>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN AND THIS IS FRONT ROW.

COMING UP: DATA FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POSTER FINDS IMMIGRATION AND CRIME OUR TOP CONCERNS WITH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND NORTH CAROLINA, NEW BUSINESSES ARE BEING CREATED A RECORD PACE, AND THE CALIFORNIA RECALL, IT'S UP NEXT.

>> WELCOME BACK.

JOINING CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI WITH THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION, JAY CHAUDHURI THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP IN THE STATE SENATE, JONAH KAPLAN WITH ABC NEWS 11, NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISOR NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

WE BEGIN WITH THE DATA FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POLLSTER.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JOHN DELLA VOLPE BE WHO WAS A TOP 2020 BIDEN POLLSTER AND HIS FIRM RECENTLY RELEASED A POLL THAT HAD SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION SHOWING THAT PEOPLE ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME AND IMMIGRATION 83% SHOWING CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME THAN THEY ARE ABOUT RACE RELATIONS OR ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND SOME ARE LOOKING AT THIS INFORMATION SAYING HEY, THIS IS A POTENTIALLY A SIGN THAT THERE'S A MESSAGING ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> OR A POLICY ISSUE?

>> OR A POLICY ISSUE AS THEY GET READY FOR THE 2022 MIDTERMS.

THERE A COUPLE OF OTHER INTERESTING POLLS THAT HAVE ALSO COME OUT RECENTLY THAT ARE ON SIMILAR THEMES.

ONE IS THE ABC NEWS IPSOS POLL THAT SHOWED 55% OF PEOPLE HAVE A NEGATIVE VIEW OF THE DIRECTION THAT THE COUNTRY IS GOING IN.

THAT'S UP 20 POINTS.

THEY'RE MUCH MORE PESSIMISTIC THAN THEY WERE JUST IN MAY.

AND THEN THE 3RD POLL IS THE GALLUP POLL LOOKING AT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS APPROVAL RATING HAS DROPPED FROM 56% IN JUNE DOWN TO 50%, STILL NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT.

BUT IT'S THE LOWEST RATING HE'S HAD SINCE HE'S BEING PRESIDENT.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT BREAKING THAT DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE 90% OF DEMOCRATS STILL HAVE A POSITIVE VIEW OF PRESIDENT BIDEN, 12% OF REPUBLICANS HAVE A POSITIVE VIEW.

NEITHER THOSE IS PROBABLY A BIG SURPRISE BUT AMONG THE INDEPENDENTS, IT'S ONLY 48% WHO HAVE A POSITIVE VIEW THAT'S A BAD SIGN.

>> JAY HOW PROBLEMATIC ARE THESE NUMBERS FOR THE DEMOCRATS GOING INTO THE MIDTERM, PARTICULARLY ON IMMIGRATION AND CRIME?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL, BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS I THINK THAT THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE IS HYPER AWARE OF THESE POLLING NUMBERS, PARTICULARLY ON IMMIGRATION AND CRIME AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN GREAT ISSUES FOR DEMOCRATS, AND THEY WORKED IN 2018 MIDTERM FROM IMMIGRATION IN 2020, WE HAD DEFUND THE POLICE.

AND SO I THINK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS AWARE OF THAT.

I THINK ALSO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S COUNTERING A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING ON IMMIGRATION AND CRIME.

THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEK SAID THAT IMMIGRATION REFORM, THAT ALSO INCLUDES A LOT OF MONEY TO STRENGTHENING THE BORDER, WILL BE INCLUDED THE POTENTIAL BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL.

AND THE PRESIDENT'S ALSO ROLLED OUT A TOUGH ON CRIME OR FIGHTING CRIME PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES THE AMERICAN RESCUE PACKAGE INCLUDED MORE MONEY TO PUT OFFICERS ON THE STREET, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY POLICING.

LAST THING, I'LL SAY MARC IS THAT WHAT WE TALK ABOUT CRIME, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT WHAT THE TESTIMONY FROM THE U.S. CAPITOL POLICE THIS WEEK.

YOU DID HAVE A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS TALK ABOUT THE INSURRECTION IS BEING COMPARED TO TOURISTS.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK AGAINST THAT GIVEN THE FAILURE TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> DO WE HAVE A CRISIS AT THE BORDER?

A COVID CRISIS OR A NATIONAL SECURITY CRISIS?

AND DO WE HAVE OPEN BORDERS?

>> IT IS A CRISIS.

MONTHLY ILLEGAL CROSSINGS HIT A 20 YEAR HIGH IN JUNE.

TEXAS GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS ORDERED DETAINEES TO BE TURNED BACK FOR HEALTH REASONS AND ACCORDING TO THE DEA SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS LIKE FENTANYL ARE ALSO COMING ACROSS THE MEXICAN BORDER IN HIGHER AND HIGHER QUANTITIES.

AND THAT ACTUALLY DROVE DRUG OVERDOSES TO A RECORD HIGH IN 2020.

THE CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS FUELING MORE GANG VIOLENCE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES LIKE WE SAW IN THE MURDERS OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON'S NATIONAL STADIUM AND THEIR CENTRALLY IS A NEXUS NOW BETWEEN DRUG TRAFFICKING AT THE BORDER, VIOLENT COMPETITION BETWEEN THE GANGS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND A GROWING MARKET FOR OPIOIDS IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL.

AND THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE PUT THIS IN CONTEXT.

>> JONAH, WRAP THIS UP ABOUT 40 SECONDS PLEASE.

>> I'LL DO MY BEST, I WOULD SAY PRESIDENT BIDEN'S CHALLENGE IS THAT AT LEAST IN HIS FIRST 100 DAYS, HE HAD TO BASICALLY BE THE ANTI TRUMP.

AND FOR MANY AMERICANS HE WAS BORING AND THAT'S WHAT THEY WANTED.

NOW THOUGH HE HAS TO DEFINE HIMSELF AS BEING MORE THAN JUST NOT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF POLICY, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF DEFINING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND WHAT THAT'S GOING TO REPRESENT.

HOW DO YOU MAKE UP FOR THE PERCEPTION OF A DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT'S MAYBE GOING TOO PROGRESSIVE OR IS GOING TOO MODERATE.

SO THE PRESIDENT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BASICALLY COME OUT WITH ACTUAL POSITIONS THAT ARE EITHER GOING TO RESONATE WITH THE GREAT AMERICAN PUBLIC OR IT'S NOT.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON.

BUSINESSES ARE FLOURISHING, JAY, IN NORTH CAROLINA, NEW BUSINESS STARTS ARE UP.

>> YEAH, IT IS A GREAT STORY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK SECRETARY OF STATE ELAINE MARSHALL TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE PANDEMIC DIDN'T SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH OF BUSINESS IF ANYTHING IT ACCELERATED IT.

96,000 BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN CREATED THIS YEAR ALREADY, WHICH IS AN 80% INCREASE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

AND WITH THOSE NUMBERS WE'RE ACTUALLY ON PACE TO HAVE DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN CREATED COMPARED TO 2019.

SECRETARY MARSHALL SAID THAT WE'RE HEADED INTO A NEW ERA OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

A COUPLE OF INTERESTING THINGS TO POINT OUT THOSE GROWTH AND BUSINESSES AREN'T ALWAYS NECESSARILY COMING FROM URBAN AREAS.

THEY ACTUALLY COME FROM PLACES LIKE SCOTLAND COUNTY, EDGECOMBE COUNTY.

EDGECOMBE COUNTY SEEING A 200% INCREASE IN NEW BUSINESSES.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT THE HEAD OF THE ROCKY MOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DAVID FERRIS TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT MOST OF HIS - A LOT OF HIS NEW MEMBERSHIP IS ACTUALLY COMING FROM WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT ARE GROWING BUSINESSES, OBVIOUSLY A DEMOGRAPHIC THAT HAD BEEN HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

BUT I LOVE THIS STORY BECAUSE I THINK IT REFLECTS THE AMERICAN RESILIENCY AND DETERMINATION AND IT'S A TREND NOT ONLY IN NORTH CAROLINA BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> NELSON, YOU HAVE FLOOR.

>> WELL, IT'S NO SURPRISE IS THE RESULT OF A DECADE OF CONSISTENT POLICY: LOWER TAXES, LESS REGULATION, TOP UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES, TRANSPORTATION, LOWER ENERGY COST, GREAT QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE ALSO WON HERE JUST A MONTH OR SO AGO SITE SELECTION, MAGAZINE'S PROSPERITY CUP, BEATING OUT GEORGIA, OHIO AND A FORMER NUMBER ONE TEXAS.

THE SECTORS THAT ARE REALLY DRIVING THIS ARE LIFE SCIENCES, TECHNOLOGY, AEROSPACE, FINANCIAL SECTORS, THEY'RE BREAKING RECORDS.

BIOTECH ALONE HAS CREATED 770 COMPANIES AND AROUND 67,000 HIGH-PAY JOBS IN THE STATE.

AND AS THOSE SECTORS GROW, WE'RE SEEING MORE BILLIONS IN INVESTMENT LIKE APPLE, FUJI FILM.

THERE'LL BE SOME MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS COMING WEEK THAT WILL ADD TO THAT.

AND THOSE BIG BUSINESSES CREATES A SUPPLY CHAINS FOR A HOST OF SMALLER BUSINESSES AND SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND OF COURSE THAT'S HELP FORBES' LAST 3 YEARS.

NORTH CAROLINA'S BEEN THE STATE.

>> JONAH, SMALL BUSINESSES AND BUSINESSES IN GENERAL ARE STILL HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING WORKERS AREN'T THEY?

>> WELL THAT'S THE OTHER PART OF THIS, BECAUSE YES I THINK PART OF WHAT WE'VE HAD IN TERMS OF TRENDS OVER THE LAST DECADE MAY BE PART OF THIS.

BUT THE OTHER PART IS WHAT I'VE HEARD IS TERMED THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

COVID, PEOPLE AT HOME, THEY'VE TOTALLY RE- EVALUATED AND REDEFINED THEIR PURPOSE AND WHERE THEY WANT TO FIND FULFILLMENT IN WORK.

AND WHY GO WORK AT A MINIMUM WAGE JOB WHEN I CAN STAY HOME AND OPEN UP A BUSINESS ONLINE.

YOU DON'T NEED TO OPEN UP A FACTORY, YOU DON'T NEED OTHER REAL ESTATE, YOU CAN RUN A BUSINESS RIGHT OF THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME AND YOUR COMPUTER.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THIS IT'S CREATING NEW BUSINESSES, YES, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S ADDING ON TOP OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

IT MAYBE EVEN TAKING AWAY FROM SOME OF THE OTHER BUSINESSES OR SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL WORK THAT WE MIGHT THINK OF IN TERMS OF HARD LABOR, IN TERMS OF SERVICE INDUSTRY.

>> MITCH HOW COULD NEW FEDERAL MANDATES, PARTICULAR ON COVID, IMPACT SMALL BUSINESSES?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY IF THOSE MANDATES ARE VERY RESTRICTIVE AND SAY THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO WEAR MASKS, OR THAT THERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS, OR ANY OTHER REALLY HIGH REGULATORY BURDEN THAT'S GOING TO HURT.

TAX POLICY, THAT'S GOING TO HIT THE SMALL BUSINESS IS THE HARDEST, THE LARGE BUSINESSES USUALLY CAN ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES.

THEY'VE GOT THE LEGAL TEAMS.

THEY'VE GOT THE THE WHERE WITH ALL TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH NEW RULES.

SMALL BUSINESSES, YOUNG BUSINESSES, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE THE HARDEST TIME.

I THINK ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT WE'VE SORT OF MENTIONED THROUGH ALL OF THIS CONVERSATION IS THE POWER OF CREATIVE DESTRUCTION.

COVID-19 LED TO A LOT OF DESTRUCTION, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF CREATIVITY, RESILIENCE WITHIN THE ECONOMY.

>> OKAY, I WANT TO MOVE ON.

JONAH, CALIFORNIA IS REALLY HEATING UP, NEWSOM MAY BE IN TROUBLE.

>> AND FOR OUR VIEWERS WATCHING ARE THINKING, WHAT'S UP WITH CALIFORNIA?

WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO US?

WELL LOOK WE'VE SEEN THE PROTESTS IN CUBA ABOUT THEIR FORM OF GOVERNMENT WE'VE SEEN TUNISIA THEIR FORMER GOVERNMENT'S UNREST.

CALIFORNIA IS THE 5TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD.

IF THIS WAS ITS OWN COUNTRY AND MANY PEOPLE WOULD SAY IT IS ITS OWN COUNTRY, THIS WOULD BE INTERNATIONAL NEWS.

I MEAN YOU HAVE 40 MILLION PEOPLE NOW AT LEAST HALF OF THEM COMING TOGETHER AND SAYING WE MAY WANT TO REPLACE OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

AND LOOK, CALIFORNIA IS EMBLEMATIC OF MANY OF AMERICA'S QUALITIES, MANY OF AMERICA'S DEMOGRAPHICS, MANY OF AMERICA'S PROBLEMS.

AND SO GAVIN NEWSOM WHO IS THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR - HE WOULD ONLY BE THE 4TH - THIS IS THE 4TH RECALL ELECTION IN AMERICA.

OKAY?

THE NOTABLE ONE BEFORE IS ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER DEFEATING GRAY DAVIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

>> THE TERMINATOR!

[LAUGHS] >> AND HE TERMINATED GRAY DAVIS' EMPLOYMENT.

BUT WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S REALLY THE BELLWETHER AND IT'S REALLY AN INDICATOR FOR WHERE WE COULD BE GOING.

BECAUSE IF CALIFORNIA WHICH IS THE BLUEST OF BLUE STATES IS NOW GOING TO BE FED UP WITH A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND MAY BE STARTING TO MODERATE, MAYBE TRYING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST SOME OF THE EXTREME MEASURES IN TERMS OF RESTRICTIONS.

LA COUNTY NOW HAS A MASK MANDATE AGAIN.

SOME OF THE HIGHEST TAXES, INCREDIBLE REGULATION.

I MEAN REGULATIONS ABOUT TRYING TO BUILD SOLAR PANELS, SO YOU CAN GET AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSE.

>> HOME PRICES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> IT IS - IT IS OBSCENE WHERE THIS GOLDEN AGE OF CALIFORNIA ISN'T SO GOLDEN ANYMORE.

SO YES, IT MIGHT BE JUST ANOTHER STATE ANY YOU KNOW FAR AWAY FROM HERE, BUT ITS IMPACT AND ITS SYMBOLISM FOR WHAT COULD BE THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY VERY SIGNIFICANT.

>> JAY, IS THIS LARGELY - BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLED THE PANDEMIC THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PANDEMIC YOU THINK?

>> NOT ENTIRELY.

BUT I THINK THAT HE'S MADE SOME UNFORCED ERRORS.

I MEAN THERE WAS THE THERE WAS A TIME THAT HE SHOWED UP AT THE RESTAURANT UNMASKED WITH A GROUP THAT WAS DURING THE LOCKDOWN.

AND MOST RECENTLY I THINK PULLING HIS CHILDREN FROM CAMP, I MEAN NOT A COUPLE THINGS I WOULD SAY ABOUT THE POLLING.

I THINK NUMBER ONE IS THE ENTHUSIASM FOR REPUBLICANS IS REALLY HIGH.

PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE - GET NEWSOM REALLY REALLY DON'T LIKE HIM.

AND THE SURVEYS EXPECT THAT REPUBLICANS COULD MAKE UP A 3RD OF THE ELECTORATE, EVEN THOUGH THEY ONLY COMPRISE A QUARTER.

>> BUT THERE ARE 60 PEOPLE IN THAT NOW, I THINK.

>> I MEAN THERE ARE THERE ARE 60 PEOPLE.

BUT AGAIN THE LATEST POLLS SHOW THE POLLS TIGHTENING EVEN THOUGH HE WAS UP BY 10 POINTS IN THE PREVIOUS 2 MONTHS.

THE OTHER THE OTHER 2 THINGS I WILL SHARE AS ONE IS CALIFORNIA IS GOING TO REQUIRE EVERY VOTER TO GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

SO THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHETHER THAT ACTUALLY SHIELDS NEWSOM FROM ACTUALLY LOSING THE RACE.

THAT COULD BE SIGNIFICANT EVEN THOUGH ABSENTEE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN SHOWN NOT TO BENEFIT DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

AND LAST THING IS NEWSOM IS STILL SITTING ON ABOUT 44 MILLION DOLLARS.

AND SO THE QUESTION - >> AND HAS YET TO START ADVERTIING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS, MITCH HOW HIGH ARE THE STAKES AND IS LARRY ELDER THE FRONT RUNNER ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> WE'LL CERTAINLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT HELPS GAVIN NEWSOM IS THE FACT THAT THERE ISN'T ONE KNOWN ALTERNATIVE THAT PEOPLE ARE RALLYING AROUND.

SO WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO THE POLLS ON THIS RECALL, YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO SAY DO I WANT THE GUY I MIGHT NOT LIKE, OR SOMEONE ELSE WHO I DON'T EVEN KNOW?

AND THAT'S THAT'S GOING HELP GAVIN NEWSOM.

IN THAT LAST ELECTION WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WITH ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER PEOPLE THOUGHT OK MAYBE - THE ALTERNATIVE IS ARNOLD.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE ARE NOT ALIGNED BEHIND LARRY ELDER THE CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME OTHER ALTERNATIVE THAT WOULD BE PUT IN PLACE INSTEAD OF NEWSOM OR ELSE PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO SAY WHY SHOULD I GET RID OF THE DEVIL I KNOW FOR THE ONE, I DON'T KNOW.

>> DOES NEWSOM HAVE A DEMOCRATIC FIRE WALL AND IS THIS REALLY A TURNOUT ELECTION YOU THINK?

>> IT'S A TURNOUT ELECTION.

IT CLEARLY IS.

AND HE DOES HAVE A FIREWALL, BUT YOU KNOW THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM THERE IN CALIFORNIA IS NOT NEWSOM PER SE, IT'S 2 DECADES OF BAD POLICY JUST THE OPPOSITE OF NORTH CAROLINA, IT'S HIGHER TAXES MORE REGULATION, LIKE JOHN WAS TALKING, ABOUT HIGHER ENERGY COSTS.

A MOUNTAIN OF DEBT LOOKING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S TRYING TO BAIL HIM OUT.

SO THEY BLAME THEIR WATER ISSUES FOR EXAMPLE, ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND FARMERS, INSTEAD OF SAYING, OK WE NEED TO BUILD MORE DAMS, WE NEED TO INVEST IN DESALINIZATION PLANTS ON THE COAST, AS OPPOSED TO A HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT THAT GOES TO NOWHERE.

SO THESE BAD POLICIES ARE BEGINNING TO HAVE AN IMPACT IN CALIFORNIA AND I THINK THAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM - THIS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG >> GREAT WRAP UP.

COMING RIGHT BACK TO YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING CRISIS IN CUBA.

>> IN CUBA.

SO SINCE THE FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION, CUBA HAS HAD TO REALLY RELY ON TOURISM.

LAST YEAR WITH COVID CRISIS THE ECONOMY CRASHED.

SO CUBANS BASICALLY HAVE NO MONEY NO MEDICINE, NO FOOD, NO POWER.

NO INTERNET NO BASICS OF HUMAN LIFE.

AND SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF SOCIAL MEDIA 3 YEARS AGO THE CUBANS HAVE NOW GAINED ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT'S CONTROL.

AND THE ARTS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN KEY IN THIS.

THEY'VE DRIVEN FOR A MORE OPEN SOCIETY, CREATING THE SONG "PATRIA Y VIDA" - I HOPE I SAID RIGHT, "FATHERLAND AND LIFE," AS OPPOSED TO THE OLD REVOLUTIONARY SLOGAN "FATHERLAND OR DEATH."

SO THERE'S A REAL DRIVE IN THE COUNTRY FOR CHANGE NOW.

AND THEY NEED TO STAY IN THE STREETS.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN VERY SLOW TO GET ENGAGED.

THE PRESIDENT'S NOW COME OUT WITH A BETTER STATEMENT BUT THE U.S. CAN AND SHOULD DO MORE.

WE SHOULD SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE.

WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEIR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE.

>> WE CAN TURN ON THE INTERNET, RIGHT?

>> WE CAN TURN ON THE INTERNET.

WE CAN USE SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY.

WE - WE'RE 90 MILES AWAY.

THERE'S A LOT WE CAN DO.

WHAT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO DO IS TO HAVE IN CUBA WHAT WE SAW IN TIANANMEN SQUARE.

>> OKAY, HAS THE MEDIA, JONAH, DOWNPLAYED THIS STORY?

I HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT ABOUT IT.

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT POLITICAL LITERACY THERE'S ALSO HISTORICAL LITERACY PROBLEM.

NOT TO AGE ANYBODY HERE, I APOLOGIZE, I'M NOT A CHILD OF THE COLD WAR.

BUT MOST AMERICAN CHILDREN, MOST AMERICAN TEENAGERS, MILLENIALS DON'T KNOW ABOUT BAY OF PICS, THE U.S.

THEY DON'T KNOW - I MEAN, ALL THEY KNOW ABOUT CUBA IS MAYBE GUANTANAMO BAY AND HAVANA - CUBAN CIGARS.

I MEAN THEY REALLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CASTRO FAMILY.

THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS.

THEY DON'T KNOW.

SO HOW DO WE MAKE IT RELEVANT AND THAT'S ALWAYS FROM A NEWS PERSPECTIVE.

HOW DO WE MAKE A STORY RELEVANT ENOUGH TO, AGAIN, IT'S UNFORTUNATE BUT WE'RE STILL A BUSINESS, HOW DO WE GET VIEWERS?

IS THIS SOMETHING THEY CARE ABOUT?

ONCE - IF THEY LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMUNISM, THE THREAT OF RUSSIA.

IF IT WAS ON OUR DOORSTEP, WHY IT MATTERS - THEN MAYBE, YES, WE'LL GET MORE COVERAGE.

I JUST DON'T THINK AMERICANS KNOW ENOUGH... >> THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPRESSED FOR YEARS.

YOU KNOW, I MET A GUY ONE TIME AT A CONFERENCE, HE WAS A POSTMAN.

HE DIDN'T SIGN A LOYALTY OATH.

AND HE GOT 30 YEARS, HE WAS IN SOLITARY FOR NOT SIGNING A LOYALTY OATH TO CASTRO.

DOES THE WHITE HOUSE YOU THINK, JAY, HAVE A MESSAGING PROBLEM?

>> I THINK I THINK THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN SLOW TO RESPOND.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, I MEAN PART OF THE REASON IS I THINK THE PRESIDENT'S BEEN CONFRONTING A LOT OF ISSUES BUT I THINK THE PROTESTERS CHANGE THAT.

AND I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING... >> THE CUBAN COMMUNITY DOWN IN MIAMI.

>> WELL THAT, TOO.

THERE'S AN ELECTORAL COMPONENT TO IT BECAUSE THERE'S A CUBAN COMMUNITY IN FLORIDA.

BUT 2 THINGS: ONE IS THE PRESIDENT'S MEETING WITH CUBAN AMERICANS THIS WEEK IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

I THINK SIGNALS THE IMPORTANCE HE RECOGNIZES WHAT THE ELECTORAL POLITICS OF IT.

SECONDLY, I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING THAT AS VICE PRESIDENT HE WAS REALLY IN CHARGE OF A POLICY THAT ENGAGED CUBA.

TODAY, I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THIS ADMINISTRATION CARRY OUT A FOREIGN POLICY THAT SIMILAR TO TRUMP IN THE SENSE THAT THEY'RE STILL CONTINUING WITH SANCTIONS.

>> WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE LIFTING OF THE EMBARGO?

>> THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT SUPPORTED THAT.

IN FACT WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY ALONG WITH ISRAEL TO VOTE AGAINST THE UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION ASKING FOR THE EMBARGO TO BE LIFTED.

AND IF ANYTHING THE U.S. TREASURY NOW HAS ISSUED ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST KEY GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS.

>> PUT THIS IN CONTEXT, MITCH, WRAPPING UP ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

>> THE ONE THING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THOSE OF US ARE USED TO PROTESTS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, THIS DOESN'T NORMALLY HAPPEN IN CUBA.

THE LAST PROTEST OF THIS TYPE WAS IN 1994.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY RARE, ESPECIALLY HEARING AS ALLUDED TO CHANGING THE REVOLUTIONARY SLOGAN AROUND.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY FED UP WITH WHAT THEY'VE SEEN FOR DECADES AND DECADES OF COMMUNIST.

>> OK, LET'S GO TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK, MITCH?

>> ALL RIGHT TO THE END OF JULY BEGINNING OF AUGUST OF 2021, EVERYONE IS READY FOR THE 2022 ELECTIONS, AREN'T THEY?

WELL WE'VE HAD ONE OF THE FIRST SIGNS THAT THEY ARE UPON US, AND THAT IS THE FIRST NEGATIVE AD IN THE 2022... >> I'M SHOCKED!

>> ...US SENATE RACE, TIED INTO THE OLYMPICS THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN AT HAVING FUN WATCHING.

AND THAT IS CONGRESSMAN TED BUDD WHO IS RUNNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION, ONE OF HIS CHIEF RIVALS OF COURSE IS FORMER GOVERNOR PAT MCCRORY.

TED BUDD HAS A NEW AD OUT THAT BASICALLY BLAMES THE MCCRORY ADMINISTRATION FOR AWARDING 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER INCENTIVES TO A COMPANY OWNED BY CHINA.

IT'S AN OLYMPIC-THEMED AD SAYING THAT CHINA WON, AND YOU PAID FOR THEIR MEDAL!

>> WILL THAT RESONATE?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO RESONATE, BUT OF COURSE TED BUDD RIGHT NOW WITH THE MAIN THING HE'S TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE BIG REPUBLICAN SUPPORT AND MONEY IS HEADING HIS WAY, RATHER THAN TOWARD MCCRORY.

>> HE'S TRYING TO GET HIS NAME ID OUT THERE.

OK. UNDERREPORTED?

>> UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK IS AXIOS CHARLOTTE HAD AN ARTICLE THIS WEEK THAT TALKED ABOUT THE LOOMING EVICTION CRISIS, HOUSING CRISIS IN CHARLOTTE.

JULY 31ST AS WE ALL KNOW IS THE END OF THE FEDERAL EVICTION MORATORIUM.

THAT MEANS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE EVICTED.

CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG COUNTY HAS 28,000 RESIDENTS THAT ARE BEHIND ON THE RENT THAT'S ACTUALLY THE HIGHEST OF ANY COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE'S 6,000 RESIDENTS THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR FEDERAL RELIEF THAT - THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT.

HOUSING MANAGERS ARE ARGUING THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE DONE TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THOSE RESIDENTS.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY RESIDENTS ARE ULTIMATELY GOING TO BE EVICTED EVEN A FRACTION OF THE 28,000 COULD MEAN THAT THERE'S A REAL CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS AND STRESS ON COMMUNITIES IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY.

>> THANKS FOR THAT.

JONAH?

>> UNDERREPORTED, WE'VE HAD OF COURSE THESE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE AND NOW THE COOPER ADMINISTRATION REQUIRING VACCINATIONS, OR SAYING IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED YOU TO HAVE A ROBUST TESTING YOU NEED TO BE WEARING A MASK.

THE UNDERREPORTED PART OF THIS IS THE ACTUAL LEGAL PRECEDENT.

SO BACK IN 1905, THE SUPREME COURT, JACOBSON VERSUS MASSACHUSETTS, THERE WAS A TOWN IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT WANTED TO EVOKE - >> DID YOU COVER THAT?

[LAUGHS] >> I WAS ON TWITTER THAT DAY!

[LAUGHTER] THEY ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, WANTED TO INOCULATE ITS POPULATION TO PREVENT SMALLPOX AND THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF MASSACHUSETTS SAYING, LISTEN, FREEDOM IS NOT ABSOLUTE WHEN IT COMES TO THE PUBLIC GOOD.

AND ALSO PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT THE MILITARY FREEDOM GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, HE MADE HIS TROOPS GET VACCINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS ALSO AN EPIDEMIC GOING AROUND AND TAKING OUT ITS TROOPS.

YOU KNOW, THAT THIS - THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT IS PRECEDENTED.

NOT UNPRECEDENTED.

MAYBE IT HASN'T HAPPENED A LONG TIME.

BUT THIS IS PART OF BEING PART OF A COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY AND I THINK THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

>> US CAPITOL POLICE GO NATIONWIDE.

WITH ALL THE ATTENTION ON SPEAKER PELOSI'S JANUARY 6 COMMISSION, THE REAL STORY UNDER THE RADAR IS THE EXPANSION OF THE POWER OF THE SECURITY STATE.

THE U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CITING CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY FOR FEDERAL LAWMAKERS NATIONWIDE ARE EXPANDING TO OFFICES AND OPERATIONS IN THE FIELD, IN LOS ANGELES AND TAMPA, SIMILAR TO HOW THE SECRET SERVICE OPERATES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO PROTECT AGAINST THREATS FOR THE PRESIDENT.

WHAT IS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST AND I'M SURE TO JONAH HERE, THE U.S. CAPITOL POLICE AS PART OF CONGRESS THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST.

THERE HAS BEEN CHATTER ABOUT INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, BUT RIGHT NOW THIS REALLY SOUNDS MORE LIKE MATERIAL FOR A FUTURE OLIVER STONE MOVIE.

>> PELOSI REALLY IS FLEXING HER MUSCLES.

>> TREMENDOUSLY AND SHE'S A VERY GOOD VOTE COUNTER AND SHE KNOWS HER KNOWS WHAT YOU WANT.

>> SHE IS ALSO THREATENING TO ARREST PEOPLE WHO DON'T WEAR A MASK ON THE FLOOR.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

OKAY, LET'S GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK, MITCH?

>> I THOUGHT IF YOU'RE ON THE FLOOR, YOU COULD BEAT SOMEONE.

THAT HAPPENED IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

WHAT'S UP ARE EMERGENCY DRONES.

OUR NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RECENTLY HAD A COUPLE OF TESTS TAKING SOME SUPPLIES TO OCRACOKE TO TEST OUT WHETHER DRONES COULD BE USED IN THE FUTURE SUCCESSFULLY WHEN WE HAVE REALLY BAD WEATHER.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE HURRICANES OUT THERE ON A NOT INFREQUENT BASIS.

I FOUND IT INTERESTING THE FIRST DELIVERY HAD A SURVIVAL KIT, SOME BLANKETS, AND A CHOCOLATE MUFFIN.

SO OF COURSE THEY KNOW THEY'VE GOT THE GOOD THINGS THAT THEY COULD SEND.

MY WHO'S DOWN, NURSES.

HOSPITALS ARE STRUGGLING TO FILL VACANCIES, WE KNOW IN THE TRIANGLE DUKE HAS BEEN RECRUITING ABOUT 700 NURSES, UNC HEALTH ABOUT 800.

AMONG THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE TO TRY TO HELP FILL THIS VOID, HIGHER PAY BUT ALSO LOAN FORGIVENESS AND EVEN RELOCATION BONUSES.

>> GREAT PLACES TO EAT IN OKRACOKE.

WHO'S UP?

ORANGE COUNTY SO ACCORDING TO THE NEW CDC GUIDELINES WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD GUIDE WHETHER YOU AS A VACCINATED INDIVIDUAL TO WEAR A MASK INSIDE OR NOT.

FOR THE COUNTIES ON THE UPPER SPECTRUM THAT ARE HIGH AND SUBSTANTIAL COUNTIES THAT ARE THAT ARE UNDER THREAT, THE CDC RECOMMENDS WEARING A MASK INSIDE.

AND SO THOSE COUNTIES WAKE COUNTY, JOHNSON COUNTY, HARNETT COUNTY.

THE ONE COUNTY IN THE TRIANGLE THAT IS AT THE MODERATE CATEGORY IS ORANGE COUNTY IN THE NEW CDC GUIDELINES RECOMMEND THAT VACCINATED -- THE TOWN OF SPRING LAKE IS DOWN.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION UNDER TREASURER FALWELL PASSED A RESOLUTION TO TAKE FINANCIAL CONTROL OF THAT TOWN IF THE TOWN LEADERS DON'T COOPERATE.

THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE TOWN FOR MONTHS TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET DEFICIT AND POOR RECORD.

AUDITOR BETH WOOD HAS SAID THAT THEY ARE INVESTING IN LOOKING FOR MISSING MONEY.

SO THE TOWN OF SPRING LAKE IS DOWN.

>> JOE WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN?

>> IT APPEARS THAT COULD ACTUALLY BE SOME BIPARTISANSHIP IN WASHINGTON.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WE STILL HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN A BILL BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A FRAMEWORK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF A NEWS RELEASES.

SENATOR TILLIS COMPLIMENTING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

AND IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING EXCITING THAT COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

WHAT'S DOWN OR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DOWN IS EXPECTATIONS.

FOR TOO LONG THIS IDEA THAT A VACCINE WOULD HAVE TOTALLY STOPPED PEOPLE FROM GETTING SICK SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN THE EXPECTATION.

IF IT KEEPS YOU OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND KEEPS YOU ALIVE, DEAL, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

>> NELSON WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN.

>> RUSSIA, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE BANNED FROM THE OLYMPICS.

RUSSIANS ARE WINNING A RECORD NUMBER OF OF MEDALS, EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS FOR THEIR TEAM THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

THEY HAVE SECURED THE NORD STREAM 2 GAS PIPELINE IN EUROPE, 5 YEAR EXTENSION OF THE START TREATY, INTIMIDATING UKRAINE, THE U.S. ELECTION COLLUSION.

>> ON A ROLL!

>> YEAH.

US ELECTION COLLUSION APPARENTLY WAS FORGIVEN AND APPARENTLY THEY CAN HACK WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES.

PUTIN IS LIVING LARGE.

WHO'S DOWN, IS THE TERM STUDENT ATHLETE, TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA BOLTING THE BIG 12 FOR THE SEC IS JUST ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HOW BIG TIME COLLEGE SPORTS IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY AND ONLY THE MONEY.

THE TERM "STUDENT ATHLETE" SHOULD BE BANNED.

>> OKAY HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, MITCH?

>> LATEST DEBT LIMIT DEADLINE REMINDS US WE'RE SPENDING WAY TOO MUCH.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> FOLLOWING NEW CDC AND DHHS GUIDELINES, SENATE DEMOCRATS MASK UP AGAIN.

>> ANY DATA TO SUPPORT THAT?

>> WELL I THINK THEY'RE - I THINK THERE IS AS WE TALKED ABOUT.

AND I THINK THAT THE DELTA VARIANT IS MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS.

SO CERTAINLY TO REDUCE TRANSMISSION MASKING IS - >> JONAH, HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> BUDGET FUN AT THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> SO YOU THINK IT COMES OUT NEXT WEEK?

>> I'LL HAVE TO ASK MY SOURCE OVER HERE.

>> TELL US, NELSON!

[LAUGHS] >> HOUSE BUDGET COMES INTO FOCUS IT WILL FULLY COME OUT THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT CONVERSATION.

I REALLY, APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

THAT'S IT FOR US.

GREAT JOB, GENTS.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ >> A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: pbsnc.org/frontrow ♪