
A Lively Experiment 8/5/2022
Season 35 Episode 6 | 28m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
RI governor candidate finances; SCOTUS credibility in question; Pelosi's Taiwan visit.
Financial reports released for the RI governor candidates, the CD2 race is shaping up to be a close one, the U.S. Supreme Court faces a credibility issue, plus what's the fallout from Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Providence mayor Angel Taveras, former RI Democratic Party chairman Bill Lynch, and attorney Lou Pulner.
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A Lively Experiment is a local public television program presented by Rhode Island PBS
A Lively Experiment is generously underwritten by Taco Comfort Solutions.

A Lively Experiment 8/5/2022
Season 35 Episode 6 | 28m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
Financial reports released for the RI governor candidates, the CD2 race is shaping up to be a close one, the U.S. Supreme Court faces a credibility issue, plus what's the fallout from Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan? Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by former Providence mayor Angel Taveras, former RI Democratic Party chairman Bill Lynch, and attorney Lou Pulner.
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How to Watch A Lively Experiment
A Lively Experiment is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipJIM: THIS WEEK, THE FINANCIAL REPORT ON THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL PRIMARY DAY.
AND BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT HAVE A CREDIBILITY PROBLEM -- DOES THE SUPREME COURT HAVE A CREDIBILITY PROBLEM?
>> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT ON THE ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.
I'M A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PREVIOUS.
JOINING US WITH THE ANALYSIS IS ATTORNEY AND LEGAL ANALYST LOU PULNER.
FORMER RI DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN BILL LYNCH.
AND FORMER MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE ANGEL TAVERAS.
IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
EXPECT A BARRAGE OF COMMERCIALS OVER THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS AS THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE START SPENDING IN EARNEST THE MONEY THEY HAVE BEEN RAISING OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
THIS WEEK, A MOUNTING NUMBER OF ENDORSEMENTS AS THE CANDIDATES JOCKEY FOR THE POSITION, GETTING READY FOR THE HOME STRETCH TO THE PRIMARY.
BIL,, WE WERE TALKING -- BILL, WE WERE TALKING BEFORE WE STARTED, THIS HAS BEEN A PRETTY QUIET SEASON.
>> A LOT OF FOLKS ARE SURPRISED THAT ALINA FOLKS WAITED LONGER THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE.
.
THOUGHT.
-- THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT.
IT'S BEEN A LOT OF DOOR-TO-DOOR KIND OF GRASSROOTS CAMAIGNING.
FOR NELLY.
WHICH IS TYPICAL FOR HER.
OF COURSE GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS HAD THE BENEFIT OF BEING IN OFFICE AND GETTING SOME OF THAT NONPAID PI, YOU COULD CALL IT, DOING BUSINESS OF BEING THE GOVERNOR.
I THOUGHT IT WOULD'VE BEEN A LITTLE MORE LIVELY, YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT, WE ARE ONLY A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH OUT FROM THE PRIMARY.
AS YOU KNOW, ANGEL, IT IS HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO PAY ATTENTION IN AUGUST.
THEY ARE TRYING TO SQUEEZE IN THEIR VACATIONS, THE KIDS ARE GETTING READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PRIMARY IS ON TOP OF YOU.
SO I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.
I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF PEOPLE REALLY START TO RAMP UP.
HOW EFFECTIVE THAT WILL BE.
>> CAN EARLY VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 24.
WHEN YOU DID RUN, ANGEL, AND 2014 COME -- IN 2014, WHAT WAS A STRATEGY?
>> YOU WANT TO ENGAGE AS MANY VOTERS AS YOU CAN, THAT IS WITH THE CAMPAIGN IS DOING ON THEIR OWN WAY, ON TV, DOOR-TO-DOOR.
IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSE RACE.
EVERYTHING WE SEE IN TERMS OF THE POLLING INDICATES THAT.
NELLIE IS IN A VERY GOOD POSITION.
>> THE POLLING HAS BEEN STRONG RECENTLY.
>> EVEN THE FLEMING POLL, THIS IS ON THE WEBSITE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CROSS TABBING, SHE HAS A ONE POINT LEAD OVER MCKEE ON THE VERY LIKELY.
MCKEE WAS UP BY TWO, WHICH IS WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR.
BUT ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE, MAYBE, IF ONE ENFORCER OUT SHOT TOO, THAT'S GOING TO BE HIGH TURNOUT.
-- IF ONE IN FOUR TURNED OUT TO VOTE, THAT'S GOING TO BE A HIGH TURNOUT.
SECRETARY GORE BAY AREA IS IN A GOOD POSITION WITH THAT.
I THINK IT IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO BOTH OF THOSE.
>> YOU'VE GOT TWO GUYS ON EITHER SIDE OF YOU WHO LOVE CROSSTABS.
THEY LOVE TO DIVE RIGHT INTO THE -- >> WE WILL FIND OUT NOW, HE'S ALIGNED HIMSELF EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT ON THE SAME TICKET.
WE WILL SEE WHETHER OR NOT SHE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP THIS CAUSE.
CLEARLY THAT'S WHAT HE APPOINTED HER IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
BUT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THAT $3000 FOR EVERYBODY -- DOESN'T THAT $1500 PAYMENT COME VERY SOON?
>> IT EITHER DID OR IS ABOUT TO HIT THE BANK ACCOUNT NOW.
>> THAT'S THE POWER OF INCUMBENCY.
>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAD A BIG WEEK WHEN HE PICKED UP A COUPLE OF BIG ENDORSEMENTS FROM LABOR AND EDUCATION.
NELLY HAS ALWAYS HAD A PRETTY GOOD CAMPAIGN TEAM IN TERMS OF GETTING OUT.
THE VOTE EFFORT I PERSONALLY THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION -- THE VOTE EFFORT.
I PERSONALLY THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION.
IF THEY ARE ACCURATE, THAT IS A HIGH NUMBER TO BE 30 DAYS OUT.
TO ME IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR TEAM CAN IDENTIFY YOUR LIKELY SUPPORTERS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY VOTE.
THE GOVERNOR I THINK HAD A GOOD WEEK BECAUSE THOSE ENDORSEMENTS MAY NOT BRING A TON OF MONEY WITH THEM, BUT WHAT THEY BRING AS BODIES AND THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO ALL BE ABOUT.
HELENA FOLK SHE'S NEWS, -- HELENA FOLKS, SHE'S NEW TO THIS GAME.
IF YOU'VE GOT THE FINANCES, YOU CAN BUY A SIGNIFICANT GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORT.
>> SHE COMES ACROSS VERY INTELLIGENT, VERY CARING.
>> I'M NOT SURE ADS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE THAT THEY ONCE DID.
THERE IS SUCH AN INFLUENCE NOW WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.
THEY SPEND MONEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AS THEY SHOULD.
>> BUT GORBEYA PICKED UP THE OTHER TEACHERS UNION.
AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL.
>> THAT WAS A BIG WIN IN THAT SENSE FOR HER BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN INCUMBENT GOVERNOR.
I WILL SAY ONE THING ABOUT THE UNDER CITED, WHEN YOU ARE AN INCUMBENT GOVERNOR AND YOU HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE ALMOST TWO YEARS, A YEAR AND A HALF, AND THERE ARE THAT MANY UNDECIDEDS, THAT ALSO SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR AS WELL -- IT REFLECTS ON THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.
CERTAINLY WITH RESPECT TO MRS. FOLKS, I NEVER COUNT ANYONE OUT WHO CAN WRITE OF SEVEN-FIGURE CHECK AND SHE CERTAINLY HAS PUT ANYTHING INTO -- EVERYTHING INTO THIS.
BUT I THINK GORBEYA HAS THE BASE AND GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS THE BASE.
THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTORATE HAS MOVED TO THE LEFT.
THE PRIMARY ELECTORATE.
I LOOK AT THE MOLD OF MICHAEL BLOOMBERG WHO I HAPPEN TO LIKE, BUT I'M NOT CERTAIN THAT THERE IS THAT SPACE BEYOND WHERE SHE IS NOW.
I'VE BEEN PROVEN WRONG BEFORE.
I MIGHT BE PROVEN WRONG NOW.
>> YOU LOOK AT THE MONEY, THE GOVERNOR HAS $1.2 MILLION, GORBEYA, THEN HELENA CAN PUMP IN AS MUCH AS SHE WANTS.
HE HAS GOOD MONEY AT THIS POINT.
>> HE CERTAINLY DOES.
I'M GOING TO DISAGREE WITH BILL.
[LAUGHTER] SHOCK.
JUST A SMALL MATTER -- THE UNDECIDED COULD BE AS HIGH AS THE 20 SOME.
WE HAVE SO MANY QUALITY CANDIDATES.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE HAVE CHRIS YOUNG, MAY HE REST IN PEACE, THROWING HIS HAT IN THE RING.
THERE ARE GOOD CANDIDATES.
IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO SAY SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT ANYONE OF THEM.
>> IT MAY BE THAT THIS ELECTION IS ANOTHER INDICATOR THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE DISCUSSIONS GOING FORWARD ABOUT RANK VOTING, MAJORITIES, IN ORDER TO WIN.
I THINK THAT DISCUSSION IS OVER WITH.
IF WE SEE A RACE HERE, WHERE YOU -- AND I THINK IT IS VERY POSSIBLE BETWEEN HELENA AND GORBEYA AND GOVERNOR MCKEE THAT IT COULD BE CLOSE AND SOMEBODY CAN WIN IN THE 30'S.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> IT ADDS TO THAT DISCUSSION.
>> EXCEPT FOR GOVERNOR RAYMUNDO AND THE SECOND ELECTION, THAT WAS A BIG DEAL FOR HER.
HEELEY BACK IN 2010, KENT BLOCH WAS RUNNING COME HE SLID A LITTLE BIT OF THE BOAT.
ALL OF THAT.
WHAT ABOUT RANK CHOICE?
WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE.
>> I THINK NEW YORK CITY DID IT IN THE MAYOR'S RACE.
I ACTUALLY WAS RELIEVED IN ONE WAY.
ERIC ADAMS HAD WON THE INITIAL ROUND.
AND I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT HE WON THE RANK OF CHOICE VOTING BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE WOULD'VE FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT PROPER IF HE HAD -- IF SOMEHOW GARCIA HAD OVERCOME HIM IN THE VOTING.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT WE HAVE TO DO TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT IT.
TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND IT.
THE CHAIRMAN IS RIGHT.
IT'S A DISCUSSION IS GOING TO CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.
>> IN THE CD2 RACE, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CANDIDATES NIPPING AT MAGAZINER'S HEELS.
IT SETS UP INTERESTINGLY, GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON NATIONALLY.
>> I'M GOING TO DEFER TO THE FORMER MAYOR.
I'VE GOT MY OWN THOUGHTS ON THAT.
BUT I THINK HE'S VERY VIABLE.
I WAS WATCHING SOMETHING YESTERDAY ON CABLE NEWS.
IT WAS THE MCCARTHY -- IT WAS MCCARTHY IN THE HOUSE.
HE SAID HE'S COMING TO RHODE ISLAND.
HE THINKS THERE ARE GOING TO TAKE RHODE ISLAND.
>> HOW MUCH NATIONAL MONEY IS GOING TO COME IN?
>> IF I WAS ALAN F., I'M NOT SURE I WANT KEVIN MCCARTHY COMING TO RHODE ISLAND.
[LAUGHTER] >> SPEAKER, YOU CAN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
>> TRYING TO SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY.
>> I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR -- I LIVE IN CD1.
THERE'S A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE IN THE VOTERS IN CD1 AND CD2.
CD2, WITH CRANSTON, WARWICK, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, EVEN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP DID WELL IN CD2.
HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.
I THINK IT SETS UP FOR A TITANIC FIGHT BETWEEN SETH AND ALAN.
I THINK IT WILL BE CLOSE.
I THINK IT IS AN UNDECIDED RACE RIGHT NOW.
>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO DEPEND A LOT ON HOW ALLEN TO ITS -- ALAN TREATS THE ISSUE OF DONALD TRUMP.
HE'S BEEN DODGING AND SAYING THAT WE NEED NEW BLOOD, BUT HE HAS NOT -- >> ONE OF THE ISSUES, IT HAPPENS, IT'S HAPPENED WITH ANGEL, YOU ARE AFFILIATED WITH A PARTY, CERTAIN THINGS HAPPEN THAT.
.
YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH.
BETWEEN ROE V. WADE AND THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT, THESE RESIDUAL ISSUES MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THAT RACE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MORE ENERGIZED, AT LEAST ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, I THINK RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T THINK THOSE NATIONAL DISCUSSIONS -- I THINK THEY HELP SETH AND I THINK IT WILL ALSO DRIVE VOTER TURNOUT, IN AREAS HE NEEDS IT.
>> WHEN YOU SEE THE NUMBERS AT 68, 70%, THEY JUST DON'T WANT ANY PART OF BIDEN.
YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF THAT RUNS DOWN THE TICKET.
EVERYONE IS BLAMING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW.
>> THERE'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A SHIFT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
WHETHER IT'S ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE MIDTERMS -- HE'S PICKED UP A COUPLE OF WINS.
.
-- GAS PRICES ARE COMING DOWN.
IT WAS A RESOUNDING MESSAGE ON ABORTION RIGHTS FROM THE ELECTORATE.
>> IT SETS UP VERY NICELY FOR ALAN.
HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID A PRIMARY.
WHICH WOULD'VE DEFINITELY DRIVEN HIM TO THE RIGHTS.
TO MAKE SURE TO GET ALL THE PRIMARIES.
HE'S ABLE TO DO THAT.
HE'S GOT TO CONTEST IT -- THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.
I AGREE SETH MAGAZINER IS THE FRONT RUNNER.
I'VE BEEN AN UNDERDOG -- A BIG UNDERDOG IN THE PAST.
I KNOW THAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES LOOK AT THE PAST.
ANYONE LOOKING AT IT SAYS SETH IS THE FRONT RUNNER.
>> HAVE WITHIN THE FOR SALE SIGN ON THE CD1?
>> THE THING ABOUT IT IS, LOOK, IT IS RHODE ISLAND THAT IT'S VERY SMALL.
I THINK HE SAID HE LIVES WITHIN A MILE OF CD1.
BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO, FOR ALAN, HOW HE FARES AGAINST WARWICK AND CONSTANT.
THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THE -- AND CRANSTON.
THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THE VOTES ARE IN CD2.
WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.
THEY ARE TRYING TO NATIONALIZE A LEADER MCCARTHY, THANKS BUT NO THANKS.
THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS PROBABLY STAY OUT OF RHODE ISLAND AND MAYBE HELP RAISE MONEY QUIETLY.
I EXPECT WE WILL SEE A LOT OF NATIONAL MONEY POURED IN HERE.
BECAUSE THE SHIFT HAS BEEN -- WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS 50 TO 43 RIGHT NOW FOR DEMOCRATS, THE SWITCH HAS BEEN 10 OR 11 POINTS OVER THE LAST MONTH OR TWO.
I THINK A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE.
IT IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING RACE.
BUT I EXPECT IT WILL BE CLOSE.
>> JUST BY COINCIDENCE, WE HAVE THREE LAWYERS -- WE HAVE A POWERHOUSE AND MAYBE YOU CAN BAND TOGETHER ON SOME ISSUES.
YOU ALLUDED TO THE SUPREME COURT.
SENATOR WHITEHOUSE HAS TALKED ABOUT TERM LIMITS, SOME HAVE TALKED ABOUT PACKING THE COURT.
I WONDER WHETHER YOU THINK THE SUPREME COURT -- THEY TALKED ABOUT A CREDIBILITY ISSUE AND WHETHER THERE'S IS A BIG DISCONNECT BETWEEN SOME OF THE RULINGS OF THE COURT AND WHAT THE POPULACE FEELS.
WE ARE IN A BUBBLE NOW.
I'M SURE THIS HAS HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS COURTS.
IN THIS SNAPSHOT IN TIME, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY ADULT LIFE, THE SUPREME COURT IS PROBABLY -- PEOPLE HAVE THE LOWEST PINION THAT THEY HAVE EVER HAD THAT I CAN REMEMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT.
THEY NOW SEE THE COURT AS BEING JUST A POLITICAL ARM.
AND I THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAVE -- I AM A LAWYER, SO YOU LOOK AT IT DIFFERENTLY, I DON'T THINK AVERAGE PERSON GETS UP AND THINKS, WHAT IS A SUPREME COURT DOING TODAY?
BUT I THINK ROBIE WOULD WAS A HUGE WAKE-UP CALL FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT ORDINARILY PAY ATTENTION TO THE SUPREME COURT TO SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS KIND OF THING WOULD REALLY HAPPEN, IN THIS DAY AND AGE.
I THINK PEOPLE SEE THE COURT AS VERY POLITICAL, UNLIKE -- AND I'M SURE THERE WAS PROFIT -- AND I'M SURE THERE WAS POLITICS PREVIOUSLY AND SOME OF THE HEARINGS, BUT NEVER I THINK HAVE WE SEEN, AT LEAST IN MY RECOLLECTION, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY.
I THINK PEOPLE HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OPINION AND A VERY NEGATIVE ONE ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT.
SHELDON HAS BEEN BANGING THE DRUM FOR A WHILE ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT.
THIS IS NOT ANYTHING.
>> THERE OUGHT TO BE TERM LIMITS IN THE WHITE HOUSE IF THERE'S GOING TO BE TERM LIMIT ON THE SUPREME COURT.
THE HYPOCRISY IS THERE.
>> EXCEPT YOU'VE GOT TO GET REELECTED.
IF YOU'RE A SUPREME COURT JUDGE AND YOU GET PUT ON, YOU WERE THERE FOR LIFE.
THE SUPREME COURT DOESN'T HAVE TO FACE VOTERS EVERY SIX YEARS.
>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE CHANGED CONGRESS IN RHODE ISLAND?
ONCE YOU GET INTO CONGRESS, YOU WERE THERE FOR LIFE.
IT IS LIFE TENURE LIKE ON THE SUPREME COURT.
>> BUT YOU'VE GOT TO GET ELECTED.
>> I AGREE.
LET ME PREFACE THIS.
I'M VERY PRO-CHOICE.
ABSOLUTELY.
EVERYONE IS NOW SAYING, THIS WAS A POLITICAL DECISION BECAUSE THE COURT WAS STACKED WITH CONSERVATIVES.
I, AS A LAWYER, SOMEBODY WHO CARES ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, IT WAS A VERY LIBERAL COURT BACK IN 1972 WHEN ROE V. WADE WAS DECIDED.
I THINK THAT COURT BA STARDIZED THE CONSTITUTION.
>> 50 YEARS AGO.
>> YES.
I THINK THIS WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION.
NOWHERE IN ANY LEGAL SCHOLARS MIND CAN YOU DO THAT TO THE CONSTITUTION TO SAY IT IS ALL RIGHT TO KILL A FETUS.
MY POINT IS HAVING AGAIN, I'M ACTUALLY PRO-CHOICE, BACK TO THE STATES WHICH THE SUPREME COURT DID.
AND I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM.
BUT I'M NOT THE GENERAL POPULACE, WHO LOOKS AS -- LOOKS AT THIS AS POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING.
>> I THINK THE COURT IS AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL NOW.
I THINK THEY BROUGHT IT ON THEMSELVES.
I DISAGREE WITH MR. PULNER.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON THE COURT WHO CLAIM TO BE ORIGINALISTS AND LOOK AT LANGUAGE BUT THY IGNORE THE PREAMBLE IN THE NINTH AMENDMENT WHICH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO THE PEOPLE.
THE 10TH AMENDMENT THAT RESERVES RIGHTS TO THE STATES.
THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE IN PRECEDENCE.
THAT IT IS SET IN LAW UNTIL IT ISN'T.
THEY BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS BUT THEY FORGET THE CONSTITUTION SAYS A LAW REGULATED MILITIA -- WELL-REGULATED MILITIA.
THEY BELIEVE CORPORATIONS SHOULD SPEND UNLIMITED AMOUNTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE FOUNDERS ACTUALLY BELIEVED THAT.
I DOUBT IT.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS A COURT MAJORITY RIGHT NOW THAT DOESN'T REFLECT THE COUNTRY.
WHAT IS REALLY IMPOSING THEIR POLITICAL BELIEFS -- BUT IS REALLY IMPOSING THEIR POLITICAL BELIEVES ON THE REST OF US.
ONE OF THE ISSUES IS THAT THE SUPREME COURT IS INSULATED.
I DON'T THINK WHITE HOUSE'S PROPOSAL WOULD BE FUN CONSTITUTIONAL BY THE SUPREME COURT.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT.
IT'S GOT TO GO TO THE SUPREME COURT.
[LAUGHTER] >> BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE U.S. SENATE AND THE CONGRESS LOOK AT SOMETHING THE CONSTITUTION SAYS, AND THAT IS THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT.
THAT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION.
SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY LIMIT THE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT.
>> IT WAS A PERFECT STORM OF POLITICS OF HOW WE GOT HERE, MERRICK GARLAND WHO PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE SUPREME COURT, MITCH MCCONNELL UPHOLDS THAT, THEN THE RAM THROUGH AMY CONEY BARRETT.
THAT WAS NEAR THE ELECTION.
>> THE VOTING WAS GOING ON.
>> WHILE VOTING WAS GOING ON.
THAT AND BRETT KAVANAUGH, GORSUCH AND HIM SAID THAT ROE WAS A SETTLED LAW.
IT WAS NOT ONE THING.
IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THINGS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
AND I THINK THAT IS WHY PEOPLE THINK THAT POLITICS ENTERED THE PROCESS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I THINK PEOPLE HAVE WATCHED MORE CLOSELY THAN THEY PROBABLY HAVE PREVIOUSLY.
I THINK PEOPLE FEEL NOW SORT OF PUT OFF THAT THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL -- THAT THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL IS GONE AMONG PEOPLE GENERALLY SPEAKING WITH RESPECT TO THE SUPREME COURT.
THEY HAVE ALWAYS TO SOME DEGREE, MAYBE EVEN INCORRECTLY, THE SUPREME COURT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SEEN DIFFERENTLY THAN CONGRESS OR EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE.
THERE WERE SEPARATE AND APART.
I THINK A LOT OF THAT NOW HAS BEEN WASTED.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A DISGRACEFUL THING, TO WATCH ALITO GIVE HIS LITTLE SPEECH IN ITALY.
>> WENT TO THESE GUYS EVER SHUT UP?
WHY DO THEY SPEAK PUBLICLY?
>> HE WAS LIKE A SMART LITTLE KID IN THE CLASS THAT THINKS HE'S EVERYBODY THAN EVERYBODY ELSE, AND FOR A JUSTICE TO GET UP AND BASICALLY EMBARRASS THE COUNTRY AND MAKE THESE REALLY INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS, RUBBING EVERY BUDDIES KNOWS THAT HE'S IN A POSITION TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS AND TO BUT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE -- >> HE'S BEEN PLAYING THE LONG GAME FOR A LONG TIME.
THEY THOUGHT THIS WAY SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE COURT AND BEFORE, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
TO GO FROM SETTLED LAW -- I THINK HE SAID THAT YEARS AGO, WHEN HE HAD DONE HIS CONFIRMATION -- WAS EGREGIOUSLY WRONG.
WE WOULD'VE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN THAT EARLIER.
>> BOTH CAN BE TRUE.
IT CLEARLY WAS SETTLED LAW.
IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS.
>> BUT LOU THINKS IT WAS EGREGIOUSLY WRONG.
>> WHAT ABOUT NANCY PELOSI'S VISIT TO TAIWAN?
>> THEY SCREWED THAT UP, BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT -- LOOKS LIKE THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN.
FROM WHAT WE ARE HEARING -- LEAKS LIKE THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN.
FROM WHAT WE ARE HEARING, LOOKS LIKE THE WHITE HOUSE LEAKED THAT INFORMATION.
AFTER WHAT HAPPENED IN AFGHANISTAN AND THE HORRIBLE WITHDRAWAL, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING HER TRIP TO TAIWAN.
OPEN AND SHUT CASE.
BUT THEN HE SAYS, OUR PENTAGON DOESN'T THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA.
SHE HAD TO GO.
I'M GLAD SHE WENT.
BUT SHE SHOULD'VE TAKEN SOME REPUBLICANS WITH HER SO IT WOULD'VE BEEN A BIPARTISAN SHOWING.
>> YOU WOULD'VE NEVER SEEN REPUBLICAN GO WITH HER, DON'T YOU THINK, IN THIS DAY AND AGE?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK IT WOULD'VE BEEN A GOOD IDEA AND THEY COULD'VE LOCATED SOMEBODY.
I'VE BEEN TO TAIWAN.
I WANT WITH THEN CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY YEARS AGO.
THEY ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD PEOPLE, PART OF THEIR COUNTRY, PART OF THE FACT THAT THEY DO NOT SEE THEMSELVES AS PART OF THIS ONE CHINA POLICY.
WHERE THAT IS GOING TO WIND UP -- I THINK PEOPLE EVEN IN TAIWAN HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WHERE THAT IS ALL GOING.
BUT I THINK THE SPEAKER DID THE RIGHT THING.
ONCE THE TRIP WAS PLANNED, THERE'S NO WAY IN THE WORLD THAT YOU COULD HAVE SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO GO BECAUSE CHINA SAYS I SHOULDN'T GO, THAT IS RIDICULOUS.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK, ANGEL?
>> I AGREE.
I'M GLAD SHE WENT.
WE DON'T BOW TO THREATS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES HERE IN AMERICA AND WE SHOULDN'T AND I AM GLAD SHE DID THAT.
ULTIMATELY THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T REACH OUT TO HER, WHICH WAS VERY CLEAR.
BECAUSE I THINK THE TRIP WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
>> HAVING SAID THAT, HER GOING IS GOING TO ESCALATE THE TIMEFRAME OF CHINA GOING TO TAIWAN AND TAKING IT OVER -- I HAVE EVERY BELIEF BASED ON THE PERCEPTION WORLDWIDE THAT WE HAVE A WEAK FOREIGN POLICY AND A WEAK PRESIDENT.
I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GOING TO TAIWAN BEFORE HIS TERM IS OVER.
>> YOU HAVE IT ON TAPE YOU'RE COME QUICKLY BEFORE WE GET TO OUTRAGEOUS -- AT THE DEFECTIVE MAYOR OF A BUCKET, WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON TIDEWATER LANDING?
>> HAS SOMEONE WHO LIVES THERE, I WANT TO SEE IT BE A HUGE SUCCESS.
ANYTIME YOU DO THAT KIND OF PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP DEAL OF THAT SIZE AND SCOPE, THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED.
BUT I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS SO THOSE RISKS AND DECIDED THAT THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OUTWEIGH THOSE RISKS.
IT'S NOT A SLAMDUNK BY ANY STRETCH THE IMAGINATION, BUT I THINK IT'S A TYPE OF INVESTMENT THAT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY AND IF THAT IS SUCCESSFUL, THAT WILL ALSO HAVE AN EFFECT TOWARDS PROVIDENCE AND OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE.
>> IT'S GONE FROM $83 MILLION TO $124 MILLION IN COST.
MCKEE OWNS THIS PAIR WOULD HAVE TO TELL YOU, IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL, GOOD WHEN YOU SEE THAT KIND OF COST -- FEEL GOOD, WHEN YOU SEE THOSE KINDS OF COSTS.
>> I THINK THAT THIS IS A TOUGH SITUATION.
THEY ARE LEFT IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION.
WE SHOULD NOT COMPOUND ONE MISTAKE WITH ANOTHER.
I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH.
>> SO YOU THINK THE FINANCING IS A PROBLEM.
>> I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE FINANCING.
>> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE IS EVERYTHING AS A STUDIO 38.
AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT -- AND WE HAVE BEAT IT TO DEATH -- A HORRIBLE DECISION THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.
>> IT MAKES YOU REALIZE ABOUT SHORT MONEY COMPARED TO WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
HAVE WE PAID OFF THE BOND BILL?
>> 30 YEARS?
[LAUGHTER] >> WAS IN IT LIKE NINE OR 10 YEARS?
ARE WE FINALLY DONE WITH IT?
>> I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE THAT DEFENDS THE STUDIO 30 AT SITUATION.
BUT TO LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE PROJECT NOW IN RHODE ISLAND THROUGH THAT LENS IS -- YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT.
AT SOME POINT YOU'VE GOT TO PUT IT BEHIND YOU.
JIM: ALL RIGHT.
LET'S DO OUTRAGES AND KUDOS.
>> I'VE BEEN A PROUD PAGE TURNING SUBSCRIBER TO THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
MY OUTRAGE IS THAT IT'S GOTTEN WORSE THAN IT COULD'VE EVER BEEN.
IT'S GOTTEN WORSE THEN WHEN THE LATE BUDDY SENSEI CALLED IT THE PROVIDENCE PLAN FOR.
-- PROVIDENCE PAMPHLET.
SOME PAGES ARE ALL CAR ADS, ADS, THAT IS MY OUTRAGE.
MY KUDOS IS THAT MY BEST FRIEND SAID YOU ARE AN IDIOT, DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE SPENDING?
HE SAID, GET THE E ADDITION.
IT IS NIGH -- IT IS $9.99 A MONTH AND YOU GOT USA TODAY FOR FREE AS A BONUS.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU.
I DON'T MISS PAGE TURNING ANYMORE.
I AM THRILLED WITH WHAT I HAVE.
JIM: COME INTO THE 21ST CENTURY, KICKING AND SCREAMING.
[LAUGHTER] >> I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT A KUDOS, BUT I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE MAYOR DARLING, WHO PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK, 91 YEARS OLD.
A REALLY GREAT LEADER.
PEOPLE DON'T APPRECIATE HOW GREAT OF A LEADER HE WAS.
IF YOU WANT TO A-GAME -- A GAME, YOU HAVE HIM TO THINK, HE WAS A STEWARD OF -- A GOOD STEWARD OF OUR FINANCES AND VERY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROVIDENCE.
I AM GLAD THAT I HAD A CHANCE TO MEET HIM.
AND TALK WITH HIM.
AT CITY HALL.
TO NAME OUR MUNICIPAL BUILDING AFTER HIM.
I HOPE PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER HIM FINALLY.
BECAUSE HE WAS A SAVVY POLITICIAN.
>> I LOVE READING THE RETROSPECTIVES.
MARK HAD A GREAT COLUMN ON HIM.
I'VE BEEN AROUND SINCE DIRT.
AND HE WAS BEFORE MY TIME.
SO ANOTHER ALL THE YEARS, THIS IS A STUNNING THING.
I'VE BEEN WORKING IN THIS MARKET 40 YEARS AND HE NEVER MET JOE DORLEY.
>> YOU WOULD'VE SEEN THEM AT THE WILLOWS.
>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE, BILL?
>> MINE IS AN OUTRAGE.
THE BIG OIL COMPANIES.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF OUTRAGES OUT THERE.
BUT TO LOOK AT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING THROUGH, EVERY TIME THE FULL UP THEIR CAR OR TRY TO DECIDE IF THEY CAN TAKE A VACATION, BECAUSE OF THE COST OF GAS, THAN THEY RELEASE A REPORT -- THEN THEY RELEASE A REPORT WITHIN THE LAST WEE OR SO THAT CHEVRON, EXXON -- >> $17 BILLION.
>> IN PROFITS.
AND ANOTHER SIX TO BILLION DOLLARS THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
THEY MADE A COMBINED TOTAL OF $273 BILLION, OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THEY MADE THE SAME TIME PERIOD A YEAR AGO, IT IS UNBELIEVABLE.
PEOPLE SHOULD BE OUTRAGED.
>> IF WE WERE ENERGY INDEPENDENT LIKE WE WERE BEFORE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE, YOU WOULDN'T SEE THESE TYPES OF PROFITS.
AND YOU WOULD STILL SEE GAS AT $2.5 A GALLON.
>> GO BACK TO READING THE PAPER VERSION.
COME ON.
[LAUGHTER] >> IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THEY ARE LETTING THE COMPANIES PILLAGE ALL OF US EVERY TIME WE FILL OUR .
TANK UP.
>> TO THEY SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL MOVING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS?
SO MAKE A PROFIT WHAT YOU CAN NOW?
>> STEAL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN NOW SO -- >> I'M NOT SAYING IT'S RIGHT.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT THEORY?
>> I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY -- -- THERE IS ABSOLUTELY SOME TRUTH TO IT.
I THINK THE OIL COMPANIES ARE AWARE OF THAT.
AND I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE DISGRACED AT THE FACT THAT THEY USE THIS DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE.
EUROPE EVEN MORE THAN HERE.
TO INFLATE THE PRICES FAR BEYOND WHAT THEY NEED THEM TO BE.
IT'S AMAZING.
JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE HERE WOULD APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US.
TAVERAS.
LYNCH.
AND PULNER.
COMING TO A FIRM SOON.
[LAUGHTER] >> FOLKS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
IF YOU CAN'T SEE US FRIDAY AT 7:00 OR SUNDAY AT NOON, WE ARE ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.
CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER.
ALL OUR SHOWS ARE ARCHIVED.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK, WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST FOR YOU AND ALL THE ANALYSIS ON THE RACES GOING ON.
"LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.
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