New Year's Terrorism, The Shaky Federal Response, House Speaker Drama?

On Sunday, former President Jimmy Carter died at age 100. He lived longer than any president and had the longest post-presidential life by far. Carter was a one-term president from 1977-1981. After surprising many by winning the Democratic nomination in 1976, he defeated President Gerald Ford in the general election. However, Carter suffered a resounding defeat in his bid for re-election. In 1980, he lost 44 states to Ronald Reagan, and Reagan won the Electoral College 489-49.As events soon begin to commemorate Carter's life and public service, Jim and Greg offer what they see as a fair but honest assessment of Carter, particularly during his time in the Oval Office.First, they highlight Carter's military service and his impressive victory as a dark horse candidate in 1976. They also discuss what they see as Carter’s successes in the White House—both foreign and domestic—along with some notable achievements through the Carter Center after leaving office. They also applaud his example as a husband during his 77-year marriage to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. However, the Carter presidency overall was not a success. Jim and Greg walk through Carter's failure to ward off the rise of a radical Islamist government in Iran, which then took dozens of Americans hostage for the next 14 and a half months and has fomented mayhem in the Middle East and beyond ever since. They also assess his weak approach to the communist threat in Central America and Afghanistan. Domestically, he oversaw a very rough economy, and Americans of a certain age will certainly remember gas lines and the energy crisis among other serious challenges.Finally, they look at his 44 years after leaving the presidency, from his work building homes for the needy to remaining very active in international affairs. But while he was convinced he was right, Carter's efforts sometimes created headaches for future administrations.

2025 is off to a very difficult start, as Jim and Greg assess two terrorist attacks on New Year's Day, less-than-reassuring responses from federal officials, and possible GOP drama as the new Congress kicks off on Friday.First, Jim and Greg document the horrific terrorist attack that occurred early Wednesday morning in New Orleans, where a driver deliberately plowed a rented truck through crowds on Bourbon Street and then opening fire on police officers and bystanders. The attacker was also found to have improvised explosive devices in his vehicle. Jim and Greg also examine the details of the Las Vegas car bombing and what we can glean from that.Next, they express concern over the FBI’s initial, contradictory statements regarding whether the New Orleans attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism. They were also underwhelmed by how President Biden looked and sounded on Wednesday.Finally, they look ahead to the start of the new Congress on Friday, focusing on the ongoing drama within the House GOP. They examine whether Republicans will unite behind Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House or whether internal divisions will create another intraparty struggle before the House can get to work. While acknowledging frustration over the previous government funding bill, Jim and Greg explain why there isn't another viable option for Republicans in the Speaker race.

Happy New Year! Join Jim and Greg as they kick off 2025 with predictions for the year to come. In this special edition, they will start with safe predictions and get increasingly bold as the conversation continues.Jim's first prediction centers on an issue that is vital for America's economy and our national security. Meanwhile, Greg suspects a problem that has plagued Washington for decades - and desperately needs to change - won't actually change at all.Next, they get a bit bolder. Jim focuses on an international hot spot that he suspects will get much hotter in 2025. Greg keeps his eye on domestic politics and predicts a major shakeup early in the year.Finally, they issue their most aggressive predictions. Jim has a particularly dark outlook that would be the story of the year while Greg makes a very positive but unlikely projection about what we'll see on the world stage.

Jim and Greg close out 2024 with the finale of this year's 3 Martini Lunch Awards. Today, they give out their prestigious choices for Person of the Year, Loser of the Year, and Turncoat of the Year. On Person of the Year, they both choose Donald Trump. Jim says the choice is so obvious that he spends his time focusing on the astounding year that his runner-up (and a close Trump ally) had in 2024. Meanwhile, Greg chronicles the staggering comeback Trump has achieved over the past year and really the past four years.For Loser of the Year, Jim chooses the man whose stock plummeted the most in the past 12 months and he says there is a runaway winner. Meanwhile, Greg picks a group of people whose awkward efforts to engineer the outcome of the 2024 campaign imploded in spectacular fashion.For Turncoat of the Year, Jim chooses a figure who used to align with the left and not only flipped to supporting the Trump-Vance ticket but embodies a demographic that supported Trump in huge numbers this year. Greg offers a whole list of conservatives who actually endorsed and even campaigned for Kamala Harris. But he has another choice that may be our favorite turncoat ever.

It's media day in our year-end 3 Martini Lunch awards and Jim and Greg have plenty to say about how things were covered - if they were covered at all. Specifically, they look at the stories the mainstream media covered far too much, the ones they conveniently ignored because they didn't fit their narrative, and they highlight what they saw as the best stories of 2024.First, they dig into the most overreported stories of the year, with Jim choosing a massive, relentless political snow job from the mainstream media. Greg agrees with Jim but also notes how the media fawned over a piece of legislation which was little more than an attempt to change the narrative about Biden's legacy. Oh, and there was one overreported story that Jim and Greg were guilty of as well. But it was also a lot of fun!Then it's on to the stories the media didn't cover much or didn't want to cover. Jim points to media apathy concerning stories about a prominent Democrat and how the media would have had huge coverage of them if it were a Republican. Greg picks a heinous act committed by one of our enemies that the media buried as quickly as possible.Finally, they reveal their selections for best stories of the year. Jim goes with a series of encouraging events over the past several weeks. Greg focuses on the media itself and how this year and how the media should have learned a big lesson. But are they paying attention?Make sure to listen on Tuesday as Greg and Jim unveil their selections for Person of the Year, Loser of the Year, and Turncoat of the Year. 

More year-end awards today! Jim and Greg embark on the fourth installment of the 3 Three Martini Lunch Awards. Today, they offer up their selections for the Best Political Idea, Worst Political Idea, and Boldest Political Tactics for the year. They start with the best ideas of the year. Jim chooses a clear message that voters sent on Election Day that was long overdue. Meanwhile, Greg's award goes to the clever tactics that successfully eliminated one of the world's most prominent terrorists..Then it's time for the worst political ideas of the year, with both Jim and Greg finding many good options. Jim focuses on a ridiculous aspect of Biden's Middle East policy. Whereas, Greg highlights one of the most stunning political miscalculations in recent memory.Finally, they're on to the boldest political tactics for 2024. Jim chooses a Trump campaign tactic and message that undoubtedly worked to perfection. And Greg salutes a group of athletes who sacrificed a lot to send a message that's now yielding results.Don't miss Monday's special edition as Jim and Greg reveal their choices for Most Overreported Story, Most Underreported Story, and the Best Story of 2024.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed our conversation with Die Hard legend Robert Davi! Jim and Greg are back today for the third round of the Three Martini Lunch Awards. Today, they discuss the Biggest Lie, Best Political Theater, and Worst Political Theater of 2024.They start with the biggest lies of the year. Jim kicks things off by citing a massive lie that has been obvious for years and finally exploded for all the world to see this year. Greg focuses on an obvious Trump campaign policy statement that the left and its media allies immediately twisted into a sinister promise of mayhem if Trump lost. It was nothing of the sort.Then it's time for the best political theater of 2024, with Jim choosing an indelible campaign moment in the midst of shock and horror. Jim explains why that moment had such a profound impact on many Americans. While Greg wholeheartedly agrees with Jim's selection, he points out one of the worst examples of the left not handling Election Night very well.Finally, they cringe remembering the worst political theater of 2024. Jim singles out a key moment from the Democratic National Convention that served as a final insult to the outgoing president. Meanwhile, Greg finds his worst political theater in in a pair of New York courtrooms..Please join us on Friday as Jim and Greg hand out their awards for Best Political Idea, Worst Political Idea, and Boldest Tactic for 2024.

Merry Christmas from all of us at 3 Martini Lunch! Today, we want to talk politics and celebrate the greatest Christmas movie of all time, which is, of course, Die Hard. So please enjoy our September conversation with actor and director Robert Davi.Jim and Greg welcome acclaimed actor, director, and singer Robert Davi to sip three martinis. Today, they discuss Davi's role in the recent biopic of Ronald Reagan, what it's like for him as a conservative in Hollywood, and his unforgettable performance as Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard.First, they discuss how Davi got involved in the Reagan movie project nine years ago and how he deeply researched his role as former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Davi also explains why he wanted to be part of the film, how Reagan fought communism in Hollywood and more.Next, Davi shares what it's like to be a conservative in Hollywood and how becoming more publicly supportive of conservatives and Republicans curiously coincided with a sudden decrease in opportunities to act and direct. He also takes us inside his recent film, My Son Hunter about Hunter Biden, the approach he took to directing it, and why many people discovered the film was far different than they expected it to be.Finally, they spotlight Davi's very memorable role in Die Hard and why the film endures more than most action movies. And you will not want to miss Davi's hilarious story about watching the film for the first time alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger - complete with his perfect impression of Arnold.

Join Jim and Greg as they offer the second installment of their highly coveted year-end awards. Today they remark on the people connected to politics that they're most sorry to see pass away in 2024. They also share their choices for rising political stars and those who appear to be fading into political oblivionThey begin with those who left us over the past year. Jim chooses a former lawmaker who came within a whisker of holding one of the biggest jobs in the country, and most importantly, was a guest here on 3 Martini Lunch. Meanwhile, Greg highlights a conservative stalwart who served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades.Then it's on to a much happier subject as they consider the rising political stars for 2024. They both choose an incoming Trump administration figure who promises to play a very important role as soon as Trump takes office. Greg also offers up an honorable mention for a cable news figure who has excelled at demolishing left-wing talking points while surrounded by Democrats.Finally, there are a multitude of figures who they see fading into oblivion after this year. Jim looks at some of the most prominent names in the news while Greg eats crow on one of his picks from last year.There will be a special 3 Martini Lunch on Christmas Day, as we bring you our September conversation with actor, director, and singer Robert Davi, best remembered by Jim and Greg as Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard.Join us on Thursday as we consider the categories of Biggest Lie, Best Political Theater, & Worst Political Theater for the past year. Merry Christmas and thank you for listening to the 3 Martini Lunch!

Today, Jim and Greg begin handing out their prestigious annual 3 Martini Lunch Awards! Starting today and running through New Year's Day, they reveal their choices in categories ranging from rising star to best and worst political ideas to the stories the media ignored and the ones they could not stop talking about. And it all builds up to next week when Jim and Greg reveal their Person of the Year and Turncoat of the Year, plus their predictions for 2025.In this first installment, they offer their individual selections for Most Overrated Political Figure, Most Underrated Political Figure, and Most Honest Political Figure. Jim picks a prominent figure in this year's presidential campaign, while Greg selects someone whose reputation for winning took one on the chin this year.When it comes to underrated political figures, they agree on their top choice, but Greg also highlights a prominent political leader who doesn't often attract a lot of headlines...and that's a good thing. However, last week's drama has Greg already regretting this choice. Finally, Jim's choice for the most honest political figure is a famous Democrat who was ignored by the party this year, while Greg picks a very different person the Democrats should have listened to but didn't - to their own peril.Don't miss Tuesday's special edition, when Jim and Greg list the political figures they were sorry to see pass away in 2024. They'll also name their rising stars over the past year and people who seem to be fading into political oblivion.