[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: NATIONAL POLITICS.

IT’S NOW BEEN MORE THAN 100 DAYS SINCE THE START OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S SECOND TERM.

AND IT’S BEEN AN EVENTFUL HUNDRED DAYS OF TARIFFS, TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, AN UP-AND-DOWN STOCK MARKET, CONTROVERSIAL CUTS TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, MIGRANT ROUNDUPS, CONTINUED FIGHTING IN UKRAINE AND GAZA, AND MUCH MORE.

WE’LL TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT ALL OF THIS IS HAVING, AND WE’LL LOOK AHEAD TO AN OPEN U.S. SENATE RACE, AND AN OPEN U.S. HOUSE RACE IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT, NEXT YEAR IN KENTUCKY.

TO DISCUSS THIS, WE’RE JOINED IN OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO BY: KC CROSBIE, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR; JOHN YARMUTH, A DEMOCRAT, AND FORMER CONGRESSMAN IN THE THIRD DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY; ANDY WESTBERRY, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY; AND JONATHAN MILLER, DEMOCRAT AND FORMER KENTUCKY STATE TREASURER; 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 OF OUR GUESTS.

AS WE SAID THE U.S. AND CHINA HAVE AGREED TO PAUSE THER TRADE WAR FOR 90 DAYS WITH BOTH SIDES LOWERING TARIFFS.

THE 145% U.S.

TARIFF RATE WILL FALL TO 30% AND CHINA AGREED TO LOWER THE TARIFF RATE TO 10%.

THE DEAL IS WELCOME NEWS TO RAND PAUL HE MET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS IN LOUISVILLE TODAY TO HEAR THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT TRUMP'S TARIFFS.

OUR JUNE JUNE WAS THERE JUNE LEFFLER WAS THERE AND HAS THIS REPORT.

>> PAUL RESPONDED TO REPORTERS NOT LONG AFTER THE HAD DEAL WITH CHINA WAS ANNOUNCED.

>> IF IT'S LOWERING TARIFFS IT'S GOOD, IF IT RAISES TARIFFS IS BAD EVEN WITH CHINA.

>> THE AGREEMENT WITH CHINA IS NOT THE LAST.

>> CHINA IS THE NATION WE HAVE MORE OF AN ADVERSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY OTHER COUNTRY RIGHT NOW THAN MAYBE RUSSIA.

AND I THINK WHAT YOU ARE FINDING, THOUGH, IS THAT IF WE WERE TO CUTOFF TRADE WITH CHINA IT WILL HURT CHINA, BUT IT'S GOING TO HURT US, TOO.

>> DO YOU TRUST THE PRESIDENT AND HIS TACTICS.

>> I WOULD PREFER WE WERE NOT PUTTING TARIFFS ON.

>> PAUL URGED COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS TO STEP IN AND ROLLBACK TRUMP'S TARIFFS.

>> THE KEY FALL LISTSY IS THOSE WHO ARE FOR TARIFFS SAY WE'RE BEING RIPPED OFF OTHER COUNTRIES ARE INARING US OFF YOU TRADE WITH WALMART, YOU TRADE WITH TARGET, YOU TRADE WITH AMAZON YOU BUY THINGS IF THOSE THINGS WERE MADE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND YOU BUY THEM, YOU STILL VOLUNTARILY THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD DEAL.

>> MONDAY PAUL MET WITH LOUISVILLE'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHO RELAYED THEIR CONCERNS TO THE SENATOR.

>> WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS, HEALTHCARE, WE HAD OFFICE FURNITURE IN THE ROOM, MANUFACTURING, WE HAD THE BOURBON INDUSTRY IN THE ROOM.

AND THE UNCERTAINTY ITSELF CREATES CHALLENGES.

WILL MY SUPPLIER HAVE PRODUCTS FOR ME TO SELL?

90 DAYS FROM NOW?

THOSE ARE ALL QUESTIONS THAT HAVE ARISEN.

IN SOME CASES WE'VE SEEN PRODUCTS TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES THAT IS THE CASE WITH BOURBON IN CANADA.

NOW, THE BOURBON INDUSTRY CANNOT SELL THEIR PRODUCTS IT IS NOT EVEN CONSUMERS IN CANADA HAVE A CHOICE TO PAY MORE THEY CAN'T PURCHASE IT IN CANADA.

>> PAUL SAYS TARIFFS ARE GETTING IN THE WAY OF A FREE AND FAIR ECONOMY.

>> YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO LIVE WHERE THE ONLY WAY YOUR BUSINESS CAN SUCCEED IS BY HIRING LOBBYISTS AND TRYING TO CONVINCE SOMEBODY TO GIVE YOU AN EXEMPTION.

CHINA APPLE GOT AN EXEMPTION FOR THE iPHONE BUT THE TRILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS AND THEY HAVE THE LEVERAGE.

WHAT IF YOU SELL TOASTERS IMPORTING THEM FROM CHINA AND YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND PEOPLE LIKE AND BUY YOUR TOASTERS BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A LOBBYIST THEN YOUR BUSINESS GETS CRUSHED AND THE BIGGER BUSINESSES DON'T.

HAVING A HODGEPODGE OF THINGS WHERE YOU CAN GET AN EXEMPTION IF YOU HAVE AN EXPENSIVE LOBBYIST IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> KENTUCKY CARMAKERS FACE A COMPLICATED TARIFF SYSTEM, THIS MONTH 25% TAFER RIFFS ON IMPORTED AUTO PARTS WENT INTO EFFECT.

THOUGH THE INDUSTRY LOBBIED FOR REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THOSE PARTS.

FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, JUNE FOR THAT AND THAT IS WHERE WE'LL START WITH START WITH DEVELOPMENTS TODAY NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT AS HE GAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND WE'LL ZOOM OUT.

LET'S START THE CONVERSATION THERE.

TO YOU K.C.

CROSBIE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

WHEN YOU HEAR SENATOR RAND PAUL TALK ABOUT HIS VIEW ON TARIFFS HE PREFER THERE NOT BE TARIFFS AND MANY MEMBERS IN KENTUCKY'S DELEGATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE KIND OF AGREE.

WHERE SHOULD THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BE TRYING TO CONVINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP ON WHAT TRADE POLICY WOULD BE BEST BENEFICIAL PARTICULARLY FOR A STATE LIKE KENTUCKY WITH A LOT ON THE LINE?

>> THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY WE ARE IN LINE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS POLICIES.

I WAS HERE SEVERAL TIMES DURING CAMPAIGN SEASON AND ONE THING WE TALKED ABOUT YOU KNOW WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP STANDS, WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO WHEN ELECTED AND THIS IS ONE OF THE TOOLS HE HAD AND HE TALKED ABOUT OFTEN DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

AND SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE TO ANYBODY.

WHAT IS A SURPRISE WE ARE ALREADY GETTING FRAMEWORK THIS QUICKLY FROM COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA.

WE SAW THE U.K. COME UP WITH THE FRAMEWORK FOR AN AGREEMENT.

THINGS ARE MOVING QUICKER.

WE ALL KNEW DURING THE CAMPAIGN HE WAS RUNNING FOR AND HE WON ON THIS MESSAGE.

>> Renee: I WILL CONTINUE TO CALL YOU CONGRESSMAN.

IN AN HOUR LONG INTERVIEW WITH TIME MAGAZINE APRIL 22, HE CAST HIS FIRST THREE MONTHS AS AN UNBRIDLED SUCCESS PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND HE SAID JUST WHAT KC SAID I'M DOING EXACTLY WHAT I CAMPAIGNED ON.

WHY IS IT A SURPRISE PARTICULARLY TO DEMOCRATS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING OR TO SOME REPUBLICAN SUPPORTERS?

>> THE PROBLEM WITH WHAT HE IS DOING IS THAT HE DOES ONE THING ONE DAY AND THEN A DIFFERENT THING THE NEXT DAY.

HE CHANGES COURSE WILLY-NILLY ALL BY HIS INSTINCT AS HE ADMITS.

THE OTHER DAY HE SAYS I THINK 80% SEEMS LIKE A GOOD TARIFF RATE.

AND ANOTHER DAY LATER HE AGREES TO 30%.

THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS NO CERTAINTY.

THIS IS CHAOS VIRTUALLY EVERY ECONOMIST THAT YOU WILL TALK TO SAYS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HURT THE ECONOMY IT'S GOING TO HURT INDIVIDUALS, IT'S GOING TO RAISE PRICES.

AND, AGAIN, IN 16 YEARS OF SERVING IN CONGRESS ALL I HEARD FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS ALL WE WANT OUT OF GOVERNMENT IS STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY.

AND THEY ARE GETTING EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF THAT FROM DONALD TRUMP.

>> Renee: Mr. WESTBERRY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS YOUR MAIDEN VA ONLY.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

LET'S GET TO THAT.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY LIKES PREDICTABILITY AND WE'VE SEEN WAFFLING FROM THE PRESIDENT ON TRADE POLICY AND OTHER THINGS.

MAKE THE POINT.

>> WHAT KC SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS CLEAR WHAT HE INTENDED TO DO.

HE WAS ELECTED TO SHAKE THE SYSTEM UP AND GO GOES THE STATUS QUO.

THESE ARE NEGOTIATING TACK TICKETS.

THIS IS FRAMEWORK THERE'S ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS NOTHING IS SET IN STONE.

AND I DISAGREE WITH CONGRESSMAN YARMUTH.

HE IS NOT GOING TO BE THE STATUS QUO.

IS IT THE TRADITIONAL LINE OF NEGOTIATIONS AND WHATNOT?

NO.

IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS A DIFFERENT CANDIDATE AND HE IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PRESIDENT.

AND HE'S PRODUCING.

LOOK AT THE MARKETS THEY HAVE BEEN SKYROCKETING TODAY.

THEY SKYROCKETED WHEN WE HAD THE BRITAIN FRAMEWORK CAME OUT AS WELL.

HE IS GETTING RESULTS.

>> Renee: THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS WHEN THE STOCK MARKET HAS DONE THE OPPOSITE OF SKYROCKETING.

Mr. MILLER WHAT DO YOU THINK?

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS TRUMP'S 100 DAYS IN OFFICE?

>> THIS IS NOT MY MAIDEN TRIP ON THIS SHOW BUT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT I WILL SAY THAT I STAND WITH RAND PAUL.

WHEN IT COMES TO TARIFFS AND MITCH McCONNELL WHEN IT COMES TO TARIFFS.

I THINK IT IS A REFLECTION OF VERY, VERY CHAOTIC 120 DAYS WHEREVER WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND I AGREE WITH CONGRESSMAN YARMUTH THAT WHAT WE'VE GOT TO HAVE IS SOME SENSE OF REGULAR ORDER AND CERTAINTY AND BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO INVEST MONEY IN A PLANT OR IN A WORKFORCE.

AND WHEN THINGS KEEP ON JERKING BACK AND FORTH, THE MARKET UP A THOUSAND POINTS THE MARKET DOWN A THOUSAND POINTS TARIFFS UP, TARIFFS DOWN, IT BECOMES LESS SECURE FOR BUSINESSES TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO INVEST THEIR RESOURCES AND MONEY.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS LEARNED THE LESSON FROM EARLIER THAT THESE HIGH TARIFFS HIS LIB SLATION DAY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A GOOD POLICY, BUT I WON'T PUT IT PAST HIM THAT HE HASN'T LEARNED HIS LESSON.

>> I THINK IT'S FUNNY USING THE WORD CHAOS TO DESCRIBE PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE ONLY CHAOS I SEE IS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.

70% OF THE AMERICANS DO NOT AGREE WITH THE DIRECTION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WON THE ELECTION BASED ON WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO LIKE TARIFFS AND LIKE THE BORDER.

YOU CAN ARGUE THE STOCK MARKET IS UP AND DOWN.

WE'VE SEEN JOBS POSITIVE JOB REPORTS, FEW MONTHS IN A ROW NOW.

I MEAN WE SAW WHERE INTEREST RATES WEREN'T LOWERED BECAUSE THE FEDS FEEL LIKE THE ECONOMY IS STRONG.

AND SO I LOVE THAT YOU USE THE TERM CHAOS TO DESCRIBE PRESIDENT TRUMP THE ONLY CHAOS I SEE IS WITH THE DEMOCRATS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO ANSWER TO THIS.

HE KEEPS WINNING EVERYTHING HE IS DOING IT'S VERY PLANNED OUT AND TACTICAL.

HE MADE PROMISES AND HE IS KEEPING HIS PROMISES.

SO THE CHAOS I SEE IS MORE FROM THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND NOT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO GET TO THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A PR PROBLEM I WANT TO GET TO THE POINT THAT THE PRESIDENT RAN ON LOWERING EGG PRICES AND TWEETED THAT GAS WAS $1.99 A GALLON AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE SAW IT.

FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT KITCHEN TABLE POCKETBOOK ISSUES RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT FEELING THE POSITIVITY THAT PERHAPS MAYBE YOU ARE CHARACTERIZING IT AS.

>> I DO THE GROCERY SHOPPING WHEN I AM IN TOWN FOR MY FAMILY.

AND I AM SEEING THAT.

I AM THE PERSON WHO GOES TO THE GROCERY STORE AND I'M SEEING EGGS ARE DOWN.

I FILL UP GAS, AND THE GAS PRICES ARE DOWN SINCE WE DISCUSSED THIS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN FOUR MONTHS AND THE CHANGES WE'VE SEEN IN FOUR MONTHS HAVE BEEN POSITIVE.

AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING A GROWING ECONOMY.

AGAIN JOBS, AND ALL THE TRENDS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I DISAGREE WITH YOU.

I AM THE MAIN GROCERY SHOPPER IN MY HOUSEHOLD AND I ABSOLUTELY SEE MY BILLS GOING DOWN.

AM I PAYING $1.99 FOR GAS?

NOT THE GAS I NUT MY CAR BUT IT IS LESS THAN IT WAS EIGHT MONTHS AGO THAT IS FOR SURE.

>> Renee: DO YOU BELIEVE HE PROVIDED STEADY LEADERSHIP THAT HE HAS HAD CONSISTENT POLICIES THAT HE STUCK TO AND THERE HASN'T BEEN WAFFLING IN THE 100 PLUS DAYS.

>> I 1.% BELIEVE HE HAS PROVIDED LEADERSHIP.

RECORD SPEED GETTING HIS CABINET MEMBERS IN PLACE AND CONFIRMED.

HE HAS SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH A GREAT TEAM AND YOU LOOK ACROSS THE BOARD WHETHER IT'S NEGOTIATING BRINGING HOME PRISONERS CAPTIVE, WE'VE SEEN RECORD NUMBER OF THAT HAPPENING SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.

AGAIN, POSITIVE JOBS.

PRICES GOING DOWN.

I MEAN THE BORDER.

I WILL TELL YOU I WAS WITH PEOPLE FROM TEXAS LAST WEEK THEY HAVE RANCHES ALONG THE BORDER, THEY WERE SAYING THEY WERE NOT SAFE BEING ON THEIR RANCHES BY THEMSELVES BECAUSE IF THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER ILLEGALLY.

ONCE HE TOOK OFFICE IT WAS LIKE A SPIGOT IT TURNED OFF.

YEAH, I ABSOLUTELY THINK HE IS KEEPING HIS PROMISES AND I'M THRILLED TO BE WORKING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SEEING THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS COALESCING BEHIND HIM AND WE'RE OUT PROMOTING THE AMERICA FIRST MESSAGE AND MAKE HIM A FOUR-YEAR PRESIDENT AND NOT A TWO-YEAR PRESIDENT.

>> I AGREE.

90% DECREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

THERE'S BEEN UNTOLLED AMOUNTS OF FENTANYL CAL TURRED AT THE BORDER.

A DECREASE IN IMMIGRATION, AND DECREASE IN DRUGS ENTERING THIS COUNTRY THAT IS PUBLIC SAFETY ACROSS THE BOARD.

TO KC'S POINT HE CAMPAIGNED ON THIS HE SAID HE IS GOING TO DO THIS.

AND GOING BACK TO WHAT I SAID EARLIER HE IS NOT A TRADITIONAL POLITICIAN HE IS A BUSINESSMAN.

THESE ARE NEGOTIATING TACTICS THERE WILL BE A DIFFERENCE HOW HE DOES THINGS.

BY EVERY METRIC BEING SUCCESSFUL.

>> Renee: AND THE REPUBLICANS IN YOUR PARTY THAT YOU REPUBLICAN AND -- REPRESENT AND SPEAK FOR.

>> I DON'T KNOW ANY REPUBLICAN WHO SAID I WISH I VOTED FOR CAMP MALL LA HARRIS.

>> AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT I DIFFER IN EVERY RESPECT WITH WHAT HAS JUST BEEN SAID.

FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT WITH THE LOWEST APPROVAL RATING AT THIS POINT IN HIS TERM OF ANYONE IN THE HISTORY OF POLLING IN THIS COUNTRY.

HE IS DOWN AROUND 40%.

WHICH MEANS 60% OF THE PEOPLE DO NOT APPROVE OF THE JOB HE IS DOING.

IF YOU POLL VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE, HIS HANDLING OF THE ECONOMY, HANDLING OF EDUCATION, HANDLING OF TRADE, HE IS WAY UNDERWATER IN POLLING.

AND HUGE MARGINS IN SOME CASES.

HE MAY HAVE CAMPAIGNED SAYING I'M GOING TO RAISE TERRORISTS I DIDN'T HEAR MUCH -- TARIFFS.

THE PEOPLE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THIS IS WHAT HE MEANT.

WE HAVE AN ECONOMY FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS QUARTER IS NEGATIVE GROWTH.

GDP THAT FALLEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.

THE ECONOMY IS APPROACHING RECESSION.

AND WE TALK ABOUT PRICES.

HE SAID GAS WAS $1.95 HE CAN'T FIND IT IN A GAS STATION IN THE COUNTRY THAT IS TRUE.

I DON'T KNOW GAS IN LOUISVILLE IS RIGHT AROUND $3 A GALLON.

TWO MONTHS AGO IT WAS $2.70 A GALLON WITH GAS PRICES AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL DECREASING.

I THINK THERE IS A REASON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT HOLDING HIS ADMINISTRATION VERY HIGH REGARD RIGHT NOW AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SEEING THE PERFORMANCE THAT HE PROMISED.

>> Renee: SENATE MINORITY LEADER SCHUMER SAID THE LOWEST RATING SINCE THEY STARTED POLLING WHEN A "CNN" REPORTER TURNED THAT BACK ON SCHUMER AND TALKED ABOUT HIS APPROVAL RATING WAS 17%, CHUCK SCHUMER'S LOWER THAN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS BEING IN A WEAK POSITION THEY SEEM UNABLE TO ROBUSTLY DEFEND THEIR OWN POLICIES OR STAND UP TO WHAT THEY FEEL IS HAPPENING WRONGFULLY IN THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT IS WITH THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE WITH DEMOCRATS?

AND ARE THEY TO BLAME?

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF DEMOCRATS THAT THEY DON'T SENSE THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH PUSHBACK AND ENOUGH FIGHT IN DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP.

AND I'M SYMPATHETIC TO THAT VIEW.

THE REASON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS IN SUCH HAS SUCH POOR APPROVAL RATINGS RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE LOST THE CONFIDENCE OF A LOT OF DEMOCRATS.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY'VE LOST NECESSARILY ANYBODY ELSE.

AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY AGREE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND I THINK THAT IS THE MAIN THING TO BE STRESSED.

SO, YEAH, DEMOCRATS HAVE A PROBLEM NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

AND RIGHT NOW, THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY IN CONGRESS WHEN YOU HAVE A PARTY THAT IS IN LOCK STEP WITH A DEMAGOGUE LEADER WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND EVERYBODY IS SCARED TO DEATH CHALLENGING HIM OR VOICING DISAGREEMENT WITH HIM, JONATHAN MENTIONED RAND FOR BEING WILLING TO DO THAT AND NOT MANY ARE THE DEMOCRATS LOOK KIND OF EFFECTLESS IN WASHINGTON.

I GET THAT.

I HOPE THE MIDTERM CHANGES THAT AND GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKEOVER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES POSSIBLY THE SENATE AND TO ACTUALLY FORM MATE A POWERFUL RESISTANCE TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATS HELD THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT MAJORITY THEY HAVE WON A RAFT OF DOWN BALLOT RACES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BUT YET STILL THERE IS A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PARTY.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO BE THE COURSE CORRECTION.

>> FOR MOST OF MY LIFETIME IT'S BEEN A TRUISM THAT WE LOVE OUR CONGRESSMAN AND WE HATE CONGRESS.

IT IS A GENERAL ANTIPATHY THAT MOST AMERICANS FEEL TOWARDS THE INSTITUTION AND I AGREE WITH CONGRESSMAN YARMUTH HERE THAT A LOT OF DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY FRUSTRATED THAT THEIR DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN CONGRESS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING GIVEN THEY ARE IN THE MINORITY AND THE KINDS OF STEPS THAT SOME WANT THEM TO TAKE PROBABLY WOULD ONLY EMPOWER PRESIDENT TRUMP MORE.

BUT I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IN THE COMING YEARS WHAT HAPPENS A LOT OF TIMES CERTAINLY HAPPENED WHEN BILL CLINTON CAME ALONG THE SCENE AND GEORGE BUSH FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT YOU'LL SEE OUR NATION'S GOVERNORS TAKING A MORE PROMINENT ROLE WHERE THINGS ARE WORKING WHERE YOU HAVE GOVERNORS IN STATES LIKE KENTUCKY FOR EXAMPLE, THAT ARE DOING GOOD WORK AND ARE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THAT, THEY WILL EMERGE AS THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY GOING INTO THE 2028 ELECTIONS.

I DISMISS THIS CONCERN RIGHT NOW AND LOOK FORWARD TO LEADERS LIKE ANDY BESHEAR REALLY TAKING A BIGGER ROLE IN THE COMING YEARS.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY.

I WOULD AGREE WITH CONGRESSMAN YARMUTH THE DEMOCRATS ARE BUSY FIGHTING EACH OTHER BECAUSE AND DON'T HAVE A TRUE LEADER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY -- I AM AMAZED I THINK HOW CAN THEY KEEP DOUBLING DOWN AS A NATIONAL PARTY ON DUMP?

YOU HAVE A PERSONAL IN A NATIONAL ROLE WHO IS THREATENING TO PRIMARY REPUBLICANS WHO ARE NOT LEFT ENOUGH FOR THE PARTY AND PROGRESSIVE ENOUGH.

YOU HAVE A PARTY THAT IS DEFENDING HAVING BOYS PLAY WITH GIRLS IN GIRLS SPORTS AND USING GIRLS' RESTROOMS LIKE YOU CANNOT AGREE ON A MESSAGE AND THERE IS NO SPOKESPERSON.

I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR GANG MEMBERS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS TO STAY IN OUR COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON AND TO ME AS I TRAVEL THE COUNTRY AND TALK TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT MESSAGE IS NOT RESONATING WITH MIDDLE AMERICA AT ALL.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATIC STRATEGISTS AND POLITICAL CONSULTANT WHO YOU ALL ON THIS SIDE KNOW WELL ON CABLE NEWS OFTEN SAID A FEW WEEKS AGO AND SOMETHING THAT I REALLY MADE NOTE OF HE SAID THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE PRONOUNCES THAN THE NAME STITCHED ON A WORKING PERSON'S UNIFORMS.

>> I THINK THAT IS ABSURD.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO PAUL, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON.

THIS IS WHAT THE REPUBLICANS WANT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO THINK WE'RE FOCUSED ON BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON.

WE ARE NOT FOCUSED ON WOMEN'S -- MEN PLAYING WOMEN'S SPORTS.

>> WE HAD IT LEGISLATED AT THE STATE LEVEL I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

>> YOU CAN'T SAY IT'S NOT HAPPENING IT'S SOMETHING PROMULGATED BY THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND YOU HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONING.

>> THE PARTY IS NOT DOING THAT.

THE PARTY MY PARTY IS FOCUSED ON MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE RETIREMENT SECURITY, MAKING SURE THAT THEIR KIDS GET A GOOD, SOLID EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND DOING THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE WANT US TO DO.

NOW, DOES THAT MEAN THAT MESSAGE ALWAYS GETS THROUGH IN THE PUBLIC DIALOGUE?

NO.

OF COURSE.

AND THAT IS PARTIALLY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE BIGGEST MEGA PHONE AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, I WAS GOING TO SAY I SAW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PROTESTING OUTSIDE AN I.C.E.

FACILITY IN NEW JERSEY WHERE IT GOT VIOLENT.

IT WAS A BIG PUBLICITY STUNT IT IS DISINGENUOUS TO SAY THOSE ARE NOT THE THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT THERE PROTESTING THAT.

>> BECAUSE I.C.E.

AND YOUR GOVERNMENT IS NOW.

>> IT'S YOUR GOVERNMENT, TOO.

>> MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTY ARE FLY TOGGLE SALVADOR TO CHAMPION A GUY WHO HAS TIES TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

>> DETAINING AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THREATENING IMMIGRATION LAWYERS AND TELLING THEM TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS NOT AMERICA.

THIS IS WHAT YOUR ADMINISTRATION IS DOING RIGHT NOW.

AND THIS IS WHY, YEAH, I WOULD BE OUT THERE PROTESTING, TOO.

>> YOU ARE FIGHTING HARDER FOR PEOPLE LIKE AN MS13 GANG BANGER HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO COME BACK TO THIS COUNTRY FOR DUE PROCESS WHEN HE HAD DEPORTATION ORDERS.

FOR YOU TO SAY THIS IS A MARYLAND DAD WHO DIDN'T DESERVE TO BE DEPORTED THERE WAS A DEPORTATION ORDER ON HIM.

AND BUT THE MESSAGE IS THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR.

AND THERE IS A LOT BIGGER ISSUES AND YOU CAN'T DECIDE ON YOUR MESSAGING IT IS CHAOS WITH THE DEMOCRAT PARTY RIGHT NOW AND I'M HERE FOR IT.

>> IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION INSISTING ON ACTING ILLEGALLY AS COURTS HAVE SAID DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TIMES.

>> IF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DID NOT ALLOW THIS TO BECOME A MAJOR ISSUE WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THE DISCUSSION.

>> Renee: IMMIGRATION HAS LONG BEEN AN ISSUE BEYOND THIS -- >> IN 2013 THAT WORKED ON COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IN THE HOUSE.

AND WE HAD A -- THE SENATE HAD PASSED A BIPARTISAN COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL.

WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN THAT WE KNEW COULD PASS THE HOUSE.

JOHN BOEHNER WAS SPOKEN AND HE WOULD NOT BRING IT TO THE FLOOR.

WE WOULD HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEMS BACK THEN.

AND THERE IS A BILL SITTING THERE ON THE SHELF SOMETIME AND I WISH WE AS DEMOCRATS WOULD PUT THAT BILL BACK BEFORE CONGRESS AND SAY HERE'S THE PLAN.

HERE'S THE PLAN TO SOLVE ALL OF THESE THINGS.

AND THAT I THINK WOULD PUT REPUBLICANS ON THE SPOT BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

>> DID YOU DO IT WHEN BIDEN WAS PRESIDENT?

DID YOU BRING IT BACK FORWARD WHEN YOU DID HAVE CONTROL?

I MEAN YOU SAID IT WAS YEARS AGO WITH BOEHNER IS IT SOMETHING THAT DID MOST RECENTLY?

>> NO, IN 2013 WE COULDN'T GET IT TO THE FLOOR.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT -- >> 2022?

>> I SERVED UNTIL 2022, YES.

>> .

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT A TERM HABEAS CORPUS I WILL GO TO THE LAWYER Mr. MILLER.

LAST FRIDAY OVER THE WEEKEND, TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAID THEY WERE OPENLY DISCUSSING UNILATERALLY SUSPENDING HABEAS CORPUS WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF CONGRESS THIS IS A CENTURIES OLD WRIT THAT GRANTS DETAINED FOLKS THE RIGHT TO SEE A JUDGE AND CHALLENGE THE GOVERNMENT'S CASE AGAINST THEM AND EVIDENCE THAT IS PRESENTED AND PRESENT A DEFENSE.

WHY IS THIS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ELEVATED?

>> THIS IS THE HEART OF OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR SAY AND TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOURSELF IN COURT.

AND EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A VERY REPUTABLE PERSON, EVEN IF YOU'VE GOT BAD ELEMENTS IN YOUR BACKGROUND, IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD, YOU'VE GOT THE RIGHT FOR A DAY IN COURT AND THAT IS SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SYSTEM.

BECAUSE WHEN WE GO AFTER WHEN WE DENY THOSE RIGHTS TO PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T LIKE WE CAN LOB NEGATIVE MESSAGES ON THEN WE WILL BE DENYING RIGHTS TO AVERAGE ORDINARY AMERICANS.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT I'M HOPEFUL THAT THIS JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL STICK AND THE SUPREME COURT WILL ULTIMATELY RULE THAT SO MANY OF THESE ACTIONS AND SO MANY OF THE THREATS SUCH AS THE ONE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT STEVEN MILLER FROM THE WHITE HOUSE MADE THE OTHER DAY THOSE ARE NOT AMERICAN.

AND THAT WE SUPPORT A GOVERNMENT THAT PROTECTS EVERY CITIZEN NO MATTER WHAT WE MIGHT THINK OF THEM.

>> Renee: THIS GIVES REPUBLICANS A LITTLE INDIGESTION ABOUT THIS CONCEPT SOME MAYBE OTHER REPUBLICANS WHO FEEL LIKE THIS IS TOO FAR.

>> IN MY OPINION WHAT I THINK IS GOING ON HERE HE WAS SAYING THEY NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE.

AND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WE BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN A WEAPONIZATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND YOU CAN'T DENY WHEN YOU GO TO THE SAME JUDGE AND THE SAME DISTRICT TO GET THE SAME TYPES OF RULINGS FROM A OBAMA APPOINTED JUDGE.

AND THEY KEEP PICKING THE SAME ONE MAGICALLY ALL THE TIME.

THERE'S QUESTIONING AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS INTENTIONAL OR NOT.

SO I THINK THERE IS A TOOLBOX.

WE CAN USE ALL THESE DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO LOOK AT AND WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS NOTHING IS OFF THE TABLE.

>> COMPLETE DISCUSSIONS IT IS A SUGGESTION WE'RE HAVING SUGGESTIONS LIKE KC SAID NOTHING IS OFF THE TABLE.

>> Renee: DO YOU FEAR THIS AT ALL?

>> NO, I DON'T FEAR HAVING A DISCUSSION.

>> Renee: WHAT IF THE DISCUSSION YIELDS ACTION?

>> WE HAVE TO SEE.

THESE THINGS ARE ONGOING.

>> THIS COMES ON THE HEELS THE PRESIDENT SAYING IN A INTERVIEW HE WASN'T SURE WHETHER HE HAD TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTION.

HOW CAN YOU NOT BE ALARMED WHEN A FUNDAMENTAL PRECEPT OF THE LEGAL STRUCTURE OF THIS COUNTRY IS SUGGESTED TO BE OVERTURNED WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAID I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE TO OBEY THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Renee: DOES THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR YOU?

>> HE IS TALKING AND THERE'S ONE THING THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TALKING AND ACTING.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

IF IT GOES TO THE SUPREME COURT AND RULED AND ADJUDICATED AT THE SUPREME COURT IF HE FOLLOW IT IS GREAT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> IF HE DOESN'T FOLLOW IT THEN WE ARE IN TROUBLE AS A COUNTRY THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> YOU ARE FEAR MONGERING.

YOU ALL ARE HOPING SO YOU GET YOUR TALKING POINTS THAT HE DOESN'T FOLLOW IT.

YOU ARE HOPING THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE CAMPAIGNING ON AND DOING WITH THE ECONOMY AND EVERYTHING.

IT'S FEAR MONGERING TO RILE UP YOUR BASE BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO REEL THEM BACK IN.

THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HAS BEEN SO OUT OF TOUCH WITH THEIR VOTING BLOCKS THEIR CORE CONSTITUENCY.

LOOK AT THE SOUTH END OF LOUISVILLE.

BULL IT COUNTY THESE WERE BULLITT COUNTY.

YOU CAN SEEING A WORLD CLASS CONSTITUENCY COMING OUT SWINGING IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I MEAN, KEEP CLUTCHING THE PEARLS BUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

HE IS TALKING.

THESE ARE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS.

>> Renee: DO YOU BELIEVE IT'S NEEDED NOW THIS ACTION ON HABEAS CORRECT PRUS IS NEEDED?

THIS HAS BEEN SUSPENDED IN WARTIME BUT WHY NOW WHY DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO DO IT NOW?

>> WE HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE.

THEY ARE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS.

>> I THINK IT IS A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT.

BUT, AGAIN, I THINK THERE'S FEAR MONGERING GOING ON THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

ONE THING PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS CLEAR WE SAW IT DURING THE CAMPAIGN WHERE THEY WENT AFTER HIM TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND USED THE COURT SYSTEM.

HE ALWAYS FOLLOWS THE LAW.

HE DOES.

AND HE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT HE WILL FOLLOW THE LAW.

SO YOU KNOW.

>> EXCEPT WHEN HE SAYS HE WON'T.

I MEAN, JOHN QUOTES DONALD TRUMP VERBATIM AND YOU CALL IT FEAR MONGERING THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

HE IS CREATING THE FEAR.

>> THE JUDGE IT IS A MINOR POINT, BUT THAT JUDGE HAS ACTUALLY HEARD FEWER IMMIGRATION CASES THAN A NUMBER OF OTHER JUDGES IN THAT CIRCUIT.

AND THE CASES ARE REFERRED RANDOMLY.

SHE HAS HAD FOUR CASES.

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF JUDGES WITH SIX OR MORE CASES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ACTION.

YOU TALK ABOUT FEAR MONGERING LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON.

WHEN YOU'RE RAISING THE SAME ISSUES ABOUT TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE CREDIBILITY OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE LEGAL SYSTEM, THE COURTS, THE SUPREME COURT EVEN, I DON'T KNOW WHO IS.

>> I'M NOT UNDERMINING THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS WE HAVE TOOLS -- >> REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DO IT ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS.

>> DEMOCRATS DIDN'T WEAPONIZE DOJ AGAINST THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK WAS ABSOLUTELY WEAPONIZATION OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

AND GOING AFTER HIM IN THAT MANNER, SET THE TONE FOR IT.

YOU ALL STARTED IT.

LIKE, YES, IS HE MAYBE SENSITIVE TO SOME OF THIS LEGAL STUFF GOING ON?

YES.

BUT THAT'S THROUGH LIVED EXPERIENCES.

>> Renee: I WANT TO MAKE A PIVOT WE HAVE A COUPLE VIEWERS CALLS ABOUT EDUCATION.

THIS VIEWER ROSE SAN FROM SCOTT COUNTY ASKS HOW WILL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BE EDUCATED IF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS SHUT DOWN AND WHAT WILL KENTUCKY DO WITHOUT HEAD DECADE COVERAGE THERE IS AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE THAT IS HAPPENING TOMORROW TO ADDRESS SOME MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AND WHAT IS CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFICIARIES.

LET'S START WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THIS WOMAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT PERHAPS MAYBE SHE HAS A CHILD OR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ABOUT THOSE NEEDS BEING MET?

>> I MEAN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ABOLISH IT OR DO AWAY WITH IT THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH A CONGRESSIONAL VOTE THIS IS ONGOING DISCUSSIONS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE SNAP OF THE FINGER.

THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERING OPINIONS ON THIS AND ONGOING DISCUSSIONS.

>> Renee: CARE TO ADD TO THAT.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP'S APPROACH IS THAT STATES SHOULD CONTROL WHAT EDUCATION AND WHRAPS IN THEIR STATES HE HAS BEEN CLEAR THIS IS A STATE ISSUE.

AND IT'S DIFFERENT ACROSS STATES AND THE NEEDS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POSITION HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR.

AND I SUPPORT THAT.

>> Renee: WHAT IS WRONG WITH GOVERNMENT AT THE MOST LOCAL LEVEL PARTICULARLY EDUCATION?

WHY NOT HAVE IT MORE IN THE CONTROL OF THE STATES?

>> IT CERTAINLY IS A GREAT IDEA BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR IT.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WITH ELON MUSK WHO I HAVEN'T MUCH FROM HIM IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS TAKING A CHAINSAW OUT AND TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP SO MANY IN OUR SOCIETY THAT NEED THE HELP THE MOST.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED WE'RE RIGHT NOW ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT THIS RECONCILIATION PACKAGE OR WHAT THE PRESIDENT CALLS THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THESE INCREDIBLE TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY THERE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SIGNIFICANT CUTS TO CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE EDUCATION, LIKE MEDICAID AND OTHERS.

AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET.

THE DETAILS ARE JUST STARTING TO LEAK OUT BUT IT IS FRIGHTENING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE LAID ON THE ALTER HERE TO HELP PAY FOR THESE TAX CUTS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN GRANTS EDUCATION GRANTS FROZEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION FUNDS THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS INCLUDING KENTUCKY'S RELY ON.

THE ISSUE WE HAVE HERE IS WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH CREATED WHAT WAS THEN CALLED NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND PROGRAM, THE THEORY BEHIND IT WAS YOU SHOULD NOT BE PENALLIZED BECAUSE OF THE ZIP CODE YOU ARE BORN IN.

AND THERE WERE CERTAIN STATES THAT REFUSED TO MAKE THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT THAT WOULD GUARANTEE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL OF ITS CITIZENS.

THEREFORE, HE CREATED THIS PROGRAM THAT WOULD HOLD ALL STATES TO CERTAIN STANDARDS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH IT.

I WAS ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND TRIED TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THOSE EARLY IN MY SERVICE.

SO THE PROBLEM THE QUESTION IS YES WE WANT LOCAL CONTROL OVER EDUCATION AND WE DO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL OVER EDUCATION FOR THE MOST PART.

90% OF THE FUNDING COMES FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES IT DOESN'T COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

K-12 EDUCATION.

BUT THE QUESTION IS: DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO STEP IN TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS IN A STATE WHERE THEY ARE NOT COMMITTED TO QUALITY EDUCATION AND FUNDING IT ADEQUATELY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND TRY TO BALANCE THE SCALES.

THAT IS THE THEORY BEHIND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S INVOLVEMENT.

IT IS A LEGITIMATE DEBATE AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONGTIME.

I THINK DEMOCRATS FEEL THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY HAS A QUALITY EDUCATION NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE MORAL THING TO DO IT'S THE ECONOMICALLY NECESSARY THING TO DO.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CITIZEN CAN BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS JUST GROWN AND GROWN THEY GET BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WE SEE CHILDREN ACROSS THIS COUNTRY CURRENTLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN PLACE AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY GET AND WE HAVE EIGHTH GRADER WHO CANNOT DO MATH, THEY CAN'T READ THEY CAN'T WRITE.

THEY ARE NOT DOING THE JOB NOW SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE AND WE CAN DO BETTER AND LETTING THE STATES HAVE CONTROL AND GETTING RID OF THE FLUFF AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT CERTAINLY AN AREA THAT COULD BE -- >> WHO HAS THE CONTROL IN KENTUCKY EDUCATION?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

NO.

WE HAVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE STANDARDS AND THE FUNDING TO DO THAT, THEY CURRENTLY HAVE FUNDING.

THEY'VE HAD STANDARDS -- >> CLEARLY WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CHILDREN LEARNING TO THE LEVEL WE WOULD WANT THEM TO ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND BUT WHO IS ACTUALLY DOING THOSE IN THOSE CLASSROOMS IT IS NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK REPUBLICANS LIKE TO SAY -- >> THE STATUS QUO IS NOT DOING THEM JUSTICE EITHER IT'S NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW WE CAN AGREE ON THAT.

>> I AGREE.

YOU CAN'T BLAME THAT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN MOST OF THE EDUCATION IS DONE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND IS PAID FOR AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT MEDICAID BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE AS CHAIR OF THE U.S. HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A VOTE TOMORROW IN A LONG MEETING WE ANTICIPATE.

MANY OF US WILL BE GLUED TO SEE THAT.

THIS WOULD SLASH $900 BILLION DOLLARS.

IT WOULD IMPOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS ON MEDICAID FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE 19-64 THOSE WORKING AGES AND IT DOES A COUPLE OF THINGS.

KENTUCKY TALKED ABOUT THIS AND DONE THIS AS WELL.

WHY IS THIS THE WAY TO GO ABOUT MAKING ROOM FOR TAX CUTS?

>> SO I THINK THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN CLEAR WITH THE MEDICAID PROGRAM THAT HE BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD SERVE THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

AND WE SEE A LOT OF PROGRAMS AS WE'VE DISCUSSED TONIGHT THAT HAVE A LOT OF WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF WORKING, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF BEING ON MEDICAID.

WE HAVE PEOPLE YOU LOOK AT NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA.

WE HAVE ILLEGAL I AM GRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN BENEFITING FROM MEDICAID IN THEIR STATES WHAT THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT AND YOU KNOW THIS YOU GET IT IN COMMITTEE THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE CUTS.

UNTIL WE SEE, THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS AND WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OUT TOMORROW.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR MODIFICATIONS AND CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH GOVERNMENT AND PARTICULARLY MEDICAID.

>> RENEE, I LIKE BRETT GUTHRIE A LOT N FACT THAT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OPINION.

I THINK HE VOTED THE MOST NICEST MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

BUT HE'S BEEN GIVEN AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB.

DONALD TRUMP SAID HE DOESN'T WANT TO CUT MEDICAID.

HE SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN YET THE ONLY WAY THAT CONGRESS IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE GOALS THAT THE BUDGET HAVE BEEN SET IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE TAX CUTS IS TO CUT MEDICAID AND NOT JUST CUT THE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE WHICH IS ON THE VERY TOP.

BUT CUT DOWN TO THE MUSCLE AND THE BONE.

AND SO UNFORTUNATELY CONGRESSMAN GUTHRIE HAS A VERY AWKWARD TASK TO TRY TO BOTH APPEASE WHAT TRUMP IS PROMISING BUT TO LIVE WITH THE NUMBERS THAT HE HAS BEEN LEFT WITH.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE POSSIBLE.

>> Renee: HE SAID WHAT THE PLAN DOES IT PRESERVES AND STRENGTHENS MEDICAID FOR CHILDREN, MOTHERS AND THE ELDERLY FOR WHOM THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED.

HE IS SAYING THERE'S FEAR MONGERING GOING ON WITH THE DEMOCRATS AND THE RHETORIC IT'S NOT THE GOAL TO TAKE PEOPLE OFF MEDICAID WHO DESERVE TO BE THERE.

>> IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET THESE MONETARY GOALS SET BY THE BUDGET AND NOT CUT PEOPLE WHO ARE DESERVING OF MEDICAID FROM THEIR ROLES.

THE NUMBERS DON'T WORK.

AND THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HURT AS A RESULT OF THIS.

>> Renee: THE MATH DOESN'T MATH WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAID CUTS WHO COULD BE IMPERILLED BY THEM.

>> ALL WE'RE DOING TRYING TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CUTS IS ENSURE THIS PROGRAM IS ONGOING AND DOES NOT GO BELLY UP BECAUSE WE RUN OUT OF MONEY.

WHEN YOU HAVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BENEFITING FROM IT ABLE-BODIED INDIVIDUALS MY AGE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF GOING OUT AND WORKING THAT ARE ABUSING THE SYSTEM, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

ALL CONGRESSMAN GUTHRIE AND I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PERSON TO BE AT THE HELM OF THIS HAND BRETT GUTHRIE HE IS ONE OF THE THOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUALS IN CONGRESS HE IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING THAT WILL HURT THE EVERYDAY KENTUCKIANS THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

SINGLE MOTHERS, THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT MEDICAID IS THERE TO BENEFIT AND WHAT IT'S THERE FOR.

ALL WE'RE DOING IS MAKING THE NECESSARY CUTS TO EN IS SURE THIS -- ENSURE THIS PROGRAM IS PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PUT OUT AN ASSESSMENT SAYING THE PLAN INTRODUCED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT BECAUSE REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHAT IS IN IT, BUT THEY SAID THIS WOULD END COVERAGE OR KILL COVERAGE FOR EIGHT MILLION AMERICANS.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS THEY'VE DONE IN THIS PROPOSED BILL THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, ARE TO INCREASE THE BURDEN OF THE PROCESSES WHICH ACTUALLY WILL HURT THE VULNERABLE PEOPLE THE MOST.

SENIORS AND SO FORTH.

WHO HAVE A MUCH HARDER TIME COMPLYING WITH MONTHLY FOR INSTANCE MONTHLY REPORTS 0 AND THEIR INCOME.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS EVERYBODY ON MEDICAID IS WORKING ALREADY.

AND THEY'VE DONE STUDY AFTER STUDY ON THIS.

ARE THERE PEOPLE NOT WORKING WHO MAYBE COULD?

OF COURSE.

IN ANY PROGRAM THIS SIZE THERE WILL BE.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE ALREADY WORKING.

AND THAT'S WHY WHAT WE DID IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS EXPAND THE COVERAGE TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO WERE MAKING MORE THAN THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL BUT UP TO 138% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL.

THAT WAS WHAT GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR EXPANDED WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR AND ENDED UP IN RESULTING REDUCING THE UNINSURED RATE FROM 20% TO 4%.

IT WAS AN ENORMOUS BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

AND MORE THAN THAT, IT WAS AN ENORMOUS BENEFIT TO THE RURAL AND LESS POPULATED AREAS OF KENTUCKY BECAUSE THEY KEPT THEIR HOSPITALS ALIVE.

IF YOU TALK TO HOSPITALS IN SMALL TOWN KENTUCKY THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY COULD NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT MEDICAID BECAUSE WELL OVER 50% OF THEIR REVENUE COMES FROM MEDICAID.

SO IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A PROGRAM WHICH RIGHT NOW SPENDS ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR $550 BILLION, THE TOTAL EXPENSE FOR MEDICAID FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND YOU ASK THEM TO CUT 880 BILLION THIS BILL CUTS ABOUT 750 BILLION FROM MEDICAID SPECIFICALLY, AND OVER 10 YEARS.

THAT'S MORE THAN 10% OF THE ENTIRE MEDICAID EXPENDITURE.

YOU TELL ME COMMON SENSE IF YOU ARE CUTTING OUT MORE THAN 10% OF THE MEDICAID BUDGET THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HURT PEOPLE?

PEOPLE WILL GET SICK AND DIE UNNECESSARILY BECAUSE OF THESE CUTS IF THEY GO THROUGH.

>> Renee: WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT HOW RURAL HOSPITALS FEAR THIS.

MEDICAID IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT IT'S THE PROVIDERS.

WHAT CONLATION COULD YOU PROVIDE.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST IT'S IRONIC AT THE 11TH HOUR AT MIDNIGHT.

I REMEMBER NANCY PELOSI SAYING WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS IN IT AND I SAW THIS WITH CONGRESSMAN GUTHRIE IN NASHVILLE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO SPEND YEAR-OVER-YEAR RIGHT NOW.

THERE WILL BE A CONTINUED INCREASE?

SPENDING AND THIS PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THANK GOD WE HAVE ROBERT STIVERS IN THE SENATE WHO IS A CHAMPION OF RURAL KENTUCKY.

SO, NO HE IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW OUR RURAL HOSPITALS TO BE DECIMATED.

WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET WHAT WE NEED AND THINGS MOVE ALONG.

>> I AGREE PRESIDENT STIVERS WILL DO WHAT HE CAN TO PROTECT RURAL KENTUCKY BUT IF HE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING THAT IS THE CHALLENGE HERE.

IF KENTUCKY GOVERNMENT IS STARVED OF THIS ADDITIONAL MEDICAID MONEY, PEOPLE WILL BE KICKED OFF THE ROLLS AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

>> Renee: ANOTHER HEALTHCARE ITEM THE PRESIDENT DID ANNOUNCE ABOUT A REDUCTION IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS, 30-80% SEEMS LIKE A WIDE MARGIN THERE.

BUT COULD THIS Mr. YARMUTH OPEN THE DOOR TO RECALIBRATING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?

IS THIS THE WAY TO GET AT WHOLESALE CHANGE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BERNIE SANDERS HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

>> IT'S BEEN A TOP PRIORITY OF DEMOCRATS WE VOTED TO DO THAT A NUMBER OF TIMES WHILE I WAS SERVING IT NEVER GOT PAST THE SENATE.

THERE IS A PART OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WHICH WE PASSED MY LAST YEAR THERE ARE REDUCTIONS IN WHAT MEDICARE CAN CHARGE CAN PAY FOR CERTAIN DRUGS.

I'M ALL FOR THE INITIATIVE.

I DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO IT.

HE'S WELCOME TO TRY.

I THINK IT'S I LOVE TO SEE THE DETAILS.

BUT AND HE IS GOING TO GET A PUSHBACK FROM PHARMA ON THIS BIG PHARMA.

IT WILL GO TO COURT TRYING TO DO IT THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER.

I WISH HE WOULD USE HIS INFLUENCE WITH CONGRESS AND I HOPE HE DOES TO GET CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY TO DO IT BECAUSE THAT WILL REMOVE THE LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES.

>> HE'S BEEN HAD GOOD IDEAS I WILL GIVE PRESIDENT TRUMP HE FLOATED THE IDEA OF RAISING THE TAXES ON THE VERY WEALTHY AND I KNOW THE STEVE BANNON WING SUPPORTED THAT AND THAT IS I WOULD SUPPOSE.

SUPPORT.

I DON'T SEE THAT GOING THROUGH A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS IF IT DOES I WILL APPLAUD IT.

THESE KINDS OF ISSUES HE TALKS ABOUT THAT ARE POPULAR, GENERALLY DON'T MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE REPUBLICAN PROCESS.

>> I WOULD SAY WE REMEMBER WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS SHOT AT HIS RALLY IN BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA AND WE SAW HIM STAND UP AND SAY FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING AMERICAN PEOPLE BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS FIGHTING FOR THEM WHEN IT COMES TO PRESCRIPTION COSTS EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW FRUSTRATING IS WHEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MEDICATION AND YOU SEE COUNTRIES PAYING 80% LESS AND WE'RE FLOATING THE COSTS SO EVERYBODY ELSE CAN HAVE LOWER PRESCRIPTION COSTS I THINK IT WAS SPECIAL TODAY WHEN R.F.K.

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHEN HE STOOD UP AND SAID I HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE BERNIE SANDERS SUPPORTERS, AND THEY WERE IN TEARS WHEN THEY HEARD THIS WAS BEING DONE TODAY AND HE THANKED THE PRESIDENT AND THAT SHOWS AN ISSUE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER ON ALL SIDES AND AGREE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS FIGHTING FOR AMERICANS EVERYDAY.

>> Renee: SO IN THE 10 MINUTES REMAINING LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW THE FIRST 100 DAYS IS THERE ANY INDICATION THE FIRST 100 PLUS DAYS IN A PRESIDENT'S ADMINISTRATION OF HOW THE MIDTERMS WILL GO?

I MEAN, CONGRESSMAN YARMUTH I WILL COME TO YOU.

IF YOU WERE A BETTING MAN?

>> I THINK BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SUCH A SLIM MARGIN IN THE HOUSE THAT IF I WERE BETTING I WOULD BET THE DEMOCRATS RETAKE THE HOUSE NEXT YEAR.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PARTY IS NOT NECESSARILY HELD IN THE HIGHEST REGARD IN NATIONAL POLLS.

BUT I THINK FIRST OF ALL, HISTORY SAYS THAT THEY WILL.

THE FIRST MIDTERM IN A PRESIDENT'S TERM USUALLY GOES AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

IT HAS ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION EXCEPT GEORGE BUSH AFTER 9/11.

BUT SO I THINK THE ODDS ARE WE'LL RETAKE THE HOUSE.

IF THE PRESIDENT IF THE ECONOMY, AGAIN, THE ECONOMY NOW FIRST NEGATIVE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY IN MEMORY, THIS LAST TERM, IF THINGS REMAIN THE WAY THEY ARE, IF HIS JOB APPROVAL IS AROUND 40% OR LESS, THEN I THINK THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE CERTAIN THAT THE DEMOCRAT ALSO TAKE THE HOUSE.

MY CONCERN IS THAT I'M NOT SURE WITH THIS PRESIDENT WHETHER WHATEVER THE CONGRESS DECIDES IS GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED AND OBEYED.

SO THAT MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER TO THE TRUMP REGIME AS IT WERE.

BUT I'D RATHER HAVE DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL THAN NOT.

>> WE'RE WORKING HARD AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS WE FEEL CONFIDENT WE SEE MOSTLY WORK WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND WE ARE PROMOTING THE AMERICA FIRST MESSAGE THAT HE WON ON.

AND WE FEEL CONFIDENT GOING INTO MIDTERMS WITH THE WORK WE'RE DOING AND WE'RE SEEING CONFIDENCE IN OUR INVESTORS AND PARTY ARE COMING OUT.

WE HAVE -- WE ARE A BREAKING RECORDS FOR FUNDRAISING DURING A DOWN YEAR CYCLE GEARING UP FOR THE MIDTERMS.

EVERY INDICATION THAT WE HAVE IS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP, THEY SUPPORT HIS AGENDA AND WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT HE IS A FOUR-YEAR PRESIDENT AND WE CAN SEE HIS AGENDA THROUGH.

>> I AGREE WITH KC.

AND CONGRESSMAN YARMUTH IS CORRECT.

HISTORY HAS SHOWN THAT THE PARTY IN POWER DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE GAINS IN THE MIDTERMS.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE ROCK STARS LIKE KC WITH RECRUITMENT AND GOOD RECRUITS, I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FAVORABLE OUTCOME.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS DELIVERING ON WHAT HE PROMISED AND WHAT HE CAMPAIGNED ON.

AS LONG AS WE KEEP GETTING THE GAINS AND GETTING THE TRADE AGREEMENTS AND WHATNOT THIS FRAMEWORK, I THINK, WITH THE FRAMEWORK WITH GREAT BRITAIN AND CHINA YOU WILL SEE THE DOMINOES FALL WHERE OTHER COUNTRIES COME TO THE TABLE.

IF WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT SUCCESS, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL GAIN FAITH.

AND YOU WILL SEE OUR POLLING RISE.

AND WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT?

WE WILL SEE WINS.

I'M CONFIDENT.

>> Renee: GO AHEAD.

>> .

>> ONE OF MY MENTORS ONCE SAID IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID, Mr.

CAR VEL.

AND IF THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO WEAKEN IF WE DO GO INTO RECESSION IF TRUMP CONTINUES TO CREATE CHAOS THROUGH THE TARIFF PLANS, THEN I THINK WE'LL SEE A WAVE ELECTION FOR DEMOCRATS.

AND REMEMBER NOT ONLY IS THE PARTY IN POWER USUALLY LOSE, BUT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL CYCLES IF DONALD TRUMP'S NAME IS NOT ON THE BALLOT DEMOCRATS DO BETTER.

DEMOCRATIC VOTERS COME TO THE POLLS MORE.

I THINK THAT REALLY STANDS CLEAR.

AND MAKES WHAT IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY HERE WHAT IS A REPUBLICAN LEANING SEAT IT MAKES IT INTO A COMPETITIVE SEAT BASED ON THE NATIONAL TREND.

>> Renee: WHICH SEAT?

>> THE SIXTH DISTRICT.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SIXTH DISTRICT.

THAT WAS MY QUEUE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> IF YOU BELIEVE HIS TWITTER FROM EARLIER -- CHERLYNN STEVENSON WILL BE ANNOUNCING HER RUN FOR CONGRESS AND I THINK SHE HAS WON IN A HAD VERY CLOSE ELECTIONS IN A LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT THAT LEANS REPUBLICAN.

>> Renee: SHE LOST THE MOST RECENT RACE.

>> AND OUTSPENT HER OPPONENT SIGNIFICANTLY.

FIRST TIME CANDIDATE SHE CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK AND DID NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE AND LOST.

>> AND LAST YEAR WAS A TOUGH YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE A BETTER YEAR.

AND, AGAIN, SHE IS THE FIRST CANDIDATE SHE MIGHT NOT BE THE LAST CANDIDATE.

>> Renee: WHY DO YOU THINK SHE IS READY FOR CONGRESS?

>> SHE'S BEEN A LEADER IN FRANKFORT AND HAS LED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HERE IN THE STATE.

AND HAS LED VERY SMALL MINORITIES AND BEEN ABLE TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS DESPITE THAT.

I THINK SHE WOULD DO WELL.

AGAIN, THAT IS JUST ONE CANDIDATE THERE COULD BE OTHERS COMING IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

>> Renee: DO YOU KNOW?

>> I DON'T KNOW OF ANY.

I CAN RULE OUT ONE.

>> Renee: IT'S NOT YOUR DISTRICT.

>> I DON'T.

I WILL SAY THAT THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IDENTIFIED THE SIXTH DISTRICT AS A WINNABLE DISTRICT THAT MEANS THERE WILL BE RESOURCES DEPLOYED IN THIS AREA.

AND WHO KNOWS.

>> Renee: THERE'S HEAVY HITTERS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO ARE THINKING OF THIS?

>> RIGHT NOW I THINK WE HAVE ONE CANDIDATE WHO IS ACTUALLY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DOTSON.

>> Renee: THERE'S NAMES THAT ARE BEING TOSSED AROUND AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT IT WILL BE A PRIMARY.

WE WELCOME CHERLYNN STEVENSON TO BE THE CANDIDATE IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT.

SHE HAS A VOTING RECORD IN FRANKFORT ONCE SHE GETS OUT OF FAYETTE COUNTY IT WILL BE TO GO INTO THE OTHER COUNTIES AND HAVE TO DEFEND HER VOTING RECORD.

AND WE BELIEVE WE WILL HOLD THIS SEAT AND WE FEEL LIKE THIS MAYBE A GIFT TO US.

>> Renee: DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT?

>> I DO BELIEVE WE PROBABLY WILL.

I CAN'T SAY WHO IS GOING TO GET IN WHAT I'M HEARING IS -- >> TWO OTHER NAMES FLOATED REPRESENTATIVE DEANNA FRASER IS EXPRESSING INTEREST AND ALSO SENATOR AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, 29 POINTS IS THAT WHAT ANDY BARR WON THE DISTRICT BY?

TRUMP WON BY PLUS 8.

>> PLUS 8.

THIS IS A COMPETITIVE DISTRICT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE MATH DOES NOT ADD UP.

>> Renee: TRUMP'S NAME IS NOT GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO MATTER.

TRUMP'S NAME WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN '22 AND ANDY BARR WON BY 25 POINTS, 22 POINTS.

THESE ARE BLOWOUTS THE LAST TIME IT WAS COMPETITIVE IN THEORY WHAT DEMOCRATS YOU ALL SPENT $3 MILLION IN 2020, ANDY BARR STILL WON BY 17 POINTS.

THIS IS A VERY STRONG REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

EVERYBODY THAT I TALK TO IN STATE AND OUT OF STATE ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEAD AT THIS.

BUT FROM THE PARTY PERSPECTIVE I WELCOME THE NATIONAL PARTY COMING IN AND SPENDING BIG.

TAKE THOSE RESOURCES AWAY FROM COMPETITIVE RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY IF YOU WANT TO GET INTO THIS AND BECOME POLITICAL MARTYRS BRING IT ON WE ARE FOR IT.

>> THE LAST TIME WE HAD A STRONG CANDIDATE WE LOST BY A COUPLE POINTS AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED CONGRESSIONAL RACES IN THE COUNTRY.

AND IT WAS NOT A YEAR LIKE THIS YEAR WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE I BELIEVE A REJECTION OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE A DEMOCRATIC SURGEON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

WILL THAT BE ENOUGH?

I CAN'T PROMISE THAT.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS A WINNABLE RACE.

>> Renee: AND THE U.S. SENATE SEAT RACE, PAMELA STEVENSON IS CAMPAIGNING FOR THAT.

YOU THINK SHE IS STRONG?

>> SHE IS A VERY STRONG DYNAMIC FORCE.

AGAIN I DON'T KNOW WHETHER SHE WILL BE THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL RUN.

I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF EFFORT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL TO RECRUIT ROCKY ADKINS THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISER.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A DECISION MADE IN WASHINGTON WHETHER OR NOT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS GOING TO PLAY IN THIS SEAT.

THEY ARE GOING TO NEED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO COMPETE.

AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T GET THOSE PROMISES FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS GOING TO BE WISE TO RUN THIS RACE.

BUT, AGAIN, GIVEN THE SCOPE OF THE YEAR AND IF SCHUMER AND DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON D.C. DIED THIS IS A RACE THEY WANT TO VEST IN WE COULD HAVE A INVEST IN WE COULD HAVE A TRANSIT.

>> Renee: NAMES ARE SURFACING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

>> WE HAVE TWO DECLARED CANDIDATES ANDY BARR CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR AND DANIEL CAMERON.

WHO WAS OUR FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AND RAN FOR GOVERNOR.

WE ARE HEARING THAT THERE MAYBE A FEW MORE WHO GET IN.

>> Renee: SCOTT JENNINGS?

>> WE HEAR LOTS OF NAMES.

CERTAINLY WE DON'T KNOW I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL GET IN OR NOT.

BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK IT SHOWS WE TRULY HAVE A GREAT BENCH WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN KENTUCKY AND THE FACT WE HAVE OUTSTANDING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RUN AND CAN WIN THIS SEAT, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO KEEP SENATOR McCONNELL'S SEAT IN KENTUCKY WITH REPUBLICAN.

>> AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT NATE MORRIS I DO NOT SEE THIS AS A MEANINGFUL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IT'S IN THE HEAD OF ONE MAN IN THE OVAL OFFICE AND IF HE DECIDES TO ENDORSE WILL BE THEIR NOMINEE.

>> THIS IS TRUMP COUNTRY THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT.

AND I WANT TO SAY ONE THING DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

INVESTING, CHERLYNN STEVENSON HAS $32,000 ON HAND AT THE MOMENT.

THAT WILL BE ONE HECK OF AN INVESTMENT.

>> Renee: WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

CATCH "KENTUCKY EDITION" TOMORROW NIGHT AND EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN AND 5:30 CENTRAL AND JOIN BILL BRYANT TO DISCUSS THE NEWS OF THE WEEK ON "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" FRIDAY AT 8 EASTERN AS WELL.

I'M RENEE SHAW UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN HAVE A REALLY GOOD WEEK.

TAKE GOOD CARE.