VOTERS PASSED, WHAT WAS THAT IN 2000, WHICH REQUIRED ALL INSTRUCTION OF NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING STUDENTS TO BE IN ENGLISH.

THEY FOUND OUT OVER TIME, NOT ONLY IN ARIZONA BUT OTHER STATES THAT DID THE SAME THING THAT IT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT LEARNING ENGLISH FAST ENOUGH TO BE PROFICIENT TO GET OUT OF THERE AND INTO A REGULAR CLASSROOM, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE NOT LEARNING MATH AND SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T THE TEACHER.

SO THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZED, AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CAME UP WITH DIFFERENT MODELS AND ONE OF THE MODELS IS THIS IS DUAL LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION.

WE'RE GOING TO SPEND HALF THE DAY TEACHING YOU IN ENGLISH TO LEARN ENGLISH AND THE OTHER HALF OF THE DAY TEACH YOU IN SPANISH OR WHATEVER NATIVE LANGUAGE IS, I GUESS PROBABLY SPANISH, SO YOU CAN LEARN MATH AND THOSE THINGS AND DON'T FALL BEHIND IN THINGS.

WELL, THE ORIGINAL 2000 LAW, TRUMP -- BACK TO TRUMP.

HORNE HAD A BIG PROBLEM PUTTING TOGETHER.

WHEN HE CAME BACK INTO OFFICE, HE WAS OUTRAGED THEY WERE IN HIS VIEW, VIOLATING THE LAW.

THEY TRIED TO THREATEN THE SCHOOLS'S MONEY AND WAS TOLD YOU DON'T HAVE STANDING, YOU CAN'T DEFUND ANYTHING AND TRIED TO SUE THE SCHOOLS AND THE JUDGE SAID YOU DON'T HAVE STANDING FOR THAT THIS WEEK, AND POPPED HIM FOR 120,000?

WHO'S GOING TO PAY THAT?

WE'RE GOING TO PAY THAT.

>> FIRST OF ALL, HIS ARGUMENT WAS, AND THERE'S A PLAUSIBLE ARGUMENT TO BE MADE.

THE 2019 LAW CANNOT TRUMP THE 2000 VOTER APPROVED MEASURE.

WE'LL GET INTO THAT AT A FUTURE DATE WITH LAWYERS, BUT HE ALSO SUED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO DARED TO OPINE AND TOLD THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, DON'T WORRY ABOUT HORNE, HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING, AND SUED THE GOVERNOR WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNOR TO ENSURE THE LAWS ARE ENFORCED AND THE JUDGE SAID, DUMMY, WHAT PART OF THIS DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

YOU'RE GOING TO PAY ALL OF THEIR LEGAL FEES ON THIS.

REMEMBER, THIS ISN'T THE END.

HE GOT A PARENT, WHO DOESN'T LIVE IN THE CREIGHTON DISTRICT TO SUE THE CREIGHTON DISTRICT FOR DOING THIS, AND SET IT UP NOT ONLY IS HIS DEPARTMENT HELPING WITH THE CASE BUT HIS WIFE IS REPRESENTING THIS PARENT THAT WILL TRY TO GET THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS OUSTED.

TED: GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THEIR LEGAL FEES, YOU GOT TO PAY THEM, TOM HORNE.

HOW IS HE RESPONDING TO THIS?

>> DEFIANTLY.

TED: YEAH, AS HE HAS BEEN THE WHOLE TIME ON THIS ISSUE.

>> IT'S AN ISSUE HE HAS IN A LOT OF WAYS, HIS POLITICAL CAREER HAS BEEN IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER AROUND THIS ENGLISH-ONLY ISSUE, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR HIM, HE SEEING THIS AS A HILL TO DIE ON, AND I WOULD IMAGINE HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE FIGHTING IT AND CONTINUE GOING FORWARD ON IT.

TED: WHERE DOES IT GO FROM HERE, LAURIE?

>> HE'S APPEALING.

I'M SURE HE'LL APPEAL THE RULING ON LEGAL FEES AS WELL.

HE'S GOT, AS HOWIE SAID, HIS WIFE DOING ANOTHER THING.

HE CONTENDS HE IS RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR MEANING DUCEY IN THIS CASE WAS WRONG, THE LEGISLATURE WAS WRONG, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS WRONG, THE JUDGE IS, OF COURSE WRONG, EVERYBODY IS WRONG BUT HIM, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT NUMBERS, EVERY OTHER STATE THAT HAD THESE ENGLISH-ONLY LAWS REPEALED THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T WORK, AND THESE KIDS ARE SUFFERING ACADEMICALLY AS A RESULT OF IT.

TED: OPTICS, HOWIE OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SPENDING SO MUCH TIME SUING EDUCATION FACILITIES IN ARIZONA?

>> LET ME COME BACK TO OUR FIRST TOPIC.

THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE TOM HORNE, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONVINCED THAT THE LIBERALS ARE CATERING TO IMMIGRANTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE ARE BAD PEOPLE.

TOM HORNE IS BUILDING UP HIS BASE WITH THIS.

THIS IS HIS RED MEAT ISSUE, SAYING OTHER THINGS ARE RED MEAT ISSUE WITH TRUMP.

THIS DOESN'T HURT HIM AT ALL.

THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT BILINGUAL EDUCATION, DUAL LANGUAGE IS BAD, WILL SAY GO TOM.

TED: THE ATTORNEY IS FACING $200,000 IN SANCTIONS?

>> HE AND HIS ATTORNEYS.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY ABE HAMADEH LAWSUITS THERE ARE.

THERE'S A SEPARATE ONE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT WHICH COMES BACK TO ORIGINAL CHALLENGE OF THE ELECTION, THAT'S STILL OUT THERE.

THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE CHALLENGES.

ONE WAS HE FILED A CASE CALLED A QUOTE WARRANTO CASE.

THAT IS A CASE HELD ILLEGALLY.

THE JUDGE SAID THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN FILE THAT IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, KRIS MAYES WASN'T GOING TO FILE IT, OR THE PERSON LEGALLY ENTITLED TO THE OFFICE.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO THE OFFICE?

THE OTHER CASE IS BROUGHT BY A GUY NAMED DAVID MAST AND TOM CROSBY, THE LATTER IS THE COCHISE COUNTY SUPERVISOR WHO ARGUE THE RACE SHOULD BE RERUN BECAUSE MARICOPA COUNTY COUNTED EARLY BALLOTS WHERE THEY CLAIM THEY HAD NOT VERIFIED THE SIGNATURES.

THE JUDGE SAID FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE NO EVIDENCE, AND SECOND OF ALL, THIS SAME CLAIM HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN OTHER CASES AND ANY ATTORNEY, AND THIS IS A SLAP AT HIS ATTORNEY SAYING ANY ATTORNEY WOULD HAVE RESEARCHED THAT AND KNOWN YOU DON'T GET A THIRD OR FOURTH BITE AT THE APPLE.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY, THE REASON FOR THE SANCTIONS IS WE'VE BEEN DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE.

>> THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THEY AREN'T BEING ARGUED IN GOOD FAITH AND DELETERIOUS AND DESIGNED IN WAYS TO WASTE TIME.

>> IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO GET IN THE HEADLINES, TO MAKE YOUR POINT I'M FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR DONALD TRUMP.

THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT HAMADEH IS HE'S THE TRUMP-ENDORSED CANDIDATE IN THAT PARTICULAR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN NORTHWEST VALLEY, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF POLLING BUT ALL THE POLLS I'VE SEEN IS DOWN AND, OF COURSE, BLAKE MASTERS HAS COME AFTER HIM IN A BIG WAY, IN A FEROCIOUS WAY, BUT IT'S WORKING.

THIS IS THE ONE CASE WHERE DONALD TRUMP IS TO BE BELIEVED ABOUT EVERYTHING, BUT HE ENDORSES THIS GUY AND IT'S LIKE, NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT.

TED: IT'S INTERESTING THAT THOSE LATEST POLL NUMBERS SHOW THAT THE TRUMP CANDIDATE WAS NOT DOING THAT WELL OUT THERE.

>> YEAH, LOOK, THE FACT IS THAT HAMADEH, THIS IS THE ONE CASE I DON'T THINK ALL PUBLICITY IS GOOD PUBLICITY.

I THINK BEING IN THE PAPER ONCE A WEEK, ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS FOR HAVING LOST YET ANOTHER LAWSUIT.

REMEMBER WHAT TRUMP SAID ABOUT LOSERS?

THAT'S THE ISSUE.

TED: LAURIE, THE HOUSE, WE HAVE AN AD HOC COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE OVERSIGHT, AND THEY'VE DECIDED IT'S TIME TO IMPEACH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> YEAH, THAT WAS A TOTAL SHOCK TO ME.

THIS COMMITTEE THAT IS BASICALLY ALL REPUBLICANS, ALL MAGA REPUBLICANS FROM THE -- I MEAN, THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THIS COMMITTEE IS REPRESENTATIVE AUSTIN SMITH, ISN'T IT?

SMITH RAN, RAN FOR THE HILLS, WITHDREW HIS RE-ELECTION BID BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO DEFEND AGAINST CHARGES, OR ACCUSATIONS I SHOULD SAY, HE FORGED SIGNATURES.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GUYS DECIDING WHAT THE HIGH MORAL GROUND IS AT THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE.

THAT COMMITTEE IN TYPICAL FASHION DECIDED, YES, HE IS GUILTY OF MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDING THAT SPEAKER TOMA BRING IT TO A VOTE TO DECIDE TO IMPEACH HER.

YOU CAN IMPEACH HER ALL YOU WANT, BUT THERE ARE NOT THE VOTES IN THE SENATE TO CONVICT HER OF ANYTHING.

SHE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

TED: ARE THEY GOING TO IMPEACH HER ALL THEY WANT?

.

>> DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THAT'S UNCLEAR RIGHT NOW.

THEY MADE THE REQUEST THAT SAID ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT SHOULD BE DRAWN UP AND SUBMITTED A LENGTHY REPORT ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THEY FOUND IN THEIR INVESTIGATION, A LOT OF WHICH CENTERS ON EITHER POLICY DECISIONS SHE'S MADE THAT THEY DON'T LIKE, DECISIONS ON DEFENDING STATE LAWS, AND REFUSAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMITTEE WHICH THEY ALSO DON'T LIKE.

THEY WANTED TO PUBLICLY FLOG HER.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS NOT IN THERE IS THE FACT SHE INDICTED TWO OF THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE AS PART OF THE FAKE ELECTORS SCHEME.

THOSE TWO ARE VERY VOCAL ABOUT IT, THEY ARE SALIVATING TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

TED: ISN'T THAT PART OF ABUSING THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO ATTACK OPPONENTS?

>> IT WASN'T IN THERE.

I THINK IT CAME TOO LATE.

THEY WERE FAR DOWN THE ROAD.

THEY LIKED THE IDEA.

FOR EXAMPLE, SHE ISSUED A CONSUMER FRAUD ALERT ABOUT CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS.

THESE ARE GENERALLY OPERATED AS ANTIABORTION GROUPS TO CONVINCE PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR BABIES.

SHE SENT OUT ALERT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS NECESSARY TO GET ALERT, YOU CAN'T GET AN ABORTION THERE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET FAMILY PLANNING THERE, BE AWARE OF THAT.

UNHAPPY FOR NOT DEFENDING THIS LAW THAT SAYS BIOLOGICAL BOYS CAN'T PARTICIPATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

SHE SAID I DISAGREE WITH IT.

FEEL FREE TO DEFEND IT YOURSELF, YOU GOT MY PERMISSION, AND UNHAPPY WITH HER OVER THE FACT SHE SAID, LOOK, THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T DONE SQUAT WITH RURAL WATER ISSUES.

THEY'VE BEEN WRESTLING WITH IT TO KEEP THE SAUDI FARMERS FROM DRAINING THE AQUIFER DRY, SHE SAID OKAY, THERE'S A LAW CALLED A NUISANCE LAW, IF YOU DO SOMETHING ON YOUR PROPERTY THAT AFFECTS YOUR NEIGHBOR, THEY CAN SUE FOR A NUISANCE, SHE'S EXPLORING THE NUISANCE LAWS WHICH MADE EVERYONE'S HEAD EXPLODE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

TED: ANYTHING THE HOUSE CAN DO SHORT OF IMPEACHMENT.

BUDGET PROCESS, THESE SORTS OF THINGS TO GO AFTER HER?

>> SURE, THEY COULD ABSOLUTELY GO AFTER HER IN THE BUDGET.

WE'VE SEEN THAT IN THE PAST WITH REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE GOING AFTER HER.

THEY WENT AFTER KATIE HOBBS AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

DEFUNDED THINGS SHE HAD BEEN ASKING FOR, THAT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO DO THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE'S A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

I THINK THE CHECK AND BALANCE THAT EXISTS THERE DOESN'T EXIST IN QUITE THE SAME WAY.

>> WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER IS THE GOVERNOR HAS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS NO CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS THE DUTIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE SAYS, DEFEND STATE AGENCIES, CONSUMER FRAUD.

YOU HAVE THE BACKSTOP OF THE GOVERNOR, BUT THE LEGISLATURE COULD SIMPLY SAY THERE IS AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, SIT IN YOUR OFFICE, BE GOOD, AND WE'RE GOING TO FARM OUT ALL OF YOUR CHORES.

THEY DO HAVE SOME AUTHORITY.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL GET THAT FAR, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE ON HOUSE SPEAKER BEN TOMA FORCING THEM PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR THIS.

TED: I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT MODERATE REPUBLICANS IN SWING DISTRICTS?

>> PEOPLE WOULD SAY YEAH, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVES TO REGULATE WATER.

GOOD TO DECIDE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF A CULTURE WAR.

TED: A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT HERE.

WE HAVE A PRESS EVENT, SAVE OUR SCHOOLS WANT REFORM, THE ESA PROGRAM, HOW LIKELY IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO CHANGE THE ESA PROGRAM OR ADD ADDITIONAL REFORMS SO YOU CAN'T BUY KAYAKS AND GOLF CLUBS WITH YOUR STATE MONEY, AND THAT IS TO CHANGE THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT PEOPLE IN THERE WHO ARE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA THAT EVEN IF YOU LIKE THESE VOUCHERS, IT'S A RUNAWAY PROGRAM AND WE NEED TO HAVE SOME PROPER OVERSIGHT OF IT SO WE KNOW OUR MONEY IS SPENT IN THE CORRECT WAY.

YOU GOT TO CHANGE THE LEGISLATURE AND IN MY OPINION, STEP TWO IS YOU'VE GOT TO GO FOR THAT MAKE ELECTIONS FAIR INITIATIVE THAT WILL BE, PERHAPS WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, AND THAT BASICALLY GETS RID OF OUR SYSTEM OF PARTISAN PRIMARIES TO CHANGE IT INTO A PRIMARY MORE LIKE CITIES HAVE OF ONE PRIMARY AND THEN TOP PEOPLE GO ON.

THAT WOULD TEND TO BRING US IN THEORY MORE MODERATE NOMINEES.

TED: SO SHORT OF THE TWO EARTHQUAKES THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN HERE?

>> NO, NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE.

ANY POTENTIAL REFORMS FOR THE ESA SYSTEM OR GUARDRAILS OR ANYTHING ARE DEAD ON ARRIVAL WITH THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

>> IT COMES BACK TO THE POINT, BEN TOMA MADE THIS -- HE SAID I HAVE A LINE IN THE SAND.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SOMEHOW WE END UP WITH, LET'S SAY A 30-30 HOUSE AND YOU HAVE POWER SHARING, NOW YOU'VE GOT TO NEGOTIATE, AND PARTICULARLY SINCE WE KNOW THE BUDGET IS IN SUCH A STATE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET SINCE FY27 BECAUSE OF THE FACT OF THE CUTS WE MADE A LITTLE BIT PROBABLY RELATED TO ESAs, RETAIL SALES ARE DOWN.

THEY HAVE TO DECIDE HOW MUCH DO WE CUT AND HOW MUCH TO GET INTO POLICY.

>> I WONDER IF IT'S LIKE FUELS, NOT UNTIL IT'S COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL ARE THEY GOING TO IMPOSE ANY KIND OF LIMITS.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY, EVEN THE DEMOCRATS, THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE THIS PROGRAM OF VOUCHERS.

IT'S TOO POPULAR WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE AND ALL THE RICH PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE TUITION MONEY PAID FOR BY THE REST OF US.

THAT'S NOT GOING AWAY.

THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO REGULATE THE SPENDING GOING ON?

RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT.

>> THAT WAS $100 MILLION BOONDOGGLE.

THIS WAS $700 MILLION.

YOU ARE PUSHING A BILLION DOLLARS BY THE TIME THE YEAR IS OVER.

TED: THAT'S GOING TO WRAP IT UP.

PANEL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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