Topic: Secret Ballot

Political strategist Mike Murphy claimed that if the Senate were to hold a secret vote on the impeachment of Donald Trump, at least 30 Republican senators would vote to convict. This narrative is being pushed by figures like Jeff Flake to suggest deep-seated GOP opposition to the President. However, Senate rules and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell make the prospect of a secret ballot highly unlikely.

The hosts read donations from the "H series" of No Agenda shows. A donor from Washington State notes that voting records are posted online by name, challenging the concept of a secret ballot. The segment includes birthday wishes for several producers and mentions of donors from Romania and Australia.

A debate regarding congressional voting methods explores whether returning to secret ballots would reduce the influence of money in politics. One host argues that public voting records allow lobbyists to "buy" specific outcomes with proof, while the other contends that secret votes would lead to even greater corruption and a lack of accountability to constituents. The discussion touches on the 1970s income divergence and the rise of Super PACs.

The hosts discuss the European Parliament's decision to elect the next EU President via secret ballot. They also report on the creation of an "in-house staff" designed to monitor social media and "correct" public perceptions of the European Union, which they compare to industry lobbying groups.