>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

ANOTHER DRAMATIC WEEK IN AMERICAN POLITICS, ONE THAT WILL HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS INTO ALABAMA AS NOVEMBER'S ELECTION NEARS.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY THAT HE WILL END HIS BID FOR REELECTION, STEPPING ASIDE TO ENDORSE VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AS THE LIKELY DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.

THIS CAME AFTER WEEKS OF THE PARTY'S TOP LEADERS URGING BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE DUE TO HIS PRECIPITOUS SLIDE IN THE POLLS FOLLOWING HIS DEBATE PERFORMANCE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

HERE IN ALABAMA, DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE UNITING AROUND HARRIS AS THE NEW NOMINEE.

THE STATE'S DELEGATION TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION VOTED THIS WEEK TO ENDORSE HARRIS AND PLEDGED THEIR DELEGATE VOTES FOR HER.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH ONE LEADING DEMOCRAT, STATE SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM.

HE SAID HE THINKS HARRIS CAN RE-ENERGIZE DEMOCRATS WHO HAD BEEN REELING FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

HE ALSO DISMISSED CONCERNS RAISED BY SOME REPUBLICANS THAT THE TICKET SWITCH WAS UNDEMOCRATIC.

>> THE MEMO WE HAD TO RACE WITH THE SENATOR OF AUBURN, YOU REMEMBER, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HEARD THAT ISSUE.

THEY VOTED AND DECIDE WHICH ONE THEY THOUGHT WAS SUCCESSFUL AND WHO WAS GOING TO R GOING TO BE THE NOMINEE.

WE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BECAUSE IT'S A POLITICAL THING WITHIN THEIR PARTY.

THAT'S THE SAME THING WITH DEMOCRATS, WITH US HERE, THAT'S WITH OUR PARTY.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THOSE SUITS BECAUSE, IN THE END, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A POLITICAL QUESTION FOR THAT PARTICULAR PARTY.

I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND SHE DRAWS TO A BROADER SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE, AND AMERICA IS A COMBINATION OF A VARIETY OF PEOPLE.

WE ARE A MELTING POT, AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE BROAD ENOUGH TO HAVE YOUR UMBRELLA LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO BRING ALL THOSE PEOPLE UNDER IT AS A COUNTRY, AND I THINK THAT HER UMBRELLA IS A LOT BROADER, AND I THINK THAT, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT SO MANY OF THESE ISSUES AS RELATES TO LADIES AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FEEL ABOUT THEIR ISSUES, AND I THINK THAT THE ISSUES KIND OF LINE UP THAT I THINK THE RESOLUTIONS TO THOSE ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> THE CHANGE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET COULD IMPACT THE COMPETITIVE RACE FOR ALABAMA'S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I'LL SIT DOWN WITH BOTH CANDIDATES - REPUBLICAN CAROLEENE DOBSON AND DEMOCRAT SHOMARI FIGURES - LATER IN THE SHOW.

A GROUP OF STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS CAME TOGETHER THIS WEEK TO FORM A COALITION TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SECRETARY HAL TAYLOR, AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF DERRICK CUNNINGHAM WERE AMONG THOSE ADDRESSING THE MEDIA TO ANNOUNCE THE WORK OF THE METRO AREA CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT.

COMBINING RESOURCES AND WORKING WITH THE U.S. BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES THE UNIT HAS ARRESTED NEARLY 50 PEOPLE AND MADE OVER 400 TRAFFIC STOPS IN JUST THE LAST 12 DAYS.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE HAVE THIS PRESS CONFERENCE IN THIS ROOM IN THIS PLACE BECAUSE THIS IS OUR CAPITOL AND THIS IS THE CAPITAL CITY.

AND, AS MONTGOMERY GOES, PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND EVEN IF OUR STATE VIEWS HOW ALABAMA GOES.

AS ALABAMIANS, WE DO NOT TOLERATE VIOLENT CRIME, AND THAT IS A MANTRA THAT HAS TO BE ADOPTED BY THE CITY.

BECAUSE IF WE WANT ALABAMA'S ECONOMY TO THRIVE, THEN PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE IN CITIES IN WHICH THEY FEEL SAFE, PERIOD, AND WE HAVE TO GET THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PIECE RIGHT, OR ELSE NOTHING ELSE IS GOING TO FOLLOW.

>> WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS START BUILDING -- WE'VE GOT TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP, WE NEED TO BUILD TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE NEED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AND KNOW THAT WE'RE OUT THERE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND TRAY TO GET EVERYBODY BELIEVING IN US AND KNOWING THAT WE WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> THIS MESSAGE IS FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT THINK THEY CAN DISRUPT OUR WAY OF LIVING, DISRUPTS OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY, DISRUPT THESE FAMILIES IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THESE COMMUNITIES, THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU.

THIS MESSAGE IS THAT WE DIDN'T GET YOU THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU THE NEXT TIME.

SO WHAT THE MESSAGE WE'RE SENDING IS THAT WE HEAR THE CALLS, WE HEAR THE COMPLAINTS, AND WE'RE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL WAS IN HALE COUNTY THIS WEEK ANNOUNCING A NEW $1 MILLION GRANT FOR THE HALE COUNTY HOSPITAL.

THE FUNDING WILL GO TOWARD EXPANDING THE HOSPITAL'S CAPACITY TO PROVIDE CARE TO RESIDENTS IN THE RURAL AREA.

IT'S PART OF $13 MILLION SEWELL HAS SECURED FOR LOCAL PROJECTS THIS YEAR.

>> I AM THRILLED TO REPORT THAT, IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET, WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE $13.1 MILLION FOR LOCAL PROJECTS RIGHT IN OUR DISTRICT.

THIS FUNDING RESPONDS DIRECTLY TO SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WILL HELP REVERSE DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT.

IT IS IMPORTANT -- MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE INVEST IN THE HOSPITALS THAT WE HAVE.

SINCE COMING TO CONGRESS, I'VE MADE IT A TOP PRIORITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE IN RURAL ALABAMA.

THAT IS WHY I AM SO THRILLED TODAY TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS CHECK FOR $1 MILLION.

THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL FUNDING WILL BE USED TO EXPAND THE HOSPITALS' CAPACITY TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE TO THE RESIDENTS OF GREENSBORO, HALE COUNTY AND THE BLACK BELT.

I ALWAYS SAY OUR FUNDING, WHAT WE CHOOSE TO SPEND OUR MONEY ON, IS A REFLECTION OF OUR VALUES, AND I VALUE THE HARD-WORKING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS THAT WORK ON BEHALF OF MY CONSTITUENTS EVERY DAY.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING $20.4 MILLION TO FIGHT WHAT'S KNOWN AS LEGACY POLLUTION IN ALABAMA, RECLAIMING AND REPURPOSING OLD MINES.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> THE DOCTOR CERTIFICATION AS THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND MINERALS MANAGEMENT FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

HE'S IN ALABAMA TODAY, BEARING GIFTS.

>> THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION'S INVESTING IN THE AMERICAN AGENDA INCLUDES $11.23 MILLION IN ABANDONED MINE LAND RECLAMATIONS.

THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA ARE CREATING GOOD PAYING JOBS, FOSTERING NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SO MANY AMERICANS BY HELPING TO CLEAN UP HAZARDOUS SITES AND POLLUTION LEFT BEHIND FROM HISTORIC COAL MINING.

>> COAL MINUS ONCE COVERED A GOOD PART OF THE STATE.

NOW LEFTOVER POLLUTION SUCH AS DIRT AND MACHINERY WILL BE REMOVED, FIGHTING WASTE AND LAND DAMAGE.

>> I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION IS INVESTING ANOTHER $24 MILLION FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO CREATE FOR JOBS AND TACKLE MORE OF THESE SITES.

>> THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO CONTINUE A PROGRAM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STARTED DECADES AGO BY CLEANING UP AND REPURPOSING AREAS NEAR WHERE MINING OPERATIONS TOOK PLACE AND SHOOTING A REVENUE BOOST TO THE ARM OF ALABAMA AS WELL AS BRINGING IN MORE JOBS.

OFFICIALS WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EXPLAINED THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM.

>> I AM PROUD OF THE WORK BEING DONE BY OUR A.M.L.

PROGRAM.

DESPITE BEING A RELATIVELY SMALL PROGRAM, ALABAMA A.M.L.

IS BIG ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

THIS FUNDING WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE ALABAMA A.M.L.

PROGRAM CAN CONTINUE ITS MISSION OF RESTORING ALABAMA'S LANDS AND WATERS TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> INCLUDING THOSE NEW JOBS.

>> THE JOBS THAT ARE CREATED THROUGH THIS FUNDING ARE BOTH DIRECT AND INDIRECT.

THE DIRECT JOBS ARE THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS THAT ACTUALLY COMPLETE THIS WORK AND ABATE THESE HAZARDS.

THE INDIRECT JOBS GO INTO ALL THE BUSINESSES AND THE RESTAURANTS THAT FEED THE WORKERS THAT ARE WORKING IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND THE COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE THE MATERIALS THAT WE UTILIZE INCLUDING AGGREGATE MATERIALS AND EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROLS.

>> IN BIRMINGHAM, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK, FAMILIES OF THOSE INCARCERATED IN ALABAMA PRISONS GATHERED FOR A LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT MEETING.

THEY TOLD LAWMAKERS HARROWING STORIES OF VIOLENCE TOWARD THEIR LOVED ONES, MANY THAT WERE DIFFICULT TO HEAR.

JEFF SANDERS HAS THAT STORY.

>> BEFORE A PACKED ROOM OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND ADVOCATES FOR INMATES IN ALABAMA'S PRISON SYSTEM, LAWMAKERS ON THE JOINT PRISON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HEARD EMOTIONAL AND SOMETIMES ANGRY TESTIMONY ON THE DANGERS PRISONERS FACE EVERY DAY.

>> DEANDRE CALLED HOME AND ASK WE SPEAK WITH SOMEONE IN CHARGE BECAUSE NO ONE CAME BACK THERE TO SEE HIM OR MOVE HIM.

AND, TWO HOURS LATER, WE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL THAT MY BROTHER WAS STABBED IN HIS HEAD AND IN HIS BACK AND THAT HE WAS LEFT OUTSIDE AND THAT INMATES HAD TO GET HIM AND BRING HIM INSIDE THE FACILITY.

>> I AM HAVING TROUBLE, HOWEVER, WITH THE FACT THAT SOMEONE COULD HURT SO BADLY AND JUST NOT RECEIVE CARE.

IT SEEMS INCREDIBLY UNFAIR THAT PEOPLE LIKE BRYAN, MANY WHO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS, ARE CONSTANTLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT THAT WAS ENTRUSTED WITH THEIR CARE WHEN THEY DIE GET OFF SCOT-FREE.

>> TIM MATTHEWS TOLD US ABOUT HIS SON CHACE WHO DID THAT THE ELMORE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN JUNE.

>> EXTORTION IS RAMPANT IN THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

I PAID OVER $3,000 IN MONEY THE MONTH OF APRIL TO HELP KEEP MY CHILD SAFE.

>> ALONG WITH EXTORTION, FAMILY MEMBERS TOLD LAWMAKERS PRISON STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING DRUGS INTO THE FACILITIES AND LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN INMATES TARGET OTHERS WITH VIOLENCE.

>> CHACE DID HAVE AN ADDICTION PROBLEM, BUT YOU CAN'T LOCK A DRUNK UP IN A LIQUOR STORE AND EXPECT HIM TO STAY SOBER, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE DOPE IS WORSE IN HERE THAN IT IS OUT ON THE ROAD.

>> BUT THE PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISIONS LACK BASIC CARE AND COMPASSION FOR HUMAN LIFE.

THERE IS CASE AFTER CASE OF INMATES ASKING TO BE REMOVED TO MORE SECURE DORMS OR PLACED IN LOCKUP FOR SAFETY REASONS AND THEY ARE BEING DENIED.

THERE ARE CASES WHERE STAFF IS DELIBERATELY PLACING INMATES IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY KNOW THEY WILL BE ASSAULTED AND EXTORTED SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE UPSET FOR WHATEVER REASON.

>> IN RESPONSE LAWMAKERS INCLUDING DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATOR CHRIS ENGLAND SAID THEY KNOW CHANGE IS NOT HAPPENING FAST ENOUGH BUT IT IS HAPPENING.

>> WE'RE SEEING PROGRESS BECAUSE OF Y'ALL.

SO -- AND I KNOW I SEE A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES IN THIS ROOM.

I WANT YOU LOOK AROUND AND SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IT OR FUSSING ABOUT IT.

THERE'S LEGISLATION BEING INTRODUCED ABOUT IT, AND I'M TELLING YOU WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> THE PRISON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED TO MEET AGAIN THIS FALL.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M JEFF SANDERS REPORTING.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT CAROLEENE DOBSON.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> WE HAD Y'ALL IN THE PRIMARY RUNOFF.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND NOW WE'RE IN THE GENERAL.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> BIG ELECTION.

THIS IS A NATION-WIDE, NATIONALLY-WATCHED CAMPAIGN.

SO LOTS TO GET TO.

BUT HOW'S THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL GOING RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL.

TODAY EARLIER TODAY I WAS IN RUSSELL COUNTY AND, AGAIN, I CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED AND INSPIRED BY ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE WE HAVE HERE IN DISTRICT TWO, THE OPPORTUNITIES, THE WIDE VARIETY OF BUSINESSES AND NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE IN THIS DISTRICT.

SO WE'VE HAD A LOT OF MOMENTUM.

WE'VE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL SECOND QUARTER.

ACTUALLY, WE WERE ONE OF TWO REPUBLICAN NON-INCUMBENTS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY TO OUTRAISE OUR DEMOCRATIC OPPONENTS, SO VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT, AND JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THE MOMENTUM AND CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT I'M RUNNING TO FIGHT FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES, TO FIGHT FOR A SAFER WORLD, A STRONGER ECONOMY, MORE OPPORTUNITIES, AND MORE OF WHAT WE IN ALABAMA ARE MADE OF, AND THAT'S THE VALUES OF HARD WORK, HUMILITY, FAITH, REALLY ENSURING THAT OUR KIDS CAN GROW UP IN A WORLD WHERE HARD WORK IS REWARDED, WHERE THEY DO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, AND WHERE THEY CAN GO HOME AT NIGHT TO SAFE COMMUNITIES.

>> YEAH, WE REPORTED ON SOME OF THE FUNDRAISING NUMBERS.

IT WAS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE PART OF THE FUNDRAISING GAME IS IT'S A SHOW OF SUPPORT.

>> MM-HMM.

>> AND THAT'S A SHOW OF, YOU KNOW, FOLKS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE STATE BELIEVE YOU CAN WIN, AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DISTRICT.

KIND OF ON THAT VEIN, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DESCRIBED YOUR RACE AS AN UPHILL BATTLE IN TERMS OF HOW THE DISTRICT WAS DRAWN AND WHY AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

BUT I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU SEE IT BECAUSE YOU'RE RUNNING HARD AND, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU APPROACH THAT, CONSIDERING JUST THE BARE NUMBERS?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I MEAN, YOU LOOK AT THE MARCH 5 PRIMARY, THERE WAS A 161-VOTE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS THAT SHOWED UP TO VOTE.

THAT SHOWS YOU THIS DISTRICT IS VERY MUCH IN PLAY.

AS WE DON'T TO GO THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, I THINK OUR MESSAGE REALLY RESONATES.

WHAT I HEAR FROM VOTERS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WHERE RURAL, URBAN, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, IS THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISE IN CRIME AND THE INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE, THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES, HOW HARD IT IS TO RUN A SMALL BUSINESS, HOW HARD IT IS TO PAY FOR GROCERIES, TO PUT GAS IN YOUR CAR.

AND, SO, AGAIN, I THINK THOSE ISSUES ARE AFFECTING ALL OF US, REGARDLESS OF WHAT PARTY WE CLAIM TO BE PART OF, AND THAT'S WHERE THE REAL OPPORTUNITY IS HERE BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO HAVE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP TO FIX THOSE PROBLEMS.

YOU KNOW, OUR OPEN BORDER IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE CRIME AND THE DRUGS.

1300 ALABAMIANS DIED IN 2022 FROM FENTANYL OVERDOSES, MUCH OF IT MANUFACTURED IN CHINA AND TRANSMITTED TO THIS COUNTRY ACROSS OUR OPEN SOUTHERN BORDER.

THAT'S A POLICY OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED BY BORDERS ARE HARRIS.

WE LOOK AT THE ECONOMY INFLATION, SINCE BIDEN'S BEEN IN OFFICE, 21% INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF GROCERIES, 38% INCREASE IN ENERGY COSTS.

ONE WAY WE CAN CUT DOWN ON INFLATION IS TO BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT AGAIN, OR EVEN, AS SENATOR BRITT SAID IN HER ADDRESS AT THE RNC LAST WEEK, TO BECOME ENERGY DOMINANT.

WE HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE ABILITY TO DO IT, BUT WE CAN'T HAVE IT WHEN WE HAVE A DEMOCRAT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, A DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED HOUSE THAT CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT SOMETIME WHERE THE GROWTH OF AMERICAN ENERGY.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOUR APPROACH IS AGGRESSIVE ON THE ISSUES.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DEVELOPMENTS NATIONALLY THAT ARE GOING TO IMPACT YOUR RACE.

I WANT TO GET TO BOTH OF THE BIG ONES, BUT LET'S START WITH THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.

OBVIOUSLY, NOBODY WANTED THAT TO HAPPEN.

IT WAS A SHOCK, IT WAS A REALLY SAD MOMENT FOR THE COUNTRY.

AND THERE IN MILWAUKEE, JUST DAYS LATER, KIND OF A SOLEMN TIME, ALMOST CHILLING.

SO, OF COURSE, THAT'S IN THE WAKE OF THE DEBATE AND BIDEN'S POLL NUMBERS AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT MAYBE IMPACTED YOUR RACE AND OTHER MAYBE DOWN-BALLOT RACES.

DID THAT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT MAYBE GALVANIZE REPUBLICANS ANY?

>> I THINK CERTAINLY.

YOU WERE AT THE CONVENTION LAST WEEK, HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO AN ALTERNATE DELEGATE, AND YOU AND I SAW THE SENSE OF UNITY.

REPUBLICANS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON BEING FREE THINKERS AND INDEPENDENT MINDED AND THAT MEANS THERE'S A WIDE RANGE OF REPUBLICAN THOUGHT ON DIFFERENT ISSUES, ON FOREIGN POLICY AND DOMESTIC POLICY AND SOMETIMES LEADS TO INFIGHTING.

AS A REPUBLICAN, IT CAN BE FRUSTRATING TO SEE REPUBLICANS ENGAGING IN THIS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF INTERNAL BICKERING.

>> IT WAS KIND OF THAT WAY IN CLEVELAND EIGHT YEARS AGO.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT, EXACTLY.

BUT I THINK THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT COMBINED WITH JUST THE WEAK LEADERSHIP THAT WE'VE SEEN HAS REALLY CREATED A SENSE OF UNITY AND PURPOSE.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND RECOGNIZE WHAT UNITES US AND THAT IS TRYING TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY AND MAKING OUR COUNTRY STRONGER, MAKING IT, ONCE AGAIN, A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY.

AGAIN, I THINK, ALSO, A LOT OF TRUMP NAYSAYERS PRIOR TO THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, SOMETIMES THEY GOT DISTRACTED BE I THE NOISE OF TRUMP, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL MEDIA TWEETS, AND WHAT IF THERE WAS REALLY A CRISIS, HOW WOULD HE RESPOND?

HE SHOWED THE WORLD HOW HE WOULD RESPOND IN CRISIS, HE GOT SHOT IN THE HEAD AND IMMEDIATELY CAME BACK UP AND SHOWED PEOPLE HOW COURAGEOUS HE WAS.

HE WAS COOL, LEVEL-HEADED, AND, SO, I THINK THAT DEMONSTRATED NOT ONLY TO AMERICANS BUT TO THE WORLD HOW HE WOULD ACT IN A TRUE TIME OF CRISIS, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, IS WHERE WE'RE HEADED WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RISE OF CHINA, IRAN, RUSSIA.

THERE ARE POWER PLAYERS THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE MOVES AND WE NEED ONCE AGAIN A STRONG LEADER.

WE CAN ONLY HAVE PEACE WHEN WE DETER, AND WE CAN ONLY DETER WHEN WE'RE STRONG.

>> SO THAT WAS ONE HUGE, NATIONAL WORLD EVENT THAT COULD HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS.

THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WE HAD ANOTHER ONE AND THAT IS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DECIDING TO STEP ASIDE.

OBVIOUSLY, HE'S HAD A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM HIS PARTY BECAUSE THEY SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL, BUT MADE A DECISION, STEPPED ASIDE, GOT BEHIND KAMALA HARRIS.

CLEARLY THAT CHANGES THE NATIONAL RACE, AND WE WON'T REALLY KNOW EXACTLY HOW IN MANY WAYS, BUT, CERTAINLY, IT HAS RIPPLES DOWN-BALLOT BECAUSE I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT AND WE'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT HOW A WEAK PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE IS REALLY HELPFUL TO YOU, HELPFUL TO REPUBLICANS BECAUSE ANY KIND OF DEPRESSED DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT JUST HURTS -- YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THEY DO HAVE AS A MATTER OF FACT OF AN ADVANTAGE.

WELL, MAYBE WE WERE HEADED DOWN THAT ROAD BUT MAYBE NOT ANYMORE, AT LEAST THAT'S THEIR INTENTION.

HOW DOES THAT CHANGE?

HOW DOES VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, ASSUMING SHE GETS NOMINATED, LEADING THAT TICKET, ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL SHE WILL HELP MR.

FIGURES CLOSE THAT ENTHUSIASM GAP?

>> NO, BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT HER POPULARITY RATINGS AND THEY'RE THE LOWEST OF ANY VICE PRESIDENT IN RECORDED HISTORY.

AND WHETHER BIDEN OR HARRIS, WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT THE SAME ADMINISTRATION.

THE ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS PUSHED $2 TRILLION WORTH OF SPENDING SINCE BIDEN HAS BEEN IN OFFICE.

AGAIN, HARRIS IS THE BORDER CZAR AND HAS NOT BEEN TO THE BORDER, HAS NOT TALKED TO THE CURRENT BORDER PATROL CHIEF OR THE IMMEDIATE PRIOR PATROL CHIEF, EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS BEEN THE BORDER CZAR, I MEAN, THE RECKLESS OPEN BORDER POLICY REALLY LIES AT HER FEET.

SHE IS THE ARCHITECT OF THAT.

SHE CLAIMS SHE WOULD EXPAND BIDEN ECONOMICS AND AGAIN FURTHER THROW OUR COUNTRY INTO EVEN WORSE INFLATION AND SHE'S ALSO COMMITTED TO BANNING FRACKING WHICH, AGAIN, WOULD DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO BE NOT ONLY ENERGY INDEPENDENT BUT ENERGY DOMINANT AND WOULD HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON FURTHER INCREASING PRICES FOR THE AVERAGE AMERICAN.

YOU AND I KNOW GAS PRICES ARE UP AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT IT'S THE COST OF FERTILIZER, THE COST OF DIESEL THAT ARE ALSO DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FACT WE ARE NOT ENERGY INDEPENDENT.

THE COST TO GROW THINGS, MAKE THINGS, MOVE THING, THAT ALL IMPACTS WHAT WE PAY AT THE GROCERY STORE, WHAT WE PAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO BUY HOME REPAIR ITEMS, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING THAT WE CONSUME IS DEPENDENT ON ENERGY PRICES AND WHEN WE HAVE A CANDIDATE WHO'S, YOU KNOW, WHO'S CLAIMING TO WANT TO BAN FRACKING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, I THINK THAT'S AN EVEN WEAKER CANDIDATE THAN PRESIDENT BIDEN, WITHOUT EVEN ADDRESSING, YOU KNOW, HER TRULY TROUBLESOME FOREIGN POLICY STANCES.

>> MAYBE I'M JUST SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON TWITTER OR SOMETHING BUT THERE DOES SEEM TO BE A RENEWED ENTHUSIASM AMONG DEMOCRATS, MAYBE MORE THE ACTIVE, MORE OF THE BASE, BUT I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT, ARE REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TRYING TO BEAT BACK THAT ENTHUSIASM BY POINTING OUT POLICY THINGS THAT YOU THINK WOULD BE UNPOPULAR?

BECAUSE -- OR DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS KIND OF A FLASH IN THE PAN AND THAT ENTHUSIASM MIGHT STILL WANE WHEN PEOPLE GET TO KNOW HER?

DO YOU FIND THAT HAPPEN?

>> I FIND THIS IS REFERRED TO AS HARRIS HONEYMOON.

IT'S A CHANGE.

IT'S SOMETHING NEW, SOMEONE WHO CAN ANSWER A QUESTION WITHOUT STARING OFF INTO SPACE.

SO I THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO KIND OF RALLY BEHIND HER.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A TRUST ISSUE, TOO.

THE DEBATE WAS EXACTLY A MONTH AGO AND UP UNTIL THE DEBATE AND EVEN AFTERWARDS, SHE WAS ONE OF THE VOICES TELLING US THAT JOE BIDEN WAS CAPABLE AND COMPETENT AND FULLY READY TO SERVE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS WHEN THAT CLEARLY WASN'T THE CASE.

AND, SO, I THINK, IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE PROBLEMATIC POLICIES OF HARRIS, WHICH WILL BECOME VERY EVIDENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 100 DAYS, I THINK THERE'S ALSO THE ISSUE OF THE FACT THAT SHE WAS PART OF AN ADMINISTRATION THAT WAS TELLING US THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS ABLE-BODIED AND ABLE-MINDED, WHEN WE ALL SAW THE DEBATE, AND THOSE STATEMENTS WERE TRULY THROWN INTO QUESTION AS FURTHER EVIDENCED BY HIS DECIDING TO STEP ASIDE.

>> ONE THING I KEEP READING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT HARRIS COULD MAKE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET IS, YOU KNOW, EVEN BEFORE ALL THIS, WE KNEW THAT DEMOCRATS WANTED TO MAKE ABORTION AND JUST REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES IN GENERAL REALLY AT THE FOREFRONT BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE THERE NATIONWIDE AND ESPECIALLY IN SWING STATES.

SO DOES THAT WORRY YOU AT ALL?

BECAUSE THIS IS A SWING DISTRICT, A PURPLE DISTRICT, WHERE THOSE MIDDLE VOTERS DO MATTER.

ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT ABORTION AND THAT ISSUE KIND OF BECOMING EVEN MORE PROMINENT NOW THAT YOU'VE GOT A WOMAN AND POSSIBLY THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT, YOU KNOW, ENGAGED IN THE RACE AND WE KNOW SHE'S GOING TO BE ENGAGED ON THAT ISSUE?

>> YES, AND, FRANKLY, I THINK WE NEED TO BE TALKING MORE ABOUT HER POSITION ON ABORTION.

SHE HAS BEEN VERY OPEN ABOUT PROMOTING LATE-TERM ABORTIONS.

YOU KNOW, I'M PRO-LIFE AS WE'VE DISCUSSED BEFORE, BUT OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT ADDRESS ABORTION.

IT IS A MATTER OF STATES AS CONFIRMED BY THE DOBBS DECISION AND I BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH COMPASSION, COMMON SENSE AND CONSENSUS AND IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY STATE LEGISLATURES.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING IS ON WHAT KAMALA AND DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PUSHING IS LATE-TERM ABORTIONS.

IN 2019 YOU SEE THE BORN-ALIVE ACT WHICH JUST PROVIDED A BABY BORN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ANY REASON SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO NATAL CARE WHETHER A BOTCHED ABORTION OR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, AND ALL BUT TWO DEMOCRAT SENATORS VOTED AGAINST THAT BILL, AND SHE WAS ONE OF THEM THAT VOTED AGAINST THAT BILL.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY BE TALKING ABOUT HER RECORD ON ABORTION AND WHERE SHE STANDS THERE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S REFLECTIVE OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS, EVEN THOUGH WHO SAY THEY ARE PRO-CHOICE, ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF LATE-TERM ABORTIONS THAT SHE'S BEEN ADVOCATING FOR.

>> WHILE I'VE GOT YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT COULD BE BECAUSE, IF ELECTED -- LET'S JUST SAY YOU'RE ELECTED, LET'S SAY REPUBLICANS KEEP THE HOUSE AND TRUMP WINS THE PRESIDENCY, THAT'S THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO IN YOUR BOOK, WHAT COULD ACTUALLY BE ACCOMPLISHED?

WHAT THINGS DO YOU THINK COULD ACTUALLY BE FEASIBLE IN TERMS OF THE POLICIES THAT Y'ALL WANT TO PROMOTE, UNDERSTANDING IT WOULD STILL BE PRETTY CLOSE MARGINS OF MAJORITY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, AGAIN, AS I'VE MENTIONED A COUPLE OF TIMES ALREADY HERE, I THINK WE COULD DEFINITELY WORK TOWARDS BECOMING ENERGY DOMINANT AND ENERGY INDEPENDENT AGAIN, AND THAT MEANS UTILIZING NOT ONLY OUR NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES BUT OUR RENEWABLE SOURCES.

IT'S A COMBINATION, AND WE CAN BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT AND, AGAIN, IT'S A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY AS WELL AS A MATTER OF ECONOMY.

WHEN WE'RE NOT ENERGY INDEPENDENT, WE'RE ACTIVELY FUNDING BAD ACTORS LIKE VENEZUELA AND NATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO THAT WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THE PRICES YOU AND I ARE PAYING FOR GROCERIES.

ANOTHER THING THAT WE CAN DO ON THE CUSP OF THE VOTE FOR RIGHT DECISION IN THE SUPREME COURT THAT REJECTED CHEVRON IS SCALE BACK THE REGULATORY STATE.

REGULATIONS ARE KILLING SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THIS DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, THE NURSING HOME BUSINESS.

I'M SPEAKING TO THE HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION.

THE AVERAGE COST OF A NEW HOME, 27% OF THE AVERAGE COST OF A NEW HOME IS DIRECTLY RELATED JUST TO COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS, HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COST OF NEW MATERIAL.

TRUCKING INDUSTRY HEAVILY REGULATED.

SO I THINK WE CAN REALLY MAKE STRIDES IN CREATING A LITTLE BIT MORE FAIRNESS WHEN IT COMES TO THE OPERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

IN 2020, TRUMP ISSUED THE REGULATORY BILL OF RIGHTS WHICH JUST PROVIDED THERE ARE STANDARD RULES OF EVIDENCE, THAT THERE'S A FAIR BURDEN OF PROOF WHEN IT COMES TO AGENCY INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH IS A VICTORY FOR ALL AMERICANS REGARDLESS OF WHAT PARTY YOU ARE AFFILIATED WITH, AND BIDEN REVOKED THAT ORDER WITHIN 40 DAYS OF OFFICE BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS TOO BURDENSOME ON AGENCIES.

WE HAVE BEEN E WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THE BURDEN ON THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN AND SMALL BUSINESS, AND IF AN AGENCY COMES AFTER YOU SAYING YOU ALLEGEDLY VIOLATED THIS REGULATION, IT SHOULD BE ON THE AGENCY TO PROVE YOU HAVE VIOLATED THE REGULATION.

THE BURDEN SHOULDN'T BE ON THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER TO PROVE THAT THEY'RE INNOCENT.

>> I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHER ISSUES.

DO YOU HAVE A WEB SITE WHERE FOLKS CAN GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR PLATFORM.

>> YES, DOBSON FOR CONGRESS.COM.

>> SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE US SPELL CAROLEENE?

>> NO.

[LAUGHTER] >> I KNOW IT'S AN EXHAUSTING SLOG ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE TIME AND WE'LL SEE YOU AS THE MONTHS GO FORWARD.

>> SOUNDS GREAT, THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS IN ALABAMA'S SECOND DISTRICT SHOMARI FIGURES.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK.

>> YOU WERE ON IN THE PRIMARY RUNOFF.

HERE WE ARE IN A GENERAL.

GET A GENERAL UPDATE FROM YOU.

HOW'S THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

I ASSUME YOU'RE BURNING UP THE ROAD HERE IN THE SECOND DISTRICT.

WE ARE, TODD.

WE TRY TO HIT EVERY COUNTY AS OFTEN AND FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE AND PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, BEING STILL VERY MUCH RECEPTIVE AND WE'RE BEING VERY MUCH OPEN IN TERMS OF LISTENING TO VOTERS AND THE ISSUES THEY WANT US TO ADDRESS AND HOW WE CAN BEST INTEGRATE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTO HELPING THEM ADDRESS THE ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> THIS IS A BRAND-NEW DISTRICT AND PART OF IT WERE IN THE OLD SECOND DISTRICT AND PARTS OF IT NOT.

IS THERE ANY CONFUSION AMONGST THE VOTERS AROUND EDUCATING THEM ABOUT WHERE THEIR DISTRICT IS NOW AND WHO THEY WILL VOTE FOR, FOR CONGRESS IS THIS.

>> NO, I THINK WE HAD A MUCH GREATER CHALLENGE DURING THE PRIMARY SEASON, BUT I THINK PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT NOW KIND OF KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUBLICITY AROUND THE CREATION OF THIS DISTRICT, THE LITIGATION THAT GOT US TO THIS POINT IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT I THINK PEOPLE KNOW AND PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH EXCITED.

THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT FOR PEOPLE TO ELECT A DEMOCRAT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

SO, THAT RESONATED A LOT WITH PEOPLE AND REALLY GINNED UP A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

>> ON THAT NOTE, WHEN THIS DISTRICT WAS DRAWN, THE HISTORICAL DATA PRESENTED, I THINK IT SHOWED, LIKE, 15 OUT OF 17 HISTORICAL HYPOTHETICAL RACES WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE DEMOCRATS.

SO THAT'S WHAT LEAVES PEOPLE LIKE POLITICAL REPORT WITH AMY WALTER AN OTHERS TO LABEL THIS AS A LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PICK-UP.

SO NO PRESSURE, BUT I'M CURIOUS BECAUSE PEOPLE STILL HAVE TO VOTE.

THIS NEVER HAD BEFORE.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT CAMPAIGNING, MAYBE UNDERSTANDING THERE COULD BE A DEMOCRATIC ADVANTAGE, BUT HOW DO YOU MEAT THOSE EXPECTATIONS?

>> I GREW UP AN ATHLETE.

I PLAYED THE THREE BIG ONES DOWN SOUTH GROWING UP, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, GROWING UP, WON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL.

ONE THING I LEARNED IS YOU PLAY FROM BEHIND EVERY SECOND ON THE CLOCK.

YOU PLAY AS IF YOU ARE BEHIND, AND THAT'S HOW REPROACHED THE RACE THROUGH THE EXACT SAME LENS.

WE ARE RUNNING AS IF WE ARE LOSING BY TEN POINTS IN THE POLLS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT POLLING MAY SAY, WE'RE RUNNING, RUNNING HARD AND WINNING THE RACE.

WE'RE TAKING THE ISSUES TO THE PEOPLE.

PEOPLE CARE ABOUT SPECIFIC THINGS WE THINK WE CAN HELP WITH FROM HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO INCREASING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND BRINGING IN MORE JOBS AND A LOT MORE RESOURCES IN THE FORM OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO THIS DISTRICT, AND PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THAT.

WHEN WE TALK TO PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE FOCUSED ON AND THAT THE WHY WE'RE RUNNING THIS RACE TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

>> YOU MENTIONED TRYING TO RUN FROM BEHIND.

I THINK THAT'S PRETTY SMART IN TERMS OF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET TOO PROUD.

>> NO.

>> BUT BEFORE THE CHANGE ON THE TICKET, I WANT TO GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE, I THINK REPUBLICANS WERE PRETTY CONFIDENT BECAUSE YOU HAD THAT BIDEN DEBATE THAT WAS UNIVERSALLY CALLED A DEBACLE, YOU HAD HIM REALLY NOSE DIVING IN THE POLLS, YOU HAD WHAT WAS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A DRAG ON THE TICKET, THAT CAN AFFECT DOWN-BALLOT RACES.

WERE Y'ALL CONCERNED THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POSITION IN THE POLLS COULD HAVE HAD AN IMPACT IN TERMS OF VOTER ENTHUSIASM?

>> WE WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE TALKED TO VOTERS.

SOME PEOPLE TALK, YOU KNOW, THEY ONLY SPEAK ABOUT THE NATIONAL ISSUES AND WANT TO MAKE THIS RACE ABOUT NATIONAL ISSUES, WANT TO MAKE THIS RACE ABOUT JOE BIDEN, BUT VOTERS WANT WOMEN TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE HEALTHCARE DECISION OVER THEIR BODIES, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT, IMPROVING LIFE OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT AND EXPAND MEDICAID IN THIS DISTRICT.

SO THIS RACE IS ALWAYS ABOUT THE ISSUES FOR US AND FOR OUR CAMPAIGN AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE ABOUT AND WE ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANY IMPACT AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET BECAUSE PEOPLE SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST IN DISTRICT TWO.

>> AT THE SAME TIME YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT NOMINEE.

I GUESS IT'S NOT OFFICIAL YET BUT LOOKS LIKE VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS IS GOING TO LEAD THE TICKET, PRESIDENT BIDEN MAKING THAT SIGNIFICANT, HISTORIC DECISION TO STEP ASIDE.

OF COURSE, HE WAS HELPED ALONG THE WAY, TALKED INTO THAT.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AROUND THAT IN TERMS OF THE BASE.

MAYBE THAT'S ALL JUST NOISE ON TWITTER, BUT HAS THAT HAD AN IMPACT?

HAVE Y'ALL FELT AN IMPACT IN TERMS OF VOTER ENTHUSIASM, FOLKS EXCITED ABOUT THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT IN HISTORY?

>> FIRST OFF, PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE THE DECISION AND PUT THE COUNTRY FIRST, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD EXPECT ALL OF US TO DO, ESPECIALLY THOSE SEEKING ELECTED OFFICE AND THOSE WHO HOLD ELECTED OFFICE.

SO HE MADE THE BEST DECISION THAT HE FELT IN HIS OWN WORDS THAT WERE IN THE INTEREST OF HIS COUNTRY AND PARTY TO GET US HERE.

SO WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT ANT HAVE SEEN A LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT BEING GENERATED AS WE'RE TALKING TO PEOPLE.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR A FEMALE FOR PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DISTRICT GIVEN THE FACT BLACK FEMALES PLAYED IN U.S. HISTORY IN THIS DISTRICT, ROSA PARKS, WE THINK IT WILL BE A MOTIVING FACTOR TO GET PEOPLE TO THE POLLS.

>> DO YOU KNOW KAMALA HARRIS AT ALL?

>> I MET HER IN 2012 WHEN SHE WAS STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN CALIFORNIA.

SHE WAS HELPING US GET PRESIDENT OBAMA REELECTED I WORKED WITH HER WHEN SHE WAS IN THE SENATE AS WELL.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS RACE IS SOMETHING SHE'S FOCUSED ON.

SHE CALLED ME AFTER THE RUNOFF WIN AND ACTUALLY TOLD ME THEN, HEY, LOOK, WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS RACE AND WE'RE EXCITED FOR YOU TO GET TO WASHINGTON TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO BRING BENEFITS TO YOUR DISTRICT.

I THINK SHE'S SMART, BRILLIANT, READY, QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED AND IS GOING TO TAKE THAT INTO THE WHITE HOUSE ON DAY ONE.

>> AS MUCH AS THAT EXCITEMENT IS PALPABLE, AND SOMETIMES THAT CAN FADE A LITTLE BIT AS THE NEWS FADES, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE GOT TO BACK UP AND LOOK AT THE REPUBLICANS.

YOU HAD IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE TRUMP SHOOTING, YOU HAD THE RNC.

I REMARKED I'VE NEVER SEEN A MORE UNITED REPUBLICAN PARTY ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING EIGHT YEARS AGO IN CLEVELAND THERE WAS STILL IS A FLOOR CHALLENGE TO TRUMP.

NOT ANYMORE, THEY SEEM TO BE VERY UNITED BEHIND TRUMP WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT AND I'M WONDERING IF THAT PLAYS A FACTOR IN THIS RACE IN TERMS OF REPUBLICANS HAVING A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM, UNITED BEHIND TRUMP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AND HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT KIND OF ENTHUSIASM FROM THE OTHER SIDE?

>> I WATCHED IN HORROR LIKE MOST OF AMERICA DID WHEN THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS NO PLAYS IN AMERICA AND WAS AN INCREDIBLY UNFORTUNATE EVENT, SO WE'RE THANKFUL PRESIDENT TRUMP WITH US NO MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THOSE WHO WERE MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THAT SHOOTING.

LOOK, WE EXPECTED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO BE GALVANIZED AND UNIFIED, I THINK WE EXPECTED THAT FOR FOUR YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE WAS GOING TO RUN AGAIN AFTER HE WAS DEFEATED IN 2020.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING.

WE'VE GUARDED AGAINST IT.

THE THEORY OF US RUNNING BEHIND IS RUNNING AS IF WE'RE RUNNING AGAINST THE MOST ENCOURAGED AND INSPIRED VOTER BASE ON THE OTHER SIDE THAT THERE WILL BE.

SO WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE NOT SURPRISED, WE'RE NOT CAUGHT OFFGUARD BY IT, BUT IT'S ONE MORE THING -- ONE MORE REASON, RATHER, TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN AND MAKE SURE WE'RE DRIVING PEOPLE TO FOLLOWS IN NOVEMBER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT IF YOU'RE ELECTED.

>> MM-HMM.

>> IF YOU'RE ELECTED, LET'S SAY NOT JUST YOU ARE ELECTED BUT DEMOCRATS TAKE BACK THE HOUSE, KEEP THE SENATE, AND HARRIS IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.

SO BASICALLY, YOUR BEST-CASE SCENARIO.

>> YEAH.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE THE MAJORITY WOULD STILL BE KIND OF SLIM, BUT WHAT COULD ACTUALLY GET ACCOMPLISHED IN PARTICULAR REALISTIC THINGS YOU THINK COULD HAPPEN IN THAT SCENARIO?

>> I THINK WE FIRST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES ARE HERE IN THE DISTRICT THAT WE WANT TO SEE ADDRESSED AND ONE ISSUE THAT RESONATES SIGNIFICANTLY ACROSS NOT JUST THIS DISTRICT BUT THE ENTIRE STATE IS MEDICAID EXPANSION.

SO MY PRIORITY NUMBER ONE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN GET WITH CONGRESSWOMAN AND MAKE SURE WE INTRODUCE RELATIONSHIP THROUGHOUT ALABAMA AND OTHER STATES TO EXPAND MEDICAID AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS IN THE TIME PERIOD.

WE LIVE SECOND OR THIRD SHORTEST LIVES IN AMERICA IN ALABAMA AND WE HAVE NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID.

IT COULD BRING RESOURCES INTO THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE HOSPITALS SHUT TOWN.

WE'VE SEEN THREE SHUT DOWN IN THE RACE.

WE'VE SEEN MATERNITY WARDS CLOSE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND UNACCEPTABLE AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING THERE.

BEYOND THAT, I THINK, LOOK, IN A HARRIS ADMINISTRATION, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS PRESIDENT, WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO LEVERAGE THE ENTIRETY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE AND PLACES IN THE DISTRICT AND THAT IS WHAT I AM COMMITTED TO.

I'VE WORKED IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ALL FOUR BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE WHITE HOUSE AND I UNDERSTAND HOW TO FIND THE RESOURCES AND HELP AND ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WE CAN GET ACCOMPLISHED HEAR.

LEGISLATIVELY, WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PRIORITIZE, MAKING SURE WE'RE MAKING THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AS YOU SAW LAST WEEK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE LARGEST EVER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AWARDED IN MOBILE TO AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS RELATED TO THE BAYBRIDGE.

>> BAYWAY.

>> EVERY REPUBLICAN VOTED AGAINST IT, BUT THAT YOU WILL PRAISED IT AS WELL.

I THINK WE CAN LOOK FOR MORE WAYS TO CONTINUE THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN THIS DISTRICT.

I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PRIORITIZING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE GOING TO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MODERNIZING OUR EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS DISTRICT, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DEVELOPING THOSE PROGRAMS NECESSARY TO EQUIP THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF WORKS IN THIS DISTRICT, THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT SOME ISSUES THAT MAYBE CAN BE SOME LIABILITIES FOR DEMOCRATS.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, CHANGING THE TOP OF THE TICKET FROM BIDEN TO HARRIS, I THINK, SOLVES A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF VOTER ENTHUSIASM AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY CHANGE SOME OF THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES VOTERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

I'M THINKING ABOUT INFLATION.

I'LL THROW GAS PRICES IN THERE, TOO, AS A COST THING, PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IMMIGRATION AND THE BORDER AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THOSE THINGS BOTH ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, BUT ALSO POLICY-WISE, IF ELECTED?

>> LOOK, INFLATION IS A REAL THING.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS HIT A LOT OF FAMILIES AND CONTINUES TO HIT A LOT OF FAMILIES VERY HARD IN THIS DISTRICT AND ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN IN THE REALM OF WHAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO KEEP INFLATION MANAGEABLE.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS, YOU KNOW, EVEN IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHEN THERE WAS INFLATION, THEY WOULD STILL FIND A WAY TO BLAME DEMOCRATS FOR IT.

THE PARTY IN POWER ALWAYS TAKES THE BLAME FOR WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT THAT NEEDS TO AMPLIFY THE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE COMMUNICATING WITH VOTERS.

PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE FACT.

INFLATION DIDN'T HAPPEN JUST BECAUSE JOE BIDEN GOT ELECTED.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS PRESIDENT BIDEN INHERITED THE WORST FISCAL CONDITION THIS COUNTRY HAS SEEN SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THAT WAS BECAUSE OF COVID, AND MOST ECONOMISTS WILL TELL YOU THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB IN ACTUALLY PREVENTING US FROM FALLING OFF A FISCAL CLIFF IN TERMS OF FALLING INTO AN ACTUAL RECESSION OR EVEN WORSE INTO A DEPRESSION AND WE HAVE TO MESSAGE THAT AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IS WHAT LED TO INFLATION SIGNIFICANTLY WAS SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

WHAT ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO IT WERE INJECTIONS INTO THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, ONE UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON THE WAY OUT RELATED TO COVID AND ONE UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO THE RESPONSE TO THE WORST PANDEMIC THE NATION HAS EVER SEEN.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW IT AFFECTS THE GROCERY STORE.

WE ARE MAXIMIZING TO KEEP PRICES DOWN.

IT STARTS ARE PRIORITIZING AMERICAN JOBS, MAKING SURE WE'RE BRINGING HIGHER PAYING JOBS, DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RE-INCENTIVIZE AND RESTART AMERICAN MANUFACTURING.

WE'RE GETTING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS AND NOT DOING THE THINGS WE KNOW ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE OUR PRICES UP.

>> AND ON THE IMMIGRATION BORDER ISSUE, DOES THAT COME UP ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AT ALL?

>> IT DOES NOT.

IT COMES UP FROM MY OPPONENT.

WHEN WE GO AROUND THE DISTRICT AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THEY CARE ABOUT, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT, IMMIGRATION IS NOT ONE THAT COMES UP.

IT'S IS AN ISSUE WHERE WE LOOK AT THE FACTS.

THE FACT IS DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, THE EIGHT YEARS DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, FEW BORDER ENCOUNTERS ON AVERAGE IN EACH OF THOSE EIGHT YEARS THAN ALL FOUR YEARS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO POLICIES.

IF WE'RE SERIOUS OF ADDRESSING THE POLICY AT THE BORDER, WHICH THERE IS A PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

IT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, NOT BEEN MODERNIZED IN 50-PLUS YEARS AND NEED TO BE MODERNIZED.

BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO DO IT WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE CORE VALUES OF THE COUNTRY, UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE THE PRODUCT OF IMMIGRANTS, BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING THE REALITIES OF THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS.

YOU KNOW, AT LEAST HALF IF NOT MORE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY DID NOT COME ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER, THEY'RE HERE ON VISAS THEY HAVE LEGALLY OBTAINED AND OVERSTAYED.

SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE REALITIES OF IT, NOT JUST FEAR MONGERING AND CLASSIFYING THE GROUPS OF THE PEOPLE WE SHOULD BE POINTING THE FINGER AT AND BLAMING FOR THE IMMIGRATION TIM R SIMILAR.

THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS A FAILURE OF DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS AND DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN-LED CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS IN GETTING LEGISLATION PASSED TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS.

IT HAS BECOME A POLITICAL PLOY.

EVEN PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE MOST RECENT IMMIGRATION PLAN LAID FORTH IN THE HOUSE HE SABOTAGED IT AND PROUDLY CLAIMS IT.

IT WAS WRITTEN BY A REPUBLICAN SENATOR BUT HE SAAB DONALD IT BECAUSE THIS IS AN ISSUE THEY WANT TO RUN ON AND LAY AT THE PARTICULAR OF DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CAN'T PLAY POLITICS IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT ACTUALLY GETTING RESULTS OPEN THESE MATTERS.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF OTHER PLATFORM ISSUES.

DO YOU HAVE A WEB SITE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIGURES FOR CONGRESS.COM.

YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED THERE ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN, HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US, DONATE, GET INVOLVED.

WE'RE SIGNING YOU WILL VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE VOLUNTEER BASE IS GROWING.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU GUYS JOIN US.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK SOON.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS JACKIE BUSHMAN, FOUNDER AND C.E.O.

OF BUCKMASTERS.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

IT'S A CHANGE FROM OUR NORMAL PROGRAMMING AROUND GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS, BUT YOU'VE GOT THE EXPO COMING UP.

I WANT TO GET TO THAT.

YOU KIND OF REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT BUCKMASTERS, THE ORGANIZATION, ITS ORIGINS AND ROLE HERE IN THE STATE?

>> WELL, LET'S SEE, I WANT TO SAY WE STARTED IN 1986 RIGHT HERE IN MONTGOMERY, MY HOMETOWN.

MY GOOD FRIEND, RAY SCOTT, WHO PASSED AWAY A FEW YEARS BACK, HE GOT ME GOING BECAUSE HE STARTED BASS MASTERS.

WE WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING FOR DEER HUNTING HE AND HIS FRIENDS DID FOR BASS FISHING.

WE'VE BEEN GOING WITH A TV SHOW WITH OUR EVENTS.

IT'S CHANGING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND CORD CUTTING, SO WE'VE HAD TO HIRE YOUNG, SMART INDIVIDUALS TO REALLY TAKE THIS SOCIAL MEDIA STUFF TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

>> I SAID YOUR ROLE HERE IN THE STATE, THIS HAS GONE NATIONAL, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> THIS IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION PROMOTING HUNTING.

IT'S A WORLD I'M NOT NECESSARILY FAMILIAR WITH, BUT WHEN YOU'RE PLUGGED INTO THE HUNTING WORLD, IT'S BUCKMASTERS, RIGHT?

YOU ARE LEADING THE CHARGE.

>> WE ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST BRANDS IN THE INDUSTRY AND THE LARGEST FOR WHITE TAIL DEER HUNTERS, THE BIGGEST AMOUNT OF HUNTERS AS FAR AS ALL HUNTERS.

IF THERE'S 14 MILLION HUNTERS, 12 MILLION OF THEM ARE WHITE TAIL DEER HUNTERS.

>> INTERESTING.

>> YEAH.

>> TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE DEER HUNTING SPORT HERE IN THE STATE.

>> IT'S A BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY.

AND THE THING THAT WE'RE SO BLESSED, AND WE'VE GOT SUCH A GREAT CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT AND THE WAY WE CAN SERVE OUR WILDLIFE IS WE HAVE PROBABLY SOME OF THE MOST LIBERAL BAG LIMITS BUT WE HAVE ONE TO HAVE THE LONGEST HUNTING SEASON.

YOU CAN HUNT FROM THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER THROUGH THE END OF APRIL, AND THAT'S COOL.

A LOT OF FOLKS COME INTO OUR STATE WITH THE BLACK BELT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF OUTFITTERS.

IN PENNSYLVANIA YOU MAY ONLY HAVE A NINE OR TEN-DAY HUNTING SEASON.

IN ALABAMA YOU CAN START AT THE END OF OCTOBER AND GO TO THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY.

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRAVELING TO HUNT DEER.

THE BREEDING SEASON FOR THE WHITE TAILS AREN'T TILL THE END OF JANUARY, FIRST OF FEBRUARY, WHERE MOST ARE THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER.

WHETHER FISHING, HUNTING, WHATEVER, ALABAMA IS A SPECIAL PLACE TO COME.

>> ALSO, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OUTDOOR RECREATION AS A TOURISM DRIVER BUT ALSO A JOB RECRUITMENT DRIVER WHICH I THINK IS REALLY INTERESTING, THE WHOLE INNOVATE ALABAMA THING.

JACK GREW UP HUNTING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO, GROW UP, PART OF THEIR HERITAGE AND ALL THAT.

BUT I'M CURIOUS, PEOPLE THROUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION MAY GET INTO HUNTING LATER IN LIFE AS ADULTS AND DO Y'ALL HELP FACILITATE THAT?

>> WE TRY TO PROMOTE IT, AND IT'S A VERY SIMPLE CONCEPT.

WE'VE STARTED IT THE LAST FEW YEARS, CALLED SHARE THE HUNT.

TAKE SOMEBODY THAT'S NEVER BEEN HUNTING BEFORE.

TAKE THEM OUT.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY THAT WE'VE TAKEN OUT THAT DIDN'T HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

YOU'RE LEARNING GUN SAFETY, LEARNING TO HANDLE A FIREARM CORRECTLY, AND YOU'RE LEARNING WHAT CONSERVATION IS ALL ABOUT, AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE MEAT YOU HARVEST.

VENISON IS NO FAT, NO CHOLESTEROL, GOOD FOR FOOD BANKS AND PLACES LIKE THAT, WE FEED A LOT OF NEEDY PEOPLE WITH IT.

SHARE THE HUNT.

IF EVERY HUNTER TOOK A PERSON FROM THE CHURCH, BALL FIELD, WORK OUT, AND INTRODUCE THEM WE WOULD GO FROM 12 MILLION TO 24 MILLION.

>> I WENT DUCK HUNTING A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK IN ARKANSAS.

>> DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT.

>> IT WAS REALLY COOL.

THE EXPO IS COMING UP IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EVENT IS LIKE.

IT'S AN ANNUAL THING PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

>> NO QUESTION.

IT'S AN EVENT WE STARTED BACK I BELIEVE IN '94, OKAY, AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT EVER SINCE AND IT'S JUST BEEN A HUGE HIT.

WHAT I DID IS WE TOOK IT OVER TO THE GEORGIA DOME, AND IT WAS THE FIRST EVER PROMOTION THAT HAD COUNTRY MUSIC CONCERT, WE HAD HANK WILLIAMS, JR., MARTINA MCBRIDE AND I THINK CHARLIE DANIELS AND TRAVIS TRITT, THAT WAS ON HALF THE FOOTBALL FIELD WHERE THE ATLANTA FALCONS PLAY.

THEN THE PROFESSIONAL ARCHERY TEAM AND BOOTS AROUND THE MEZZANINE.

IT WAS A HUGE PROMOTION.

DUE TO THE OLYMPICS, WE HAD TO TAKE A YEAR OFF, OR FIND A FACILITY.

SO WE CAME TO THE CONVENTION CENTER AND MEASURED IT AND SAID WE CAN PULL THIS OFF, AND WE DID IT HERE.

TO THIS DAY, THE GOVERNOR'S ALWAYS BEEN BEHIND OUR EVENT, AND WE APPRECIATE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY PROMOTING THIS AND THE LEGISLATURE, BUT IT BECAME SUCH A HUGE ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE CITY, THE COUNTY AND THE STATE, THEY SAID DON'T TAKE IT BACK TO GEORGIA.

AND WE HAVE KEPT IT HERE, EXCEPT FOR THREE YEARS WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO NORTH CAROLINA BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILDING THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY DIFFICULT GET BETTER.

I'M BORN AND RAISED HERE AND PROUD OF BRINGING THE EVENT HERE.

ONE YEAR WE HAD PEOPLE FROM 44 DIFFERENT STATES COMING IN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THE BIGGEST MANUFACTURERS HERE.

IT'S BEEN A COOL EVENT.

THANKS TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THE CITY, THE COUNTY COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL, ALL THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL SPONSORS, WE CAN LET EVERYBODY IN FOR A CAN OF FOOD.

>> FOR THE FOOD BANK?

THAT'S IT.

WE HAVE FRIENDSHIP MISSION AND THE SALVATION ARMY AND WE'LL FEED 100,000 MEALS OFF THE EXPO IN THREE DAYS.

>> THAT'S TERRIFIC.

WHAT KIND OAF VENTS CAN PEOPLE EXPECT WHEN THEY COME TO EXPO?

>> THE EXPO WILL HAVE SOME OF THE BIGGEST EXHIBITORS WITH OUTDOOR PRODUCTS.

THAT'S THE COOLEST THING TO ME BECAUSE IT'S A FAMILY SHOW.

IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER SHOW AND PAY $20 OR $25 TO GET IN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE MOMMA OR GRAND-MOMMA.

THEY'RE THE ONES BUYING THINGS BECAUSE THEY'RE BUYING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND ALL KINDS OF PRESENTS, BUT IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY WHO LOVES THE OUTDOORS, IT'S THE BEST PLACE TO SHOP.

WE HAVE COLLEGIATE AND 4-H ARCHERY SHOOTING.

I TOOK A YEAR OFF DOT GOGS.

I CALLED MY BUDDY RANDY AND SAID WHAT'S YOUR MOST POPULAR THING?

HE SAID THE PIG RACE AND WHIFF SWIFTIE SWINE COMING THIS YEAR.

>> I SAW THAT, I WANT TO SEE THAT.

AND BULL RISING.

>> YES.

>> IS IT AN ACTUAL BULL OR A MACHINE.

>> WHEN I FIRST THOUGHT OF THE PROMOTION FOR THE BULL RIDING WE WERE GOING TO DO A THING WITH BULL RIDING ON THE BEACH.

I SAID COMING UP AND SEE IF YOU CAN MEASURE OUR PARKING LOT.

WHEN I WAS TAKING IT TO EVERYBODY THEY THOUGHT I WAS LETTING BULLS OUT IN THE STREETS LIKE SPAIN.

I SAID, NO, THIS IS PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDING.

THIS WILL BE OUR THIRD YEAR AND IT JUST HIT A HOME RUN.

THAT'S ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT OF THE EXPO.

SO WE LET THE DOORS CLOSE AT THE EXPO, THEN THE BULL RIDING STARTS.

>> I SEE.

ANYONE BRAVE ENOUGH?

>> THIS IS MINOR LEAGUE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE PBR, BUT WE HAVE PBR BULLS AND THAT'S A DIFFERENT BALL GAME.

>> JUST TO OBSERVE.

>> YES.

>> I'M THINKING OF THE ALPHA PSI RODEO.

>> THAT'S COMING, TOO.

>> ARE THE VENDOR BOOTHS AVAILABLE?

>> WE HAVE TEN OR 15.

CALL BUCKMASTERS AND ASK FOR SHELLY SWAIN OR HEATHER BASS AND THEY CAN GET YOU A BOOTH.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TEN OR 15 AND THEN ARE SOLD OUT.

>> HOW DO PEOPLE WATCH THE JACKIE BUSHMAN SHOW?

>> WE'RE ON THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE 15 OR 20 YEARS AND IT'S ON THE CABLE PACKAGE.

BUCKMASTERS IS THERE.

JACKIE BUSHMAN SHOW.

WE WENT OFF IT TWO YEARS AGO.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN INDICATION IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM.

THIS WILL BE OUR 38TH YEAR COMING UP OBSERVE TV.

WE'RE THE LONGEST RUN HUNTING SHOW IN TV HISTORY.

I GUESS I'M JUST OLD BUT I'VE HAD A GREAT RUN WIT AND MY CO-HOST JAKE LANDRY IS HELPING ME.

I ALWAYS TELL THE AUDIENCE, AS LONG AS YOU WANT TO WATCH ME MESS UP AND WANT TO WATCH THE SHOW I'LL KEEP DOING IT, BUT IF YOU DON'T I'LL RETIRE AND BE IN SYNDICATION.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE EXPO.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

A NICE CHANGE OF PACE.

>> ABSOLUTELY, MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.