Topic: President Elect

Vice President Kamala Harris hinted at a potential 2028 presidential run during a conversation with Reverend Al Sharpton. Harris emphasized her experience in the Situation Room and the Oval Office as preparation for the role. The hosts analyze her delivery and public persona, questioning her political viability in future election cycles.

In the 1800 election, Vice President Thomas Jefferson faced a similar situation regarding contested electors from Georgia. Despite the certificates not conforming to constitutional requirements, Jefferson unilaterally declared them valid to ensure he would not face a five-person runoff in the House. This historical example is used to argue that the Vice President has the constitutional authority to determine which electoral slates are counted.

A review of media clips from 2016 features Keith Olbermann and Joy Behar calling Donald Trump an "illegitimate president" and a "puppet" of Vladimir Putin. The discussion contrasts the 2016 Democratic rhetoric regarding a stolen election with the current legal actions against Trump for similar claims regarding the 2020 election.

Stephanie Ruhle's interview with President Biden is analyzed, specifically her questioning regarding Kamala Harris's role in the 2024 campaign. Biden defends Harris's record as Attorney General and Senator. Meanwhile, Harris led a meeting with tech executives to discuss the risks AI poses to civil rights and democracy, which the hosts interpret as a move toward regulatory capture for established tech firms.

Joe Biden and others have repeatedly referred to Kamala Harris as "President-elect," leading to speculation about the future of the administration. Meanwhile, Dr. Fauci, who just turned 80, continues to warn of a "surge upon a surge" following the holidays.

Kamala Harris has not yet resigned her Senate seat despite being the Vice President-elect. Speculation suggests she may be waiting for the results of the Georgia runoff elections to determine if she will need to serve as a tie-breaker in the Senate.

The hosts discuss the possibility of Donald Trump running for president again in 2024 if he is ousted in 2020. They cite Grover Cleveland as the historical precedent for a president serving non-consecutive terms and speculate on the political chaos that would follow a Biden inauguration.

Hillary Clinton dismissed claims that the primary process is rigged while defending the "electability" of establishment candidates. The hosts speculate on the possibility of Clinton being selected as Joe Biden's running mate, suggesting a scenario where she could ascend to the presidency. They also consider New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as a potential VP pick to appeal to the "Latinx" demographic.

Rumors circulated that Michael Bloomberg is considering Hillary Clinton as a potential vice-presidential running mate. While viewed by some as a trial balloon to gauge public interest, critics argue that a ticket featuring two New Yorkers would be politically unbalanced and potentially face constitutional hurdles.

The hosts debate the possibility of Hillary Clinton entering the 2020 race as Joe Biden's vice-presidential pick. They suggest "Occam's Razor" points to a scenario where Clinton becomes VP with the expectation of eventually taking over the presidency. The timing of her documentary release in March is seen as a calculated effort to dominate the media cycle during the primary season.

Stacey Abrams' appearance in *Vogue* magazine is interpreted as a strategic positioning for a 2020 vice-presidential run, potentially alongside Joe Biden. The high-fashion profile is seen as an "elite" push to elevate her national standing. Speculation suggests that a Biden-Abrams ticket would be designed with the expectation that Abrams would eventually take over the presidency.

Predictions for the 2020 Democratic nomination suggest a potential ticket featuring Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Despite Harris's recent debate performance, some analysts believe Biden remains the front-runner, while others view him as a "washed-up" candidate.

Trump delivers a harsh critique of China's trade practices at the UN, citing product dumping and intellectual property theft. He notes the loss of 60,000 factories since China joined the WTO and defends new tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods. Later, he alleges that China is attempting to meddle in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections by targeting farmers in Iowa.

In a recorded clip, Hillary Clinton addresses rumors about running for Vice President, stating she is flattered but intends to step down to see "how tired" she is after 20 years in politics. She praises Vice President Joe Biden's work and emphasizes her commitment to the State Department until a transition occurs. The hosts characterize her departure as a sign of political exhaustion.

A scenario is discussed where Congress chooses the president if the Electoral College is deadlocked, potentially leading to a Joe Biden presidency. Biden is criticized for his rhetoric regarding "taking Trump behind the gym," which the hosts compare to the physical aggression Trump has been accused of.

The consultancy group proposes an "October Surprise" involving a strike on Iran to ensure President Obama's re-election. Dvorak notes the historical fractal that a sitting U.S. president has never been ousted during a time of war. They suggest a fake assassination or a ratings agency scam in September could set the stage for a military conflict just before the November election.

New campaign merchandise for the Obama 2012 re-election effort, including car magnets and dog collars, notably excludes Vice President Joe Biden's name. In 2008, branding typically featured "Obama/Biden," but the current "Fired Up Ready to Grill" and "Barack's Best Friend" items focus solely on the President. This shift has led to speculation that Biden may be dropped from the ticket for the upcoming election.

Despite public denials, the hosts predict Hillary Clinton may seek to replace Joe Biden as Vice President for Barack Obama's second term. They suggest this would position her to run for the presidency in the future while avoiding the immediate scrutiny of a primary challenge.

Barack Obama introduced a podium sign labeled "Office of the President-elect," a designation that does not officially exist in the U.S. government structure. This move is characterized as a sophisticated branding exercise to project presidential authority before the inauguration. The imagery has appeared prominently on the front pages of international publications like the Financial Times.