[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TONIGHT, WE’RE DISCUSSING NATIONAL AND STATE POLITICS, ALMOST THREE WEEKS AFTER THE 2024 ELECTION.

DONALD TRUMP IS RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, AND REPUBLICANS WON CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE AND KEPT CONTROL OF THE U.S. HOUSE — NARROWLY.

THAT MEANS IMPORTANT ROLES FOR REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

THE NUMBERS DIDN’T CHANGE IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT THERE ARE SOME NEW FACES, AND NEW LEADERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE SESSION IN JANUARY?

WE’LL TALK ABOUT ALL THIS, IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO, WITH THESE FOUR GUESTS: STEVE ROBERTSON, FORMER CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY; KELSEY COOTS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST AND PRINCIPAL OF BLUE DOT CONSULTING; TRES WATSON, FORMER SPOKESMAN FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY AND FOUNDER OF CAPITOL REINS PR; AND MIKE WARD, DEMOCRATIC CONSULTANT AND FORMER KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR GUESTS.

ON THIS THANKSGIVING EVE, "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MIKE WARD IS DRESSED APPROPRIATELY IN HIS ORANGE INTERNETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND REPRESENTING.

AS WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THE ELECTION THUF AND YOU'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT IT AND THIS WILL BE THE LAST SHOW WE TALK ABOUT IT THIS WILL WE GO INTO SESSION.

LET'S START NATIONALLY AND FILTER DOWN.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP DECLARED THAT AMERICA HAS GIVEN US AN UNPRESS DEPARTMENTSED AND POWERFUL MANDATE.

STEVE ROBERTSON I WANT TO ASK YOU IS THAT AN OVEREXAGGERATION, WAS IT A LANDSLIDE AND A MANDATE BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS IF YOU LOOK AT IT THAT WAY?

SY.

I THINK HE HAS CAUSE TO SAY THAT.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE REPUBLICAN HAS WON BOTH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE, HE GOT 312 ELECTORAL VOTES AND MAYBE WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS LATER AS OF TODAY WITH 89% OF THE VOTES IN, HE HAS ABOUT A 2.5 MILLION VOTE LEAD IN THE POPULAR VOTE.

AND THAT HASN'T HAPPENED IN A WHILE.

USUALLY A REPUBLICAN HAS WON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE COME UP SHORT ON THE POPULAR VOTE.

SO I MEAN, HE HAS CAUSE TO SAY THAT.

AND I THINK HIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN THEY TAKE OFFICE WILL START MAKING SOME SERIOUS MOVES.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN EVERY CABINET LEVEL POSITION WITH A NAME PUT FORWARD THAT REQUIRES SENATE CONFIRMATION.

AND I THINK HE HAS A MIX OF MEMBERS MIKE HAVING SERVED IN CONGRESS HE HAS A MIX OF PEOPLE THAT FIT THE MOLD OF FOLKS THAT ARE TYPICALLY CONFIRMED.

HE HAS NAMES THAT MIGHT HAVE MORE CONVERSATION IN THE U.S. SENATE DURING THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS.

BUT, I THINK HE'S GOING TO COME OUT WITH HIS GLOVES ON AND START SWINGING.

>> Renee: THE BIG QUESTION WE'VE HEARD FROM THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE IS WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DEMOCRATS GOING FORWARD?

WHO IS THE NATIONAL HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, KELSEY COOTS?

>> THINK RIGHT NOW IT IS HAKEEM JEFFERIES HE IS THE PERSON THAT IS LEADING THE AGENDA AND THE PERSON WHO IS OUR NUMBER ONE MESSENGER AGAINST ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING DURING THE SESSION.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE STARTING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT THE DAY AFTER.

THEY WERE DOING THE SHOWS, YOU KNOW.

BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TO BE SOLELY FOCUSED ON ENSURING WE'RE REDEFINING OUR MESSAGE AND DOING SOUL SEARCHING AS TO WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ABOUT.

SO WE CAN BRING VOTERS BACK TO OUR SIDE.

>> Renee: ANDY BESHEAR HAD SOME POINTS TO GIVE UNTIL DEMOCRATS READ THAT IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WHERE HE SAYS HE WON REELECTION 12 MONTHS AGO BY 5 POINTS IN A STATE THAT VOTED FOR TRUMP BY 30 POINTS AND DID SO WHEN INFLATION AND ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS WERE HIGHER NOW, AND HE WON BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY KNOW I CARE ABOUT THEM PERSONALLY AND FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST IN THEIR DAILY LIVES A TRUST LEADERS MUST EARN IN THEIR ACTIONS.

IS THAT WHERE KAMALA HARRIS TICKET FELL SHORT?

DID THEY NOT COMMUNICATE AND MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, QUOTE-UNQUOTE?

>> WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WE CANNOT TELL PEOPLE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT TO THINK.

WE CAN'T SAY INFLATION ISN'T AS BAD AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN.

IF WE HADN'T HAVE DONE WHAT WE DID.

INFLATION IS NOT AS BAD AS EUROPE.

THAT DOESN'T WORK.

PEOPLE FEEL THAT INFLATION IS BAD WE HAVE TO SAY HOW WE'RE GOING TO FIX IT.

IF THEY FEEL THE ECONOMY BAD WE HAVE TO SAY THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT BETTER.

AND I THINK THAT HAS BEEN OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM.

GOING BACK TO THE TIME WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT RONALD REAGAN'S VOTERS VOTING AGAINST THEIR OWN INTEREST.

REMEMBER THAT SELLING US?

AND WE HAVE DONE IT EVER SINCE AND THAT DOESN'T WORK.

WE NEED TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AS YOU SAY.

AND TALK ABOUT FIXING THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT WE HAVE.

>> Renee: WAS THE ABORTION ISSUE OVERPLAYED?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO NECESSARILY.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK IN KENTUCKY, THE LEGISLATURE, REPUBLICAN, YOU KNOW, SUPER MAJORITY HAS PUT TWO THINGS ON THE BALLOT, ABORTION AND SCHOOL VOUCHERS UNDER ANOTHER NAME.

AND EACH OF THOSE THINGS LOST THE SCHOOL VOUCHER THING LISTEN TO THIS THEY LOST EVERY COUNTY, THEY LOST EVERY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

SO THE PEOPLE VOTED AGAINST WHAT THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR WHOM THEY VOTED WANTED TO DO.

SO WHERE IT'S ISSUES DEMOCRATS ARE DOING FINE.

WHERE IT'S OURS R'S AND D'S AND TRUMP AND HARRIS WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> Renee: TRES WATSON YOU WROTE AN OP-ED THAT APPEARED IN LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER THAT TALKED ABOUT TAKEAWAYS THAT BOTH PARTIES COULD REALLY TAKE HEED TO.

CAUTIONARY NOTES.

SHARE WITH US PARTICULARLY FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHAT SHOULD YOU READ OR NOT READ INTO THE ELECTION RESULTS?

>> I THINK I WROTE IN THE PIECE I THINK REPUBLICANS WANT -- WON A MANDATE BUT A LOT OF MANDATE WAS TO NOT BEAT DEMOCRATS THE COUNTRY IS CENTER RIGHT.

YOU LOOK AT CALIFORNIA WHERE THEIR CENTER RIGHT IS FURTHER LEFT THAN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY'S CENTER RIGHT BUT CALIFORNIA VOTED DOWN A MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSITION THE FIRST TIME ANYONE IN THE COUNTRY THAT MINIMUM WAGE BALLOT INITIATIVE HAS GONE DOWN.

THEY THREW OUT THE LIGHT ON CRIME DISTRICT ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE BEEN ELECTED OVER THE YEARS.

YOU SAW THE COUNTRY REORIENTING ITSELF BACK TO THE CENTER RIGHT POSITION.

AND I THINK DEMOCRATS FOR SEVERAL WILL BION CYCLES MISUNDERSTOOD THE RESULTS TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A MANDATE TO GO LEFT AND THIS WAS THE COUNTRY RECORRECTING.

I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.

THE COUNTRY IS CENTER RIGHT NOT TO GO TOO FAR RIGHT BUT THERE IS A MANDATE TO RETURN TO THE FISCAL CONSERVATIVE AND SOCIAL ISSUES STAY OUT OF MY WAY VALUES THAT HAVE BEEN A HALLMARK OF THE COUNTRY SINCE ITS FOUNDING.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT OVERREADING IT AS A MANDATE FOR TRUMP TO NOT BEAT DEMOCRATS THAT IS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON THAT I TOOK AWAY.

>> Renee: HOW DO DEMOCRATS NOT BE DEMOCRATS?

>> WELL, WE DEFINITELY HAVE SOUL SEARCHING TO DO.

THE NATIONAL BRAND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A PERCEPTION PROBLEM.

WARRANTED OR NOT, AMERICANS IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND DEFINITELY IN KENTUCKY DON'T TRUST DEMOCRATS TO MAKE THEIR LIVES SIMPLER OR MORE SECURE.

AND PART OF THAT IS AN ECONOMIC THING.

THE FORMER CONGRESSMAN'S POINT THEY ARE TOLD THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING AND THEY GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND THEY CANNOT AFFORD GROCERYINGS OR SPENDING MORE FOR LESS FOOD.

OR THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OR WORRIED ABOUT GOING TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE WHAT THAT COULD DO TO THEIR POCKETBOOKS.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS THE DRUM BEAT WE'RE PUTTING, WE HAVE TO CHANGE COURSE.

WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC POPULISM.

AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE ANGRY AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE SO WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM AND MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> Renee: SO IF A BILL WERE TO COME UP NEXT SESSION ABOUT TRANSGENDER LEGISLATION WILL DEMOCRATS GO ALONG WITH WHAT REPUBLICANS WILL PRESENT BECAUSE THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE GOING.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ECONOMIC POPULISM AND LEANING INTO THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IS AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR OTHER VALUES.

I THINK THAT IS THE TENT POLE I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY IN MEDIA IT IS A STARTING POINT TO BRING PEOPLE IN TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

AGAIN, THAT IS NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR OTHER VALUES.

I THINK WHENEVER THERE ARE SOME LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON WHO DO THOSE THINGS TO DIVIDE AND DISTRACT THE WORKING CLASS WE ARE NOT FOCUSED ON THE TAX BREAKS TO BILLIONAIRES THEY ARE GIVING.

IT'S UP TO DEMOCRATS TO BEAT THAT DRUM AND MAKE SURE WE ARE FOCUSED ON HOW WE CAN DELIVER FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE A LOT OF THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

WHEN YOU HAVE LATINO PEOPLE SAYING I DON'T KNOW WHAT A LATINX IS WHY ARE THEY CALLING ME THAT?

THAT IS GETS TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM, IS YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BECAUSE THEY SAID THESE THINGS MAKE NO SENSE.

THESE PRONOUNS AND SOME OF THESE SOCIAL ISSUES THE DEMOCRATS PUSHED FORWARD NOT ONLY DO YOU NEED TO ACCEPT IT, IF YOU DON'T WE WILL CANCEL YOU YOU ARE EVIL AND MEAN IF YOU DON'T ACCEPT WHAT WE'RE SAYING.

A LOT OF WHAT HAPPENED WAS A REACTION TO THAT.

PEOPLE SAYING WHY ARE YOU GETTING ANGRY AT ME?

>> I THINK, TOO, BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS STRUGGLED WITH FACTIONS FOR DECADES.

DECADES.

THIS IS TRUE IN BOTH PARTIES.

I THINK THE REAL TEST FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTINUE TO GROW THE PARTY.

HOW DO WE EMBRACE THE ELEMENTS OF OUR PARTY THAT ARE TALKING LOUDER THAN OTHER ELEMENTS AND THEY HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO HAVE THAT BALANCED VOICE SO THEY CAN EXPAND THEIR APPEAL.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS HAD TO DO THAT.

WHEN PAT ROBERTSON AND RONALD REAGAN WERE AT IT DECADES AGO WHEN THE LIBERTY MOVEMENT STARTING MOVING MORE INTO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, IT WAS A PAINFUL PROCESS, BUT WE WRAPPED OUR ARMS AROUND A LARGER COALITION OF CONSERVATIVES.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK WE DO A MUCH BETTER JOB OF FINDING A COMMON VOICE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THAT IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEEDS TO DO.

SO WE'VE GOT PEOPLE UPSET OVER HERE AND LOUD AND WE'RE NOT HEARING THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT MIGHT CONNECT WITH MORE OF THE CENTER LEFT, MODERATE, CENTER RIGHT VOTERS THAT IN SOME ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN WITH THEM.

ANDY BESHEAR'S BOTH ELECTIONS THEY DECIDED TO GO WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THAT IS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

IT IS A PROCESS EVERY PARTY GOES THROUGH.

>> Renee: I'LL GET YOUR OPINION ON THAT.

>> WE NEED TO GET BACK TO OUR MESSAGING AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

I WAS THERE NOT TO AGE MYSELF, YOU KNOW.

THAT TRAIN HASN'T LEFT THE STATION.

I WAS THERE WHEN NEWT GINGRICH BROUGHT IN POLLSTERS TO GIVE HIS CANDIDATES TRAINING ON WORDS TO USE.

THE EASIEST EXAMPLE IS THE DEATH TAX INSTEAD OF THE INHERITANCE TAX THEY STARTED CALLING IT THE DEATH TAX.

WE NEED TO DO THAT AND PUT A FACE ON THEM AS WE DID WITH HADLEY DUVAL ON THE EXTREME ABORTION BAN THAT KENTUCKY HAS.

THOSE THINGS WORK, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT.

SO WE DEMOCRATS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE TO GET ELECTED AND TO DO THAT WE NEED TO PERSONIFY, PUT A FACE ON, MAKE SIMPLE THE ARGUMENTS WE HAVE.

AND I THINK WE DID THAT IN THE WORK THAT WAS DONE ON AMENDMENT 2.

AND SO KELSEY GETS REAL CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> AND YOU DID.

IT WAS A WELL MESSAGED CAMPAIGN.

BUT IN TERMS OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE THE WHOLE THING WAS A MISFIRE IN ANY OPINION, PRESIDENT BIDEN WHO I HAVE RESPECT FOR, I DON'T AGREE WITH HIM, HE STAYED IN TOO LONG AND HE SHOULD HAVE EXITED EARLIER SO THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY COULD HAVE HAD A PROCESS THAT WOULD HAVE INVOLVED EVERYONE IN THE PARTY SO THEY COULD HAVE UNIFIED BEHIND A SINGLE PERSON.

AND VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS THAT ENTHUSIASM WAS NOT THERE.

YOU SAW IN DISTRICTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, URBAN AREAS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY SHE UNDERPERFORMED JOE BIDEN'S NUMBERS AND THERE WAS NOT THAT BUY IN.

THEY'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEIR PARTY TO GEL AGAIN.

BUT I DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO OVERANALYZE IT PART TO HAVE WAS JUST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BUY IN PROCESS.

>> Renee: AND NOT BECAUSE OF RACISM THAT WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

>> I'M SURE THAT PLAYED A FACTOR IN SOME PEOPLE'S DECISIONS AND TO SAY THAT IT DIDN'T IS NOT TRUE.

I DO THINK THAT SHE WAS PUT IN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, YOU SAID PRESIDENT BIDEN HE STAYED IN FOR A LONGTIME.

BUT I THINK TO YOUR POINT, IN 2016 AND 2020, AND NOW IN 2024 THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE CANDIDATE EVERY TIME.

AND CURRENTLY DEMOCRATS ARE SEEN OR HAVE NOT DONE A GOOD JOB OF PROVING WE ARE NOT DEFENDERS OF A RIGGED SYSTEM.

AND PEOPLE WHENEVER WE GET UP THERE AND SAY LIKE I SAID THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING OR THESE THINGS, VOTERS DO NOT TRUST THAT -- THEY ARE NOT TRUSTING WHAT WE'RE SELLING.

THEY ARE NOT BUYING WHAT WE'RE SELLING.

THAT IS CREATING OBVIOUSLY ISSUES ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, BUT IT CREATES MAJOR HEAD WINS FOR HERE FOR ANYBODY THAT RUNS HERE IN KENTUCKY.

>> VOTERS DID NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO IT.

EVERY TIME THEY GO TO THE GROCERY THEY ARE REMINDED.

>> Renee: EGGS WERE JUST AS HIGH IN 2023 AND FOR ANDY BESHEAR WAS NOT THE OBSTACLE.

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE THINK THAT A GOVERNOR HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE COST OF GROCERIES.

KENTUCKY VOTERS ARE SMART THEY WILL HOP OVER THE BALLOT AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

AND I THINK THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT GOES BEYOND THE PURVIEW OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THEY KNOW THAT THOSE ARE BIGGER ISSUES.

>> Renee: SOME OF HIS ACTIONS WERE LEFT OF CENTER, RIGHT?

HE VETOED THE TRANS BILL.

HE HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL.

>> HE VETOED THE BILL THAT ALLOWED FOR THE SYSTEM OF INCOME TAXES.

>> Renee: BUT VOTED FOR HOUSE BILL 8.

>> AND HE TOOK CREDIT.

>> Renee: THE SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATION, RIGHT?

HE HAS COME OUT HEAVILY ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS THAT THE IS ANTITHETICAL TO WHERE A PLURALITY OF KENTUCKY VOTERS.

>> PEOPLE TRUST ANDY, THE GOVERNOR AS I SHOULD SAY WE ALL CALL HIM ANDY BECAUSE OF THAT TRUST.

BUT I THINK THE PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNOR IS ON THEIR SIDE.

AND THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAYBE AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE THING THAT HE THINKS BUT THEY KNOW EVERYDAY HE WAKES UP AND HE IS GOVERNING FOR THEM.

THEY UNDERSTAND HIS WHY AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS, IS WE HAVE TO OR ANYBODY THAT IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE OR SAYING HEY I WANT TO PUT MYSELF UP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE HAS TO COMMUNICATE THEIR WHY TO THE VOTERS AND WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEIR WHY, TOO.

AND DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW GOING BACK TO ECONOMIC POPULISM, THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING I'M NOT FEELING IT.

BUT THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING.

AND SO THERE IS A DISCONNECT THERE AND PEOPLE FEEL TALKED AT AND NOT LISTENED TO AND WE HAVE TO DO SOME REAL WORK TO GET BACK TO A DISCIPLINED MESSAGE AS A PARTY, AGAIN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL TO BE ABLE.

>> THE WRONG SIDE OF AN ISSUE LIKE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

I DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD BREAK THE LAW.

I BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD FOLLOW THE RULES.

I DO.

AND THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DO.

SO WHY IS IT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE -- WHY DID WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE PERCEIVED AS IN FAVOR OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

THAT'S CRAZY.

>> I HAVE TWO CITIES THAT WILL IGNORE THE DEPORTATION RULES.

THEY ARE NOT LEARNING THE LESSON.

THE MAYOR OF DENVER SAID I WILL GO TO JAIL TO MAINTAIN OUR STATUS AS A SANCTUARY STATUS INCLUDING PEOPLE IN PRISONS BEING DEPORTED FROM COUNTRIES THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY FROM.

DEMOCRATS THAT IS WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY ARE A PRO IMMIGRANT AND SPINNING OUR WHEELS ON THE SAME THING.

>> AND JOE BIDEN I'VE BEEN FRANK ABOUT JOE BIDEN.

IN FACT, I MADE RENEE LOOK UP FROM HER NOTES THE OTHER DAY.

WELL, FIRST WEEK IN JULY THIS YEAR WHEN I SAID THAT JOE BIDEN WILL GET OUT OF THE RACE.

AND I THOUGHT HE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT.

TWO YEARS AGO RIGHT NOW IS WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT.

AND ALLOWED THE PROCESS TO CHOOSE A NOMINEE.

PRIMARIES CHOOSE THE BEST CANDIDATES MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

AND IT'S INTERESTING ALL THE REAL ALL OF US WHO ARE JUNKIES AGREE WITH THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY PRIMARIES WASTE RESOURCES AND STUFF.

WE OVERCOME THAT BY COMING OUT WITH THE BEST CANDIDATE.

AND SO IF HE HAD DONE THAT AND ALLOWED THAT PROCESS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD SUCH A TRUNCATED ELECTION.

>> Renee: AND PERHAPS YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THE NOMINEE OF KAMALA HARRIS.

SHE WAS THE WEAKER CANDIDATE?

>> I'M SAYING WHOEVER OUR NOMINEE WAS WHETHER IT WAS VICE-PRESIDENT OR ANOTHER CANDIDATE, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RUN THEIR OWN CAMPAIGNS.

AND NOT BE FEDDERRED AND HELD TO THEIR INCUMBENCY.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT KILLED US.

CHANGE WILL WIN VIRTUALLY EVERY TIME.

>> THE SAME THING IF I BUY A NEW SET OF APPLIANCES AND BRING THEM INTO THE HOUSE AND MY WIFE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, GUESS WHAT SHE MAY NOT LIKE EVERY DECISION I MADE.

IF I TAKE HER TO THE STORE WITH ME AND LOOK AT THE REFRIGERATOR, I MEAN -- >> YOU'D NEVER HEAR US SAY TAKE OUR WIVES TO THE STORE.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE BUY IN THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PROCESS WHERE PEOPLE SAID YES THIS IS A GOOD DECISION AND THAT REALLY HURT THEM.

>> EVEN IF THEY HAD THAT, I THINK, AGAIN, KELSEY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC POPULISM AND THE ECONOMY THEY ARE OUT THERE IN WHETHER IT'S REALITY OR JUST PERCEPTION THE DEMOCRATS ARE PERCEIVED ON THE LEFT ON THE SOCIAL ISSUES.

ABORTION ESPECIALLY.

THE REASON YOU DID NOT SEE ABORTION PLAY LAST YEAR LIKE IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS THE ECONOMY IS VIEWED AS NOT DOING AS WELL WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR YOUR GROCERIES OR REPRESENTATIVE YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO GET AN ABORTION.

I THINK THAT REALLY HURT THE DEMOCRATS WHEN THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SOCIAL ISSUES BUT JAMES CAR VEL, IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID WHEN IT'S THAT DOME NANTD ALL THE OTHER ISSUES ARE OFF THE TABLE AND DEMOCRATS WILL STRUGGLE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WHENEVER IT COMES TO THAT ISSUE.

>> AND THE FASCIST STUFF DID NOT WORK.

DEMONIZING DONALD TRUMP THAT WAS ALREADY THERE.

PEOPLE HAD MADE THEIR MINDS UP, THAT THEY WOULD WE'RE OKAY WITH HIS OTHER ISSUES WHICH I'M SAYING SO NICELY WITH HIS BEING A LIAR, MA SONGNIST AND A RAPIST IF HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THE WAY THEY ARE THINK BEING IT, IMMIGRATION, CRIME, THE NOTION THAT WE WOULD TELL PEOPLE THERE ISN'T THAT MUCH CRIME IS CRAZY.

IF PEOPLE FEEL THERE'S A LOT OF CRIME THERE'S TOO MUCH CRIME.

AND OF COURSE, AS I SAID, I BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING THE LAW ANY CRIME IS TOO MUCH CRIME.

SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE CATCHING ON TO THAT.

AMONG THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CANDIDATES.

AND I THINK WE'LL DEAL WITH IT.

>> I SAW DEMOCRATIC POLLSTERS TALK ABOUT THIS AFTER THE ELECTION, DEMOCRATS TALKED ABOUT TALKING HEADS TALKED ABOUT IN THE LEAD UP TO THE ELECTION THE IMPORTANCE TO THE VOTERS ABOUT PROTECTING DEMOCRACY AND THREATS TO DEMOCRACY.

THE PROBLEM IS AND STEVE AND I HAVE WRITTEN ENOUGH POLLING TO KNOW IF YOU DON'T ASK A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE VOTERS ARE TELLING YOU.

AND IN THIS INSTANCE THE EXIT POLLING SHOWED THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO VOTED REPUBLICAN BECAUSE THEY HAD FEARS OF DEMOCRATS AND THE DEMOCRACY.

WANTING TO CHANGE THE RULES THAT PROTECT THE VOICE OF THE MINORITY IN CONGRESS.

AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

RATHER THEY ARE REAL OR THAT.

IN SOME CASES THEY WERE REAL THREATS AND SOME PERCEIVED THREATS BUT DEMOCRATS BOUGHT IN ON THE THREAT TO DEMOCRACY BECAUSE THEY WERE SEEING POLLING AND THEY PROBABLY TURNED OUT VOTES AGAINST THEM NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THREATS TO THE DEMOCRACY THOUGHT THE DEMOCRATS WERE THE THREAT?

>> I AM AN AN OPTIMIST AND THE GOOD SIDE OF THAT ARGUMENT IS PEOPLE HAVE FAITH AND TRUST IN OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.

WE ARE THE LONGEST SURVIVING DEMOCRACY IN THE HISTORY OF THE GLOBE.

AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF IT.

AND WE'RE CONFIDENT IT WILL ALWAYS BE THERE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT URGE.

JUST WAS SILLY.

AND I THINK THE SAME THING WITH FASCIST.

BECAUSE IT WAS MUSSOLINI WHO MADE THE TRAINS RUN ON TOP.

PEOPLE ARE OKAY WITH AN AUTHORITARIAN IF THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY WANT HIM TO DO.

>> TRUMP IS THE MOST DEFINISHED CANDIDATE IN U.S. HISTORY.

TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE THINGS ABOUT DONALD TRUMP THEY KNEW WHERE THEY WOULD BE ON TRUMP BEFORE KAMALA HARRIS WAS THE NOMINEE.

>> I WILL ASK YOU A QUESTION.

LIZ CHENEY WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT, ALONG WITH THE ROCK STARS, BUT DO YOU THINK IF GEORGE W. BUSH HAD SAID SOMETHING RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION IT WOULD HAVE HAD AN IMPACT?

>> NOT, I THINK PEOPLE'S OPINIONS ON TRUMP WERE BAKED IN?

>> STEVE?

I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL ON THAT.

>> Renee: WHY DO YOU THINK IT WOULD HAVE MATTERED?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MATTER THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TO TRUMP'S PERSONAL ISSUES SO I'M THINKING IT WOULDN'T HAVE.

BUT I WAS CURIOUS TO HEAR A REPUBLICAN VIEW ON THAT.

>> I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE SOLIDLY BEHIND PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP.

CBS, NEWS RELEASED A POLL TODAY AND REPUBLICANS ARE UNIFIED.

DEMOCRATS ARE TERRIFIED AND REPUBLICANS ARE UNIFIED IS WHAT THE POLL TOLD US.

I THINK THAT IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

I MEAN REPUBLICANS AND CERTAINLY THERE WERE SOME WHO DIDN'T LIKE DONALD TRUMP AND THERE WOULD BE INDIVIDUALS WHO SAID THAT.

BUT BOTTOM LINE REPUBLICANS AS A WHOLE THEY ARE READY, READY FOR DONALD TRUMP TO GO INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND START CHANGING THE COUNTRY AND CERTAINLY HIS ARRAY OF CABINET PICKS, SEEM TO SUGGEST THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT YOU ELUDED IN YOUR OPENING COMMENTS AND AP CATEGORIZED IT AS TRUMP 2.0, AN ECLECTIC PERSONALITIES I THOUGHT WAS GRACEFUL LANGUAGE.

GIVEN THE BACKGROUNDS OF SOME OF THESE FOLKS SUCH AS ROBERT KENNEDY, JR. AND HE IS A PRO-CHOICE, RIGHT, AND WHERE HE STANDS ON VACCINESES AND OTHER THINGS, HOW IS THIS REALLY GOING TO GO?

>> THINK TRUMP COMES FROM A BUSINESS BACKGROUND AND A TERM THAT HE IS FAMILIAR WITH IS DISRUPTION.

AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME AGENCIES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHERE PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP WILL WANT TO PUT SOME DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE AGENCY FROM THE TOP TO TRY AND EFFECT CHANGE.

HE HAS ELON MUSK AND VIF VIF OUT THERE WORKING OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT AND THEIR GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY PROJECT AND THEY WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OR CONGRESS MAY OR MAY NOT ACT ON.

BUT, I THINK, SOMEONE LIKE R.F.K., JR.

I THINK THAT THAT IS A SITUATION HE HAS BEEN VERY CRITICAL OF HHS.

EXTERNALLY.

AND TO HAVE HIM LEAD IT, HE'S GOING TO PUT DOWNWARD PRESSURE.

THE REAL BUSINESS OF RUNNING THE AGENCY AS MIKE KNOWS HAVING SERVED IN CONGRESS IS GOING TO BE THE DEPUTIES THE ULTIMATELY COME IN.

Dr. OZ IS GOING TO BE AT CMMS.

BUT.

>> Renee: MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES.

>> YES, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.

IT'S DISRUPTION AND YOU HAVE A FEW OF THESE APPOINTEES ARE GOING TO BE CONFIRMED AND I THINK THAT IS C THEY ARE THERE.

>> Renee: AND THE CELEBRITYISM.

HE SEEMS TO BE DRAWN TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A TV PERSONA AND SPEAK WELL OR PRESENT WELL OR LOOK GOOD ON TELEVISION, BUT MAY NOT HAVE THE BONEFIEDS AND THE QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN THE AGENCIES.

>> THE TIER BENEATH HIM THEY WILL BE HANDLING THE DATA AND THAT IS TRUE FOR ANY ADMINISTRATION.

A LOT ARE MANAGINGED NUTS AND BOLTS OF TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

>> Renee: THE POLICY.

>> HE IS GOING TO HELP DRIVE THE DAILY READY SET ON THE AGENCY.

AND YOU WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF THESE PICKS THAT ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATS ARE THEY JUSTIFIED IN BEING TERRIFIED?

>> YES, HE IS GETTING SYCOPHANTS TO DO HIS BIDDING.

PEOPLE THAT ARE UNQUALIFIED AND DO NOT WANT TO QUESTION HIM AT ALL.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HOPE THERE WILL BE DEPUTIES AND PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING OR TRY TO TALK SOME.

>> Renee: PERHAPS -- THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN 2.0.

>> IF YOU WANT TO GET IN AND START EFFECTUATING POLICY CHANGE, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP WILL NEED TO HAVE CONGRESS' APPROVAL ON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS HE WON'T.

AND WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT DAY ONE MOVES HE CAN MAKE IN THE ENERGY SECTOR, YOU KNOW HE'S HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IMMIGRATION, THERE ARE THINGS THAT HE CAN DO VERY EARLY ON IN HIS ADMINISTRATION TO SORT OF STOP THE CATCH AND RELEASE POLICY THAT HAS EXISTED SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND REINSTITUTE A REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY AND PEOPLE HAVE TO STAY IN MEXICO WHILE THEIR REQUEST TO COME TO AMERICA IS PROCESSED.

THERE ARE THINGS HE CAN JUST DO, RIGHT?

AND YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT VOCAL LEADERSHIP AT THE AGENCY LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MESSAGE IS SINKING IN.

AND HAVING THE CAPABLE DEPUTIES AND -- I'M SURE EVERY WHEN BARACK OBAMA WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT, WHEN JOE BIDEN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT, I'M SURE THERE WERE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE THAT SAID THIS IS THE LEAST QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.

AND THEY WERE STILL CONFIRMED.

AND SOME WHO ARE NOT CONFIRMED.

THAT IS THE WAY THE PROCESS WORKS.

I THINK IT IS A BOLD MOVE ON HIS PART.

>> YOU MENTIONED MY TIME IN CONGRESS I LEARNED MUCH MORE ABOUT THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN I WAS A PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE PEACE CORPS.

IT IS NOT CHANGED AT THE TOP THAT JUST CHANGES AUTOMATICALLY.

BUT WHAT WE NEED AS DEMOCRATS DURING THIS TRANSITION, IS NOT TO FOCUS ON THE CRAZY PEOPLE HE'S APPOINTING.

I MEAN IT'S GOOD FOR LAUGHS.

BUT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE RESULTS ARE GOING TO BE.

WE NEED TO FIND THE HADLEY DUVAL'S WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE CHANGES IN THEIR POLICIES.

AND WE WON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR.

BECAUSE WHEN THEY START DOING THE QUOTE DRACONIAN CUTS ELON MUSK, IS TALKING ABOUT A $2 TRILLION WHICH IS ALMOST A THIRD OF OUR FEDERAL BUDGET.

NOW, I'M READING HIS BIOGRAPHY AND HE APPARENTLY HAS A HISTORY IN HIS BUSINESSES WHICH HAS WORKED TO SET UNATTAINABLE GOALS.

AS THEY SAID ABOUT STEVE JOBS.

HE WOULD TRY TO BEND REALITY.

AND IT'S HELPED HIM.

HE SUCCEEDED BUT THAT IS IN PRIVATE BUSINESS.

IN THE GOVERNMENT WHERE WE ARE NOT PRODUCING CARS OR OTHER KINDS OF PRODUCTS, RATHER WE'RE PROVIDING SERVICES, THAT KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FOR EXAMPLE, IT DOESN'T WORK.

AND IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK FOR THESE CRAZIES WHO COME IN.

BUT WE CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON THE CRAZIES.

ALL THIS TIME WE WASTED ON MATT GAETZ, I MEAN TALKING ABOUT ALLOWING THEM TO SET THE AGENDA.

WHICH, I THINK, WAS PART OF TRUMP'S PLAN.

I THINK HE THOUGHT IT WAS FUN.

BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE GUY THINKS.

BUT ANYBODY AROUND HIM KNEW THAT THE GUY WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BUT GOD IT WAS FUN AND IT KEPT US -- >> ENTERTAINING ON C SPAN.

>> IT KEPT US.

>> PAM BONDI WILL BE A GREAT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> WE WERE LOOKING HERE AND THE MAGICIAN TRICK WATCH HERE WHILE HE PULLS THE RABBIT OUT OF HIS POCKET AND PUT IT IS IN THE HAT AND PULLS IT OUT OF THE HAT.

>> I THINK THE WORK OF ELON MUSK AND VIF VEHICLE RAMP SOUTH VIETNAMMY THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OUTLET FOR IT IN CONGRESS.

JAMES COMER WHO WILL REMAIN CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAS CREATED A PANEL WITHIN HIS COMMITTEE AND MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE OF GEORGIA IS GOING TO LEAD IT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY ITEMS.

AND I KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT I THINK HE ANNOUNCED THAT JULY 4, 2026 IS WHEN ELON MUSK AND RAMP SAMMY ARE TO HAVE THE FULL REPORT SUBMITTED THAT HAPPENS TO BE THE 250TH BIRTHDAY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

ALREADY CONGRESS IS STARTING TO STRUCTURALLY MAKE SOME NUDGES SO THAT THESE IMPORTANT PURSUITS OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT WILL HAVE A CLEAR PATHWAY TO COME IN AND BE HEARD.

AND AS I SAID, NOT EVERYTHING THAT HE WANTS TO DO IS GOING TO NEED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL BUT A LOT WILL.

LIKE HIS TAX CUTS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2025.

THAT IS 4.6 TRILLION WORTH OF TAX CUTS IF THOSE ARE NOT REUPPED BY THE CONGRESS, THAT'S GOING TO RAISE EVERYBODY'S TAXES IN THE COUNTRY.

JUST NOT TRILLION AIRS.

BUT IT WILL.

IT WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON EVERYBODY'S TAKE HOME TAXES IF THE TAX CUTS ARE NOT REUPPED FOR ANOTHER TERM.

>> Renee: YOUR RESPONSE?

>> NO, IT'S NOT MATH IT'S -- IT'S NOT THE HONEST REPRESENTATION OF HIS TAX POLICY.

HIS TAX POLICY JUST LIKE GEORGE W'S WAS WHERE THEY HAD TO SPEND DAYS FINDING THE TYPICAL FAMILY TO SHOW THAT THAT FAMILY WOULD SAVE MONEY.

WELL, THEY HAD TO HAVE A LEFT-HANDED MONKEY AS A PET TO QUALIFY FOR SOMETHING HE HAD IN THAT TAX CUT THAT WILDLY -- DON'T EVEN USE A PIECE OF PAPER AND A PENCIL, STEVE.

>> I DO IT ALL THE TIME.

>> FOR THIS IT'S EMBARRASSING THAT YOU ALL JUST WON'T ADMIT THAT IS WHERE THE MONEY IS SAVED BY RICH PEOPLE.

>> A NEW STORY FROM "POLITICO" THE BREAKS AFFECT INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS AND EVERYONE'S TAXES WOULD RISE IF THEY WERE ALLOWED TO LAPSE LAST AND.

>> EVERYBODY'S INCOME TAXES.

NOT EVERYBODY'S TAX BURDEN.

EVERYBODY IN AMERICA PAYS TAXES ALL DAY EVERYDAY.

I JUST PAID TAXES AT DINNER.

BECAUSE I PAID SALES TAX.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RICH DON'T PAY SALES TAX AS NEARLY A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THEIR INCOME AS THE RICH PEOPLE DO.

IT'S NOT FAIR.

>> OVER 50% OF THE COUNTRY DOESN'T PAY INCOME TAX.

>> THEY PAY TAXES ALL DAY LONG.

>> THEY GET MORE MONEY TAKEN OUT OF THEIR PAYCHECK AND THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HOLD IT.

>> THAT IS AN IMPORTANT POLICY THAT WE'LL SEE CONGRESS ACT ON QUICKLY TO BEGIN THAT EARLY AS HE BECOMES PRESIDENT TO START MOVING THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS DONE BY THE END OF 2025.

>> HE PROMISED THE BILLIONAIRES HE WAS GOING TO DO IT.

>> HE APPOINTED ALMOST ALL BILLIONAIRES AS CABINET HEADS AND DEMOCRATS NEED TO STARTED RIGHT NOW TALKING ABOUT THAT.

>> I WAS HOPING WE COULD AVOID RACE, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO AVOID THAT.

I WAS HOPING WE WERE ABLE TO AVOID CURSING WE NARROWLY AVOIDED THAT AND NOW IT'S THE CLASS WARFARE AND WHY THE DEMOCRATS STRUGGLED AT THE BALLOT BOXES BECAUSE IT IS JUST CLASS WARFARE.

EVERYBODY HAS TO BE PUT IN A BOX.

AND IT'S NOT JUST RECOGNIZING MY GROCERIES COST A LOT OF MONEY.

EVERYTHING I DO COSTS MORE.

RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT CAUSED DONALD TRUMP TO WIN.

AND TO NOT WIN A CLOSE RACE TO GET 312 ELECTORAL VOTES, THIS IS THE MESSAGING OF WHY THAT HAPPENED.

AND I HOPE IT'S PART OF YOUR INTERNAL REVIEW WHEN YOU TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE WIN AGAIN.

I WILL SAY RIGHT NOW WHEN ANDY BESHEAR LEAVES THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE I'M NOT SURE WHEN WE'LL SEE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT IN THE KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

IF HE DOESN'T START TAKING THE POSITION OF TRYING TO REACH OUT TO REPUBLICANS IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND FIND COMMON GROUND, RIGHT NOW, KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE RUNNING THIS STATE.

THEY HAVE CREATED THE ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS ALLOWED FOR THIS MASSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS TAKEN CREDIT FOR.

HE VETOED THE INCOME TAX REDUCTIONS BEFORE HE SIGNED THEM.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR.

BUT IF HE DOESN'T START ENGAGING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT ARE MOVING THIS STATE IN THE DIRECTION THAT KENTUCKIANS LIKE, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT SORT OF FUTURE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TRYING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE IS NOT GOING TO HAVE A REAL RECORD TO STAND BEHIND.

AND RUN A CAMPAIGN BASED ON REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

RIGHT NOW THAT'S ALL HE'S GOT.

>> I CAN'T STAND IT.

I CAN'T STAND HE IS POPULAR HE IS ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED GOVERNORS IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

>> I AGREE HE IS LIKED.

BUT THERE'S NO SUBSTANCE BENEATH THE SMILE.

HE NEEDS TO DO THINGS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THERE IS THE BLUE OVAL PLANTED COMING THAT WILL UNIONIZE.

THE PAPER MILL IN HENDERSON.

AND HIS ECONOMIC FOLKS -- >> INDULGE ME THE BLUE OVAL.

>> I HAVE BEEN.

>> LAST TIME.

>> THAT WAS THE ONE TIME HE WENT TO REPUBLICANS AND SAID WE HAVE A BIG DEAL HERE IT IS.

AND THEY WENT INTO DISCUSSION.

SPECIAL SESSION AND THEY PASSED A PACKAGE THAT MADE IT HAPPEN.

>> THEY WORKED TOGETHER AND THEY DID THAT TOGETHER.

>> THERE ARE MANY FRANKFORT POLITICIANS AND FOLKS WHO WANT TO THROW A WRENCH THAT ANDY BESHEAR WILL DO THEY ARE NOT COMING TO THE TABLE IN GOOD FAITH.

>> THEY DON'T KNOW WHO TO CALL TO NEGOTIATE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS NEVER ATTEMPTED TO REACH OUT TO -- >> ANDY BESHEAR IS DOING FINE.

>> Renee: TO THAT POINT ABOUT BEYOND ANDY BESHEAR WHAT DO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE?

YOUR ANSWER IS WHAT?

>> YEAH, GOING BACK TO OBVIOUSLY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL WE HAVE TO CHANGE COURSE OR SHIFT AND BE MORE DISCIPLINED ON WHAT OUR MESSAGE IS.

>> Renee: AT THE STATE LEVEL WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> IT RECRATES HEADWINDS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THERE ARE FOUR THINGS WHEN I TALK ABOUT IT, ONE IS WE HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT MESSAGE WHICH WE NEED COOPERATION ON AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

IN TERMS OF WHAT PEOPLE IDENTIFY AS THE DEMOCRATIC BRAND.

THE SECOND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RUNNING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE AND THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT OF, BY AND FOR THE DISTRICT WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE THE RIGHT LINES THAT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SAY.

HAVE THE TALKING POINTS THEY HAVE TO FEEL IT AND UNDERSTAND THOSE ISSUES.

NUMBER THREE, WE HAVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

THAT MEANS THAT WE NEED TO BE ORGANIZING YEAR-ROUND HAVING BASE BUILDING PROGRAMS AND BUILDING TRUST WITHIN COMMUNITIES THAT WE WISH TO VOTE FOR US.

AND THEN -- >> Renee: WHO ARE THOSE COMMUNITIES?

>> ALL OF THEM.

BLACK COMMUNITIES THAT IS ONE.

VOTERS FEEL THAT THEY ARE SOMETIMES TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE IN THE STATE LEVEL.

BUT IN ANY OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PLACES WE'RE LOSING, WE HAVE TO BE ORGANIZING YEAR-ROUND IN MANY OF THESE PLACES.

WE HAVE TO BE GIVING VOTERS A CHOICE AND RUNNING FOLKS EVERYWHERE.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO THE DISPLACED COAL MINOR WHO WAS MAKING $80,000 A YEAR STRUGGLING TO MAKE $8 AN HOUR AND I GET TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT WHITE PRIVILEGE BECAUSE WHERE IS MY PRIVILEGE.

HOW DO YOU MEET HIM WHERE HE IS.

>> THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST YOU AND I WOULD TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC POPULISM.

>> Renee: IF YOU SAY ECONOMIC POPULISM HE IS GOING TO SAY ONCE AGAIN THE COLLEGE EDUCATED.

>> THE BILLIONAIRES.

>> Renee: AND THE DISCONNECTED WOMAN WHO IS TELLING ME WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO THINK.

>> BEING THERE TO LISTEN AND TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

WE'RE NOT DOING THAT IN ENOUGH PLACES THAT IS FIRST OFF.

SECOND OFF, IS WE NEED TO BE TALKING MORE ABOUT HOW BILLIONAIRES RUN THE SHOW.

WE KNOW LIKE I SAID 60% OF AMERICANS ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND WHILE WE CAN'T AFFORD GROCERIES LIKE CORPORATE PROFITS ARE SOARING.

I THINK I HAVE THE NUMBERS HERE.

C.E.O.S OF MAJOR CORPORATIONS MAKE 300 TIMES MORE THAN THEIR AVERAGE EMPLOYEES.

ALL OF THIS GROWTH, THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING THAT IS NOT FELT ON THE GROUND.

AND SO WHENEVER WE'RE MESSAGE BEING THAT, AGAIN, THE DEMOCRATS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AREN'T DOING IT IN A DISCIPLINED WAY HERE IT'S WHEN PEOPLE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL WHO DO I TRUST?

THEY ARE DEFAULTING TO WHAT THEY VOTE FOR NATIONALLY.

BECAUSE I DID NOT GET TO THE FOURTH THING WE NEED IS RESOURCES TO COMMUNICATE AT SCALE AND WE ARE BEING OUTSPENT IN MANY RACES.

>> Renee: IN THE MESSAGING YOU DID FOR YOU WERE PART OF THE DEFEND OUR SCHOOLS, SIMPLE MESSAGE.

BUT WHAT YOU'VE SAID DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AS SIMPLE AS WHAT YOU DID FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO.

>> CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS ARE DIFFERENT AND I THINK WE HAD ALL FOUR THINGS.

WE HAD THE RIGHT MESSAGE AND THE MESSENGERS.

YOU NEVER SAW ME TALK ABOUT IT.

WE USED LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS IN EVERY COMMUNITY WE ORGANIZED IN.

THREE WE DID HAVE RESOURCES AND FOUR WE MET PEOPLE WHERE WE ARE.

WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF EDUCATION TO SAY LOOK, YOU MAY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOL BUT WE KNOW THAT VOUCHERS WILL EGG ASKER BAIT THAT PROBLEM IF WE'RE STARTING FROM THE GROUND UP THAT GRASSROOTS BUILDING, WE HAVE TO HAVE ALL FOUR AND I THINK WE HAD ALL FOUR ON AMENDMENT 2.

>> FROM A HISTORICAL STANDPOINT, THINKING ABOUT KENTUCKY AND HOW KENTUCKY VOTES AND THE SUPER MAJORITY, REPUBLICANS HAVE IN THE LEGISLATURE, REMEMBER UP UNTIL THE 80s, KENTUCKY ELECTIONS WERE HELD ON ODD YEARS.

AND KEPT OUT OF THE NATIONAL POLITICS.

KEPT US FROM HAVING A NATIONAL WAVE HAVE AN IMPACT AND I CHECKED WITH AL CROSS TODAY.

BECAUSE MY MEMORY WAS THAT A SPEAKER HAD PUSHED FORWARD THE MOVE FROM ODD TO EVEN YEARS BECAUSE HE WANTED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

IN THE LATE 70s.

AND WHAT AL POINTED OUT TO ME TODAY HIS REPORTING OVER THE YEARS, SAYS THAT ACTUALLY IT WAS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS A GROUP WHO WANTED TO HAVE MORE DISTANCE FROM BEING ON THE BALLOT WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THEREFORE NOT HAVING RISEN OR FALLEN WITH THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR.

SO THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, THOUGH FOR DEMOCRATS, WAS ALL OF OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS BECOME NATIONALIZED.

THE NUMBER OF VOTERS CHANGES.

THE ACTUAL VOTERS ARE DIFFERENT.

HOLD ON.

SHE ALREADY TOLD YOU.

ALL THE ADDITIONAL -- THE PEOPLE VOTING ARE DIFFERENT IN A NATIONAL ELECTION.

AND I WORRY SOMETIMES AND I TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT THE HISTORY, THAT I COME OFF AS OLD.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS BEING THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO HAVE NONCONSECUTIVE TERMS SINCE GROVER CLEVELAND.

AND I WORRY ABOUT THE PARALLELS BECAUSE I KNEW GROVER CLEVELAND.

GROVER CLEVELAND WAS A FRIEND OF MINE.

AND DONALD TRUMP IS NO GROVER CLEVELAND.

>> I WAS GOING TO ADD -- >> Renee: BEFORE THE END OF THE SHOW.

>> ADD TO YOUR COMMENT LOCAL OFFICIALS WERE ALSO ELECTED IN ODD NUMBERED YEARS THE LAST ELECTION 1993 AND THEY MOVED ON TO AN EVEN YEAR CYCLE AND NOW WE HAVE A SEA OF REPUBLICANS THAT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

TO YOUR POINT, I WASN'T GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU.

>> ALL LOCAL ELECTIONS.

>> WITH YOU KNOW, MALICE.

I WAS GOING TO ADD TO YOUR POINT THERE ARE TWO OLD MEN IN THE ROOM.

I WON'T WEAR UT ORANGE.

>> Renee: WE'RE GOING TO SKIP OVER WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOW SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION ARE POISED TO BE IN PROMINENT POSITION AND YOU CAN WATCH THOSE CONVERSATIONS ON-LINE.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 THAT WAS DEFEATED 65% SAID NO, BUT WE SEEM TO HEAR STILL CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN SOME WAY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS IS THERE STILL A PATH FORWARD WITH THIS?

GIVEN WHERE THINGS STAND WITH THE COURTS.

>> THERE IS ALWAYS A PATH FORWARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE EDUCATION BETTER FIT THE CHILDREN THAT NEED IT.

KENTUCKY VOTERS SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR.

THEY DIDN'T APPROVE OF THAT AMENDMENT.

AND IT WASN'T CLOSE.

IT WASN'T CLOSE.

HOWEVER, I THINK THAT YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WHO ARE FOCUSED LIKE A LASER BEAM I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE HELP CHILDREN GET THE MOST OUT OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE?

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THOSE PATHWAYS ARE.

I'M SURE LEGISLATORS ARE THINKING ABOUT.

IT'S NOT JUST YOU ROLL OUT A LIST.

IT TAKES TIME.

AND I THINK EVERY SESSION THERE'S BEEN SEQUENTIAL LEGISLATION DEALING WITH HOW SCHOOLS ARE EDUCATING OUR KIDS AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE.

EVERY SESSION WE'LL SEE SOMETHING THAT TOUCHES THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DOMAIN.

I DON'T KNOW THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE OFF THE PLATE.

THOSE ARE SCHOOLS CREATED WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IT'S BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

I THINK THE SUPREME COURT MAYBE HAS A CHALLENGE DETERMINING THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ALTOGETHER ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THEY MIGHT PICK APART SOME OF THE FUNDING LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED AROUND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

BUT I THINK THAT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT COULD OVER TIME BE AN OPTION.

AND SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN A CHARTER SCHOOL IN INNER-CITY DETROIT AND SEE THE IMPACT THAT THAT FACILITY HAD ON THE FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IT IS A VIABLE SOLUTION.

AND I THINK THE MESSAGE RIGHT NOW, PARTICULARLY FROM PRESIDENT STIVERS IS WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN TROUBLE AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE PLACES WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF WE SAW ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THAT.

>> THE ONE THING YOU DID NOT SEE DURING THE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR, WAS THE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OPPOSED TO AMENDMENT 2, BUT IT WAS OPPOSED TO AMENDMENT 2 THERE WAS NOT TALK ABOUT OTHER THAN GIVE US MORE MONEY THERE WAS NOT TALK ABOUT HOW TO HELP IMPROVE SCHOOLS.

AND THAT IS WHERE THE DEBATE NEEDS TO GO NOW.

AND I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IF EDUCATION UNIONS AND DEMOCRATS REALIZED THAT REPUBLICANS AREN'T OUT TO LIKE WITH WEIRD VENDETTA AGAINST EDUCATORS.

WE HAVE DIFFERING IDEAS HOW TO IMPROVE EDUCATION BUT EVERYBODY WANTS SCHOOLS TO BE BETTER FOR OUR KIDS.

AND I THINK THAT IF WE CAN NOW THAT AMENDMENT 2 IS GONE, IF EVERYBODY CAN COME TO THE TABLE REPUBLICANS STILL HAVE IDEAS.

CHEATER CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE STILL HANGING OUT THERE.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE MORE CREATIVE IDEAS HOW TO FUNCTION INSIDE THE SYSTEM WE HAVE AND I HOPE THE DEMOCRATS WILL COME TO THE TABLE AND REALIZE THERE ARE A LOT OF PARENTS UNHAPPY WITH THE STATUS QUO.

AND THAT REGARDLESS OF THE VOTE AMENDMENT 2 THERE IS A DESIRE FOR CHANGE AND THE DESIRE TO BE CREATIVE IN HOW WE EDUCATE KIDS AND MODERNIZE AND CATCH UP WITH SOMETHING THAT OTHER STATES DO.

AND THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY IF DEMOCRATS AND EDUCATORS CHOOSE TO TAKE IT TO WORK WITH REPUBLICANS TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE MOVE THE BALL FORWARD POST ELECTION WITHOUT AMENDMENT 2 ON THE TABLE.

I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> Renee: YOU NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> THERE ARE ISSUES LIKE OPEN ENROLLMENT, OPEN BORDERS THINGS THAT COULD WORK WITHIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO IF A CHILD IS IN A SCHOOL THAT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THEM FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS MORE FLEXIBLE TO GIVE AN EASIER EXIT POINT FOR A CHILD THAT NEEDS TO BE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND ALSO PART-TIME ENROLLMENT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE HOME SCHOOLED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND MAYBE THERE'S CURRICULUM AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

MAYBE CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW EXTERNAL ACCESS BACK INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

YOU'VE GOT DIFFERENT POLICIES THAT COULD MAKE IT GOOEY OR MORE PORTABLE AND THE GOOEYER HE MAKE TO EDUCATION GIVES THE PARENTS MORE OF A RIGHT FIT.

>> 65% OF THE PEOPLE VOTED NO BUT THE FIRST AD WE RAN THE ENTIRE TIME AND WHAT WE WOULD SAY IS WE NEED TO INVEST IN BETTER IDEAS THAT WORK AND WE DID GIVE IDEAS.

UNIVERSE TALL PRE-K AND FUNDING SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.

AND THOSE ARE THE THREE MAIN ONES.

>> IT'S MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.

IT'S NOT STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND.

>> WHY CAN'T BE DO BOTH?

>> UNIVERSAL PRE-K IS A HARD THINGS YOU HAVE SCHOOLS THAT ARE FRANKLY FROM A FACILITY STANDPOINT, AREN'T READY TO TAKE THAT.

IT IS A GREAT CONVERSATION.

I MEAN EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR CHILD TO BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

AND THE KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES RELEASED A REPORT IN THE LAST WEEK A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF KIDS ARE NOT READY FOR KINDERGARTEN HAS GONE UP.

IT IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO SOLVE.

BUT THAT IS A CASE WHERE GOVERNOR BESHEAR COULD GO SIT DOWN WITH THE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND SAY OKAY WE HAVE THIS ISSUE.

WHAT ARE THINGS WE CAN AGREE ON TO SOLVE IT?

BECAUSE IF HE WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THOSE DECISIONS, HE NEEDS TO GO SIT IN THE ROOM WITH THE FOLKS THAT TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Renee: LAST POINT BEFORE LEADERSHIP.

GO AHEAD.

I DID WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SENATE LEADERSHIP AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN THE SENATE G.O.P.

THERE WAS THINKING THAT PERHAPS JULIE ROCKY ADAMS MIGHT HAVE TAKEN OVER THE POSITION OF MAJOR FLOOR LEADER.

DAY MON THAYER SAID HE WOULD PREFER HE WAS ADVOCATING FOR HER.

WHAT HAPPENED?

NO SHADE AGAINST MAX WISE.

>> I THINK THEY BOTH WOULD EXCEL AT THE POSITION.

>> Renee: DID SHE TAKE HER NAME OUT OF CONTENTION?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT PRIVY TO THE BACK ROOM OPERATIONS OF THE CAUCUS, I THINK MAX CAME OUT AS THE NEW FLOOR LEADER AND HE DID A GREAT JOB.

IT IS A HARD JOB AS WE KNOW I'M SURE THAYER CAN TELL YOU AND McCONNELL CAN TELL YOU, YOU ARE NOT VOTING AND SPEAKING FOR YOURSELF YOU'RE SPEAKING FOR THE BODY.

AND DAMON AND THE GREAT TRADITION OF PEOPLE LIKE MITCH McCONNELL, DAVID WILLIAMS, HE WAS A GUY WHO PUFF HIS CHEST OUT AND TAKE SHOTS FOR THE REST OF THE CAUCUS SO THE REST OF THE CAUCUS COULD THRIVE BEHIND HIM BECAUSE THEY COULD DO AND SAY TO OPERATE AS LEGISLATORS AND WIN REELECTION.

MAX IS IN A SAFE DISTRICT.

AND HE'S GOT A GOOD HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS.

HE IS LIKED.

HE IS IN A POSITION HE COULD EXCELL AT THAT ROLE.

AND JULIE IS IN POSITION TO WHERE SHE WOULD HAVE -- THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TIMES SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN A BIND IN HER SUBURBAN DISTRICT IT MIGHT HAVE AND I THINK JULIE IS SOMEONE IN THE CAUCUS.

>> Renee: OR IS SHE GOING TO RUN FOR MAYOR?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

MAX WILL DO A GREAT JOB WITH THAT PART OF THE ROLE OF HAVING TO PUFF YOUR CHEST OUT AND TAKE ARROWS HE WILL EXCEL AT THAT.

>> Renee: AND ROBBY MILLS IS THE CAUCUS CHAIR.

YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> IT IS A GREAT LEADERSHIP TEAM.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ROOM WHEN THEY CAST THE VOTES.

MAX AND JULIE ARE INCREDIBLE LEGISLATORS THEY FIGHT HARD FOR THEIR DISTRICTINGS THEY ARE WELL SPOKEN.

AND ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Renee: SOME WOULD SAY QUESTION WHY THERE IS NOT A FEMALE IN LEADERSHIP AS THERE HAD BEEN AND THERE HAD BEEN FOR MANY YEARS, KATIE STEIN.

>> ELIZABETH TORRE.

>> Renee: ELIZABETH TORRE WHO WE LOST A FEW WEEKS AGO.

LET'S TALK ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT THAT BEFORE WE MOVE ON?

>> THE ONLY THING TRES SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SENATOR WISE TAKING INCOMING ARROWS AND THAT MAKES ME NERVOUS BECAUSE THAT MEANS THERE ARE ANTICIPATED ARROWS THAT WILL BE COMING THEY WILL BE DOING SOMETHING.

>> THE FUNCTION OF BEING IN LEADERSHIP.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT.

>> WE'LL SEE.

>> STADIUM BOW COULD TALK ABOUT THAT IF HE WERE HERE.

>> HE HAS TAKEN A LOT OF ARROWS.

>> ON THE HOUSE SIDE PAM STEVENSON BECOMING THE MINORITY LEADER, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN AND SHE IS, OF COURSE, CAREER ATTORNEY IN THE MILITARY.

AND BRIGHT AS SHE CAN BE.

AND GOSH SO COMMITTED.

AND A PREACHER LITERALLY HAS A PULPIT.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THE OTHER LEADERS.

>> Renee: AL GENTRY.

AND LINDSEY BURKE.

>> I THINK THEY WILL DO A TERRIFIC JOB.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THEIR ROLE AND HOW WILL THEY OPERATE WITH A CAUCUS OF 20?

>> TO ALLOW THE 20 THAT WE HAVE TO DO THE BEST JOB THEY CAN FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS BY PROVIDING SUPPORT, BOTH CREATIVELY FROM A LEGISLATIVE STANDPOINT, AND THE DETAILS THEY NEED TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

>> AND TO SPEAKER OSBORNE'S CREDIT THERE HAVE BEEN BIG BILLS OUT OF THE HOUSE THAT HAVE HAD DEMOCRAT COSPONSORS AND THEY HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PUSHING THE LEGISLATION.

AND I THINK THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT WHEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS COME TOGETHER ON IDEAS THAT MATTER.

>> Renee: EXCEPT MAYBE NOT THE BUDGET PROCESS.

>> THERE ARE INSULIN OTHER ISSUES WHERE YOU HAVE HAD ACTIVE BIPARTISAN SPONSORS.

>> MOMNIBUS BILL.

>> WHEN THEY CAN AGREE ON POLICY THEY DON'T CARE WHO GETS CREDIT FOR.

>> Renee: WE HAVE HEARD LEADER STEVENSON SAY THAT A.I.

IS AN AREA SHE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS AND WE KNOW THERE'S BEEN A TASK FORCE ON THAT AND JOSH BRAY HAS BEEN A PART OF THAT.

THAT COULD BE AN ISSUE WE SEE MOVEMENT ON.

WITH 50 SECONDS LEFT.

LAST WORD TO KELSEY COOTS ABOUT HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE NEXT SESSION?

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW LEADERS THAT ARE COMING IN.

I THINK WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN TO BUILD BACK A BUILD A CAUCUS PROGRAM TO GET READY FOR 2026.

AND JUST LIKE FORMER CONGRESSMAN WARD SAID, WE KNOW THEY WILL BE UP THERE DOING THE BEST FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND CONTINUING TO BEAT THE DRUM TO BUILD KENTUCKY THAT LEADS FOR ALL.

>> AND JOSHUA CAT KINS TOOK -- WATKINS TOOK THE SEAT.

SO THERE'S GOOD FOLKS COMING IN.

>> Renee: OKAY.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT ALL AND WE WILL HAVE MORE IN THE WEEKS TO COME AND THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM THE FIRST MONDAY AFTER THE NEW YEAR AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT ON KENTUCKY EDITION.

TAKE GOOD CARE.