Topic: Governors

Eric Swalwell issued a public apology to his wife for "mistakes in judgment" while flatly denying multiple allegations of sexual assault. The allegations emerged during his campaign for Governor of California, leading to his wife filing for divorce and seeking full custody of their children. Swalwell maintains that the claims are false and timed to sabotage his political career.

California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has urged lower-performing candidates to drop out of the governor's race to avoid splitting the vote and allowing a Republican-on-Republican runoff. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond criticized the move, claiming the party is unfairly targeting candidates of color. Current polling shows a tight race between Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco and several prominent Democrats.

A potential run for the office of Governor of Texas is discussed as a future career move. The conversation covers the logistics of moving to Austin, the power of the position, and the role of a political advisor in a hypothetical campaign to succeed Greg Abbott.

Discussion centers on how mainstream media outlets manipulate public perception through selective story coverage, specifically regarding a controversial figure named Jay Jones. The segment also notes that Katie Porter is currently leading the race for Governor of California by 17 points despite receiving negative coverage in alternative media circles.

A post-election video of Kamala Harris telling supporters "don't let anybody take your power" goes viral, with critics describing her delivery as erratic. The hosts speculate that the release of the video might be a "sabotage move" by internal rivals within the Democratic party to prevent her from running for Governor of California.

President Biden met with 25 Democratic governors at the White House to shore up support following his widely panned debate performance. While Governor Kathy Hochul expressed public support, the hosts note that Representative Lloyd Doggett has called for Biden to step aside, and they analyze Biden's physical gait and scripted radio interviews.

Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project appeared on MSNBC with Katie Tur to discuss Donald Trump's debate performance, characterizing him as a "pathological liar." The discussion touched on Trump's claims regarding infanticide, which referenced controversial 2019 comments by the Governor of Virginia. Critics argue that the media's focus on Trump's "lies" is a tactic to distract from Biden's poor performance and boost cable news ratings.

A speculative discussion explores a "Plan B" for the Democratic ticket involving Hillary Clinton replacing Kamala Harris. The hosts suggest Harris might be moved to a California gubernatorial run or exit due to a family health crisis involving Doug Emhoff. They posit that Clinton would be more likely to invoke the 25th Amendment against Biden than Harris would.

Governor Kathy Hochul signed laws to protect kids online, which the hosts link to the rollout of the New York Mobile ID. This digital credential allows users to store their driver's license on smartphones for use at airports and bars. While promoted as secure and private, the hosts argue it is a step toward normalized digital surveillance and the end of physical privacy.

NPR reports that one in five adults seeking healthcare use cannabis, primarily for sleep and anxiety. The discussion shifts to "internet addiction," with New York Governor Kathy Hochul signing laws to restrict social media algorithms for minors. The hosts compare the narrative around social media addiction to past campaigns against cigarettes and suggest these laws are a precursor to requiring digital IDs for online access.

A 2011 executive order by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton forming a task force on bullying is cited as a precursor to modern speech restrictions. The argument is made that "emotional torture" and "harassment" were terms used to establish a framework for monitoring student behavior, which has now evolved into broader internet monitoring.

Rudy Giuliani predicts that evidence of election fraud will "blow up" following Christmas, leading to the decertification of results in several swing states. A lawsuit by the Amistad Project argues that governors in states like Michigan are unconstitutionally preventing legislatures from meeting to perform their certification duties. The report alleges that some state officials have even threatened lawmakers with criminal investigation for looking into voter fraud.

In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey reportedly seized hotel rooms to house migrants, leading to the cancellation of existing reservations for a wedding party over Columbus Day weekend. The "boots on the ground" report describes the situation as a nightmare for local residents and travelers. The incident is cited as an example of state overreach in managing the migrant crisis.

Tucker Carlson's appearance on the Adam Carolla show is analyzed, specifically his claims regarding personal wealth and his past desire to join the CIA. The hosts discuss Carlson's father's role as head of the Broadcast Board of Governors and the repeal of the Smith-Mundt Act. They compare Carlson's background to other media figures like Kara Swisher.

A judge dismisses Kari Lake's lawsuit to overturn the Arizona gubernatorial election results, citing a lack of evidence of intentional fraud. Testimony is highlighted regarding "19-inch ballot images" being printed on 20-inch paper, which allegedly caused tabulators to reject ballots in Maricopa County.

Former CDC Director Robert Redfield, acting as an advisor to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, reports that 40% of COVID-19 deaths in Maryland over a recent six-to-eight-week period were fully vaccinated individuals. This contradicts the narrative that breakthrough deaths are extremely rare.

The hosts jokingly discuss an "exit strategy" from the podcast, which includes one host running for Governor of Texas in 2028. They envision a campaign involving cowboy hats and ceremonial gunfire, while the other host serves as a political advisor.

Saturday Night Live continued filming with live audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a legal loophole. The show paid audience members $150 each to classify them as workers rather than spectators, allowing them to bypass New York's indoor gathering restrictions. This practice occurred despite Governor Cuomo's threats to shut down indoor dining and other activities in New York City.

Governor Cuomo expresses concern over young people spreading COVID-19 at bars, leading to a discussion on the "anarchy" of block parties. A humorous aside addresses the host's association with "pomo chips." The segment concludes with a rapid-fire list of "Trump's wars," ranging from his conflicts with the FBI and the press to his "war on science" and "war on the truth."

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple announced a "solid" sex crimes complaint against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for a misdemeanor groping incident. The filing follows a report from Attorney General Letitia James, who has since announced her own run for the governorship. Media coverage of Cuomo's resignation was noted for its lack of the "resignation in disgrace" label typically applied to Republican officials in similar scandals.