Meet the Press full broadcast — March 24
Summary
TLDRIn this interview, former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer discusses the impact of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, and his views on the current state of the Supreme Court. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the real-world consequences of court rulings and expresses disappointment over the leak of the draft opinion. Justice Breyer also shares his thoughts on the retirement process and the ideological balance of the Court, highlighting the need for a non-partisan approach to judicial appointments.
Takeaways
- 💰 President Biden has a cash advantage over Donald Trump in the 2024 campaign, highlighting the financial disparity between the two potential candidates.
- 🏦 Trump's legal bills are mounting, and he is seeking campaign donors to help pay them, indicating financial strain on his campaign.
- 🤝 Ronna McDaniel, former RNC chair, discusses the tension and friction within the Republican Party, particularly regarding the handling of debates and the nomination process.
- 🚨 McDaniel's interview raises questions about the role of the RNC in the 2020 election and the party's future direction.
- 🎤 The panel discussion highlights the importance of journalistic integrity and the challenges of representing diverse viewpoints in the media.
- 📖 Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer speaks on the impact of the Dobbs decision and the importance of considering real-world consequences in constitutional interpretation.
- 🚨 Breyer's retirement and the changing ideological balance on the Supreme Court are discussed, emphasizing the impact of these changes on future court decisions.
- 🤔 The conversation with Breyer touches on the potential for compromise in Supreme Court decisions, but also the difficulty in predicting the long-term effects of such decisions.
- 📉 Trust in the Supreme Court is reported to be near an all-time low, reflecting increased political polarization and public skepticism.
- 🏛️ The historical context of Supreme Court nominations is provided, contrasting the bipartisan support for Breyer's appointment with the current highly partisan confirmation process.
- 📚 Breyer's new book, 'Reading the Constitution,' is mentioned as a resource for understanding his perspective on constitutional interpretation and the role of the Court.
Q & A
What is the main topic of discussion in the interview with Ronna McDaniel?
-The main topic of discussion in the interview with Ronna McDaniel is her stepping down as RNC Chair, her views on the 2020 election, the Republican Party's stance on various issues, and her thoughts on the current political climate.
What was Ronna McDaniel's response to the claim that she enabled Donald Trump to spread election lies?
-Ronna McDaniel defended her actions by stating that there were genuine concerns about the 2020 election at the time, but she also acknowledged that Joe Biden is the legitimate President and that the election was certified and done.
How did Ronna McDaniel address the issue of her credibility after her statements on the 2020 election?
-Ronna McDaniel argued that she has always acknowledged Biden as the President and that expressing concerns about the election does not negate his legitimacy. She also emphasized her commitment to the Republican Party and her belief in having different viewpoints in the country's political discourse.
What was Justice Stephen Breyer's stance on the overturning of Roe v. Wade?
-Justice Stephen Breyer dissented on the overturning of Roe v. Wade and expressed disappointment in the decision, highlighting the life-altering consequences of such a ruling and the importance of considering the real-world impacts of constitutional interpretations.
What did Justice Breyer suggest about the Supreme Court's decision-making process?
-Justice Breyer suggested that the Supreme Court's decision-making process should not be solely based on the original text of the Constitution but should also consider the real-world consequences of its rulings, emphasizing the importance of understanding the details relevant to important decisions.
How did Justice Breyer respond to the question about the potential for a compromise on the Dobbs case?
-Justice Breyer did not provide a direct answer to the question about a potential compromise on the Dobbs case. He stated that he usually hopes for compromise but did not want to speculate or make news about the case.
What was the context behind the discussion on the Supreme Court's handling of the 2020 election cases?
-The context behind the discussion on the Supreme Court's handling of the 2020 election cases was the then-upcoming arguments about Donald Trump's claim to be immune from criminal prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The discussion revolved around the Court's decision to take up the case and the potential impact on public trust in the Court.
What was the panel's reaction to Ronna McDaniel's interview?
-The panel expressed mixed reactions to Ronna McDaniel's interview. Some panelists questioned her credibility and motives, given her role as a paid contributor to NBC News and her past actions as RNC Chair. Others discussed the importance of ideological diversity in media and the challenges of navigating political interviews.
What did the panel discuss regarding the future of the Supreme Court and its legitimacy?
-The panel discussed the decreasing public trust in the Supreme Court, the hyperpartisan politics affecting its confirmation process, and the historical context of Justice Breyer's own confirmation, which was less partisan than recent ones. They also touched on the potential benefits of term limits for Supreme Court Justices.
How did Justice Breyer view the impact of the Dobbs decision?
-Justice Breyer anticipated that the Dobbs decision would lead to a number of issues coming to the courts, particularly due to the overruling of Roe v. Wade. He expressed his belief that the decision had real-world consequences and was a significant departure from the Court's previous interpretations of the Constitution.
What was Justice Breyer's perspective on the retirement of Supreme Court Justices?
-Justice Breyer acknowledged that deciding to retire from the Supreme Court is a difficult decision. He mentioned considering the right time to retire, the opportunity for others to serve, and the challenges of making tough decisions at an advanced age.
Outlines
💰 Campaign Finances and Legal Bills
The paragraph discusses the financial aspects of the 2024 campaign, highlighting President Biden's cash advantage over Donald Trump. It mentions Trump's legal bills and his request for campaign donors to help pay them. The conversation shifts to Ronna McDaniel, former RNC chair, discussing the Republican Party's financial strategy and the impact of Trump's legal issues on the campaign.
🗳️ Election Integrity and RNC's Role
This section delves into the former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the stress this has placed on American institutions. It includes an exclusive interview with former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, discussing the weight of considering cases central to the presidential election. The conversation also touches on the Supreme Court's decision on Trump's immunity and prosecution for his election subversion efforts.
🎙️ Ronna McDaniel's Interview and RNC's Strategy
In this segment, Ronna McDaniel shares insights into her decision to step down as RNC chair, the tension during the debates, and her stance on Trump's potential return as the party's nominee. McDaniel discusses the fundraising agreement between the Trump campaign and the RNC, and her views on using donations to pay Trump's legal bills. She also addresses criticisms about her tenure as RNC chair.
🚨 Trump's January 6th Remarks and McDaniel's Response
The paragraph focuses on the aftermath of the 2020 election, particularly the events of January 6th. McDaniel strongly condemns the violence that occurred, stating it does not represent the Republican Party. She discusses Trump's comments about freeing those convicted of crimes related to January 6th and her disagreement with such a stance. McDaniel emphasizes the importance of not attacking the Capitol and the necessity of denouncing the events of that day.
📞 The Controversial Phone Call and Election Certification
This section details a controversial phone call involving Ronna McDaniel and Donald Trump, urging Michigan officials not to certify the election results. McDaniel defends her actions by stating her concern was for the safety of the officials after they faced threats and intimidation. She clarifies her position on the election certification process and the need for audits, while also expressing regret for the threats faced by election workers.
🤝 Bipartisanship and the Future of the RNC
The discussion here revolves around the challenges of bipartisanship and the future direction of the Republican Party. McDaniel talks about the importance of different viewpoints and the need for respectful dialogue. She also addresses criticisms of her credibility and the perception that she enabled Trump's election lies. McDaniel emphasizes her commitment to the country and her desire for open conversations in the political discourse.
👨⚖️ Justice Breyer on Interpreting the Constitution
Justice Stephen Breyer shares his views on interpreting the Constitution, emphasizing the importance of considering the real-world consequences of rulings. He discusses the change in how people interpret legal documents and the potential impact of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Breyer also touches on the role of the Supreme Court in the current political climate and the importance of public trust in the institution.
📚 Justice Breyer's New Book and Legal Philosophy
Justice Breyer discusses his new book, which advocates for looking beyond the original text of the Constitution to understand the intentions behind it. He explains why he believes this approach is crucial for interpreting the law and making decisions. The conversation also includes Breyer's thoughts on the potential for compromise in legal decisions and his views on the leak of the Dobbs draft opinion.
🎖️ Justice Breyer's Tenure and Retirement
In this part, Justice Breyer reflects on his tenure on the Supreme Court and the decision to retire. He discusses the difficulty of leaving the Court and the considerations that went into his decision. Breyer also talks about the potential benefits of having term limits for Supreme Court Justices and his belief that such a system would not be harmful.
🏛️ The Changing Confirmation Process and Public Trust
The panelists discuss the changing landscape of Supreme Court nominations, noting the increasing politicization and the impact on public trust. They reflect on Justice Breyer's confirmation process, which was bipartisan, and contrast it with more recent, highly partisan confirmations. The conversation highlights the need for reform in the confirmation process to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Supreme Court
💡Roe v. Wade
💡Originalism
💡Compromise
💡Leak
💡Retirement
💡Ideological Balance
💡Confirmation Process
💡Public Trust
💡Partisan Politics
Highlights
President Biden has a cash advantage in the 2024 campaign, contrasting with Donald Trump's lead in the polls.
Trump's legal bills are mounting, and he is urging campaign donors to help pay them.
Ronna McDaniel, the former RNC chair, discusses the tension and friction during the debate process.
McDaniel implies she was pushed out of her role due to Trump's desire to have his allies take over.
The RNC is now fully formed in Trump's image, with Trump's daughter-in-law and a new fundraiser benefiting his campaign and legal bills.
McDaniel defends the RNC's role in the 2020 election and the subsequent legal battles.
Justice Stephen Breyer speaks out about the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and his thoughts on potential compromises.
Breyer's retirement from the Supreme Court and his perspectives on the nomination process and the Court's public trust.
The panel discusses the credibility of Ronna McDaniel as a contributor to NBC News and her past actions as RNC chair.
Justice Breyer's views on the importance of understanding the real-world consequences of Supreme Court rulings.
The discussion on whether the public deserves to know the verdict in the election subversion case before November.
Breyer's thoughts on the potential for future overturning of Dobbs and the impact of the leaked draft opinion.
The historical context of Supreme Court nominations and the changing political landscape.
Justice Breyer's suggestions for term limits on Supreme Court Justices to avoid politicization.
The challenges of deciding to retire from the Supreme Court and the considerations involved.
Justice Breyer's reflections on his time at the Supreme Court and the difficulty of stepping down.
The panel's insights into the future of the Supreme Court and the implications of Justice Breyer's retirement.
The importance of public trust in the Supreme Court and the impact of recent events on this trust.
Transcripts
>>> THIS SUNDAY, PARTY TAKEOVER.
>>> THIS SUNDAY, PARTY TAKEOVER.
DONALD TRUMP MAY BE LEADING IN
THE POLLS, BUT IT'S PRESIDENT
BIDEN WHO HAS THE CASH ADVANTAGE
IN THE 2024 CAMPAIGN.
>> WE HAVE TO RAISE A LOT OF
MONEY.
>> AS HIS LEGAL BILLS MOUNT,
TRUMP WANTS CAMPAIGN DONORS TO
HELP PAY THEM.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF CASH AND WE
HAVE A GREAT COMPANY, BUT THEY
WANT TO TAKE IT AWAY.
THEY'D LIKE TO TAKE THE CASH
AWAY SO I CAN'T USE IT ON THE
CAMPAIGN.
>> IS THAT A WINNING STRATEGY?
I'LL SPEAK WITH RONNA McDANIEL.
THE FORMER CHAIRWOMAN OF THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
PLUS, SUPREME DECISIONS.
FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
STEPHEN BREYER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT
THE DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V.
WADE.
>> DID YOU THINK THAT A
COMPROMISE WAS POSSIBLE BEFORE
THE WEEK AROUND 15 WEEKS?
>> I USUALLY HOPE FOR
COMPROMISE.
>> AND HIS DECISION TO STEP DOWN
FROM THE COURT.
>> IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU TO
DECIDE TO RETIRE.
>> JOINING ME FOR INSIGHT AND
ANALYSIS ARE, NBC NEWS CHIEF
POLITICAL ANALYST CHUCK TODD.
KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR, SENIOR
OPINION WRITER FOR THE BOSTON
GLOBE AND STEPHEN HAYES, EDITOR
OF THE DISPATCH.
WELL
WELCOME TO SUNDAY.
IT'S MEET THE PRESS".
>> FROM NBC NEWS IN WASHINGTON,
THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW IN
TELEVISION HISTORY, THIS IS
"MEET THE PRESS" WITH KRISTEN
WELKER.
>>> GOOD SUNDAY MORNING.
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S
EFFORT TO OVERTURN THE 2020
ELECTION IS PUTTING AN
UNPRECEDENTED STRESS TEST ON
AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS AHEAD OF
THE 2024 ELECTION.
WITH A SUPREME COURT ALREADY
DECIDING TRUMP CAN REMAIN ON THE
BALLOT IN COLORADO, NOW WEIGHING
WHETHER HE HAS TOTAL IMMUNITY
AND PROSECUTION FOR HIS ELECTION
SUBVERSION EFFORTS, THIS WEEK I
SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH FORMER
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE STEPHEN
BREYER WHERE I ASKED HIM ABOUT
THE WEIGHT A JUSTICE FIELDS WHEN
CONSIDERING THESE CASES THAT
HAVE BECOME CENTRAL TO THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
>> CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE WEIGHT
THAT YOU FELT, THAT ONE FEELS AS
A JUSTICE WHEN YOU ARE PRESENTED
WITH A CASE OF A PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION.
>> THIS IS NOT JUST AN ELECTION.
IMAGINE YOU WERE ON THE COURT
THAT DECIDED BROWN VERSUS BOARD
OF EDUCATION.
IMAGINE THAT YOU WERE ON THE
COURT THAT HAD TO DECIDE, WELL,
FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER PRESIDENT
NIXON WAS IMMUNE FROM GIVING --
DIDN'T HAVE TO TURN THE TAPES
OVER TO R.G. COX.
IMAGINE THAT.
>> MORE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH
JUSTICE BREYER IS COMING UP, BUT
FIRST, I'LL BE JOINED BY FORMER
RNC CHAIR RONNA McDANIEL IN HER
FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE STEPPING
DOWN AS PARTY CHAIR.
IN FULL DISCLOSURE TO OUR
VIEWERS, THIS INTERVIEW WAS
SCHEDULED WEEKS BEFORE IT WAS
ANNOUNCED THAT McDANIEL HAD
BECOME A PAID NBC NEWS
CONTRIBUTOR.
THIS WILL BE A NEWS INTERVIEW,
AND I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN HER
HIRING.
THIS WEEK WE EARN WELLEDLEARNED
TRUMP'S GRIP ON THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY IS IMPACTING THE GOP'S
BOTTOM LINE.
IT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE CASH
OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, WHILE THE
PRESIDENT HAS SHARPENED HIS
ATTACKS WITH HIS PREDECESSOR
OVER HIS MOUNTING LEGAL DEBTS.
TRUMP HAS A NEW FUNDRAISER WITH
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
COMMITTEE THAT WILL FILTER
DONATIONS TO BOTH HIS CAMPAIGN
AND THE SUPER PAC PAYING HIS
CAMPAIGN BEFORE THE RNC GETTING
A CUT.
WITH MICHAEL WATLEY AND HIS
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, LAURA TRUMP,
THE PARTY IS NOW FULLY FORMED IN
TRUMP'S IMAGE.
>> WE ARE GOING TO DETERMINE THE
FATE OF NOT ONLY THE UNITED
STATES, BUT OF THE ENTIRE WORLD
AND THIS BODY, THE RNC, IS GOING
TO BE THE VANGUARD OF A MOVEMENT
THAT WILL WORK TIRELESSLY EVERY
SINGLE DAY TO ELECT OUR NOMINEE
DONALD J. TRUMP.
>> WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE
THAT EVERY SINGLE PENNY OF EVERY
DOLLAR RAISED GOES TOWARDS ONE
GOAL WHICH IS WINNING.
>> JOINING ME NOW IS FORMER RNC
CHAIR RONNA McDANIEL.
WELCOME BACK TO "MEET THE PRESS"
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> LET'S START WITH YOUR
DECISION TO STEP DOWN AS RNC
CHAIR.
IF YOU CAN TAKE ME BEHIND THE
SCENES A LITTLE BIT.
WERE YOU PUSHED OUT OF YOUR
ROLE?
>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT AS
RNC CHAIR WE HAVE TO REMAIN
NEUTRAL ANDEE WE HAD DEBATES AND
THERE WAS TENSION AND FRICTION
THAT STARTED DURING THAT
PROCESS.
IT WAS WELL PLAYED OUT IN THE
MEDIA, AND I KNEW AT THAT POINT
WHEN I WAS DOING THAT ROLE AND
WE WERE GOING TO HAVE DEBATES
THAT WHEN THE NOMINEE CAME
FORWARD AND IT WAS LIKELY TO BE
PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT THEY WOULD
WANT TO SWITCH, AND THAT'S HIS
RIGHT AS A NOMINEE.
>> SO WERE YOU PUSHED OUT BY
HIM?
>> HE ABSOLUTELY WANTED ME TO
MOVE ASIDE AND WANTED MICHAEL
WHATLEY AND LARA TRUMP TO COME
IN.
>> YOU PUT OUT THAT STATEMENT
EFFECTIVELY CALLING ON NIKKI
HALEY TO STEP OUT OF THE RACE?
CAN YOU SAY YOU WERE NEUTRAL?
>> I CAN'T.
WE HAD A NEUTRAL PRIMARY AND WE
HAD DEBATES AND THE DEMOCRATS
DIDN'T HAVE DEBATES AND NOW THEY
HAVE RFK JR. AS A THIRD PARTY, I
THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO OUR
PUBLIC DISCOURSE SO YES, I WAS
NEUTRAL, BUT AS I SAID AT THAT
TIME THERE WAS NO MATH AND NO
PATH AND THAT WAS TRUE, AND SO
WE DID NEED TO CONSOLIDATE
BEHIND THE NOMINEE AND THAT'S
WHAT I DID.
>> YOU TALK ABOUT THE TEPGDZS
AROUND THE DEBATES.
WAS THERE A BREAKING POINT WITH
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
AND YOU?
>> IT WAS A LOT OF TENSION WITH
THE CAMPAIGN.
HE REALLY DID NOT FEEL LIKE WE
SHOULD HAVE DEBATES.
HE SAID THIS PUBLICLY.
I GOT A LOT OF PHONE CALLS.
>> FROM HIM?
PHONE CALLS FROM TRUMP DIRECTLY.
>> FROM HIS CAMPAIGN AND I
TALKED TO HIM DIRECTLY.
>> YOU SAW SUPPORTERS.
DON'T GIVE TO THE RNC.
DON'T HAVE DEBATES.
LISTEN, THERE ARE A LOT OF
PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT PRESIDENT
TRUMP IN OUR PARTY, BUT THERE
ARE OTHERS WHO DIDN'T AND THEY
NEEDED TO SEE THAT PROCESS TO
PLAY OUT TO SAY THIS WAS FAIR,
MY CANDIDATE WAS GIVEN AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
THE VOTERS DECIDED, AND THIS IS
THE NOMINEE, AND BECAUSE WE LET
THAT PROCESS PLAY OUT HE HAS --
HE'S THE NOMINEE WITHOUT A THIRD
PARTY RUNNING AGAINST HIM WHICH
IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE
DEMOCRATS DID.
>> YOU WERE REPLACED BY DONALD
TRUMP'S HAND PICKED ALLIES
INCLUDING HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
LARA TRUMP AND NOW THERE IS A
FUND-RAISING AGREEMENT WHICH
BASICALLY MEANS THE DONATIONS GO
TO THE SUPER PAC TO PAY FOR HIS
LEGAL BILLS BEFORE THEY GO TO
THE RNC.
IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR DONALD
TRUMP TO ASK DONORS TO PAY FOR
HIS LEGAL BILLS.
>> AS LONG AS THE DONORS KNOW
THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
IT IS IN THE WATERFALL OF IT.
IT IS SAVE AMERICA BEFORE THE
RNC.
WHAT I ALSO THINK THAT MEANS IS
THAT THE CAMPAIGNS OR THE RNC IS
BEING TRUTHFUL WHEN THEY SAY
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PAY THE
LEGAL BILLS AND IT IS GOING TO
RUN THROUGH THE SAVE AMERICA
PACT.
>> ULTIMATELY, THESE DONATIONS
ARE GOING FIRST TO PAY HIS LEGAL
BILLS.
PEOPLE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING IN
SOME CASES TO MAKE ENDS MEET, IS
THERE NOT AN ETHICAL CHALLENGE
WITH THAT?
>> IF THEY FEEL TRONGLY TO
SUPPORT HIS LEGAL BILLS THEN
THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO,
AND I THINK HE'S BEING VERY OPEN
THAT THEY'RE HELPING WITH HIS
LEGAL BILLS.
>> YOU PAID $2 MILLION FOR HIS
LEGAL BILLS WHILE HE WAS STILL
IN OFFICE.
DO YOU HAVE REGRETS OF THAT?
DO YOU THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE?
>> AS A FORMER PRESIDENT AND
SOMEONE WHO RAISED A LOT OF
MONEY INTO THE RNC, WE PAID LESS THAN $2 MILLION IN LEGAL BILLS
THAN $2 MILLION IN LEGAL BILLS
AND WE DIDN'T ONCE HE BECAME A
NOMINEE OR CANDIDATE WE CUT THAT
OFF.
IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU'RE A
FORMER PRESIDENT THAN WHEN
YOU'RE A CANDIDATE.
>> ONE TOLD POLITICO YOU WERE A,
QUOTE, FAILED CHAIR.
ANOTHER SAID WE LOST THE SENATE
AND THE WHITE HOUSE WHIL SHE WAS
CHAIR.
DID YOU DESERVE TO STAY ON WITH
THAT TRACK RECORD, RONNA?
>> YOU KNOW, I PUSH BACK ON THAT
VERY HARD.
THE FACT THAT UNDER MY TIME AS
CHAIR WE'VE HAD MORE WOMEN IN
CONGRESS EVER THAN IN THE
HISTORY OF OUR PARTY, THAT WE'VE
HAD MORE MINORITY GROWTH IN OUR
PARTY AND THAT DIDN'T JUST
HAPPEN.
I HAD OFFICES OPEN IN BLACK,
ASIAN, HISPANIC COMMUNITIES THAT
WE HAD IGNORED AS A PARTY AND WE
HAVE SEEN GROWTH AS A RESULT,
WHICH BY THE WAY, WE'RE SEEING
IN THIS ELECTION, AS WELL AND
THEN I'M GOING TO POINT OUT TO
THIS.
THE RNC, WE DON'T DO THE
MESSAGING AND WE DON'T PICK THE
CANDIDATES.
WE'RE A TURNOUT.
IF YOU LOOK AT 2022, JUST 2022,
WE TURNED OUT 4 MILLION MORE
REPUBLICANS AND WE WOULD HAVE
WON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE BASED
ON THE TURNOUT.
WHAT I SAY TO PEOPLE IF WE'RE
BUILDING THE ROAD THAT ALL OF
THE CANDIDATES DRIVE ON, AND ONE
CANDIDATE GOT TO THE FINISH LINE
THE ROAD ISN'T THE PROBLEM.
IT'S CANDIDATE TO CANDIDATE.
I VIEW MY RNC TENURE AS A
SUCCESS.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ELECTION
NOW.
DONALD TRUMP SAYS ONE OF HIS
FIRST ACTS IF HE IS RE-ELECTED
TO A SECOND TERM WOULD BE,
QUOTE, TO FREE THOSE CHARGED AND
CONVICTED OF CRIMES RELATED TO
JANUARY 6th.
DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?
>> I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.
THE VIOLENCE THAT HAPPENED ON
JANUARY 6th IS UNACCEPTABLE.
IT DOESN'T REPRESENT OUR
COUNTRY.
IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT REPRESENT
MY PARTY.
WE SHOULD NOT BE ATTACKING THE
CAPITOL.
WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING
VIOLENCE.
I SAID IT THAT DAY.
I PUT A STATEMENT OUT THAT DAY
THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
IF YOU ATTACKED OUR CAPITOL AND
YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED THEN
THAT SHOULD STAY.
>> SO THEN TO THE QUESTION,
THOUGH, DO YOU DISAGREE WITH
TRUMP SAYING THAT HE'LL FREE
THOSE --
>> I DO NOT THINK THAT PEOPLE
WHO COMMITTED VIOLENT ACTS ON
JANUARY 6th SHOULD BE FREE.
>> SO YOU DISAGREE.
HE'S BEEN SAYING THAT FOR
MONTHS?
WHY NOT SPEAK OUT EARLIER?
WHY NOT SPEAK OUT ABOUT THAT
NOW?
>> WHEN YOU'RE THE RNC CHAIR YOU
TAKE ONE FOR THE WHOLE TEAM,
RIGHT?
NOW I CAN GET TO BE MORE MYSELF,
RIGHT?
THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE.
I DON'T THINK VIOLENCE SHOULD BE
IN OUR POLITICAL DISCOURSE,
REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, AND I
DISAGREE WITH THAT.
I AGREE WITH HIM ON A WHOLE HOST
OF OTHER THINGS.
LET'S CLOSE THE BORDER.
LET'S MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD
INCOMES FOR PEOPLE.
LET'S MAKE SURE WE DO A LOT OF
GREAT THING, BUT ON THAT POINT I
DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE FREEING
PEOPLE WHO VIOLENTLY ATTACKED
CAPITOL HILL POLICE OFFICERS AND
ATTACKED THE CAPITOL.
>> RONNA, THAT IS SUCH A
FUNDAMENTAL POINT.
SUCH A FUNDAMENTAL POINT TO OUR
DEMOCRACY.
YOU SAY YOU STILL SUPPORT HIM
AND YOU WILL VOTE FOR HIM BASED
ON THAT.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO
HEAR THAT ANSWER AND FEEL IT'S
HYPOCRITICAL TO VOTE ON HIM.
>> I THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE A
CHOICE, RIGHT?
EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AT THEIR
CANDIDATES AND THEY MAY SAY I
DON'T LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT
THIS, I DISAGREE WITH THIS AND I
DON'T LIKE WHEN WHEN THEY SAY
THIS.
FOR ME WHEN I LOOK AT MY STATE
OF MICHIGAN AND THE COST OF
FOOD, THE COST OF RENT, THE COST
OF INSURANCE THAT I FEEL LESS
SAFE.
CRIME IS ON THE RISE, THAT WE'RE
SEEING FENTANYL COME ACROSS OUR
BORDER AND OPEN BORDER, I DON'T
THINK THERE'S ANY CHOICE, BUT TO
VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN EVEN
THOUGH YOU MAY HAVE
DISAGREEMENTS, IT'S HIM ORRED
BIEN AND THAT'S THE CHOICE.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, CRIME SHOWS
IT'S GOING DOWN IN MAJOR CITIES