Martinis We Almost Missed: The Voter ID Mandate, Florida vs. New York, Tim Walz & China

Join Jim and Greg as they head into Independence Day by looking at stories they would have chosen for martinis in recent weeks if huge news events had not intervened. Today on 3 Martini Lunch, they discuss good news in an unlikely place in the quest for building trust in elections. They also react to the very different track records for Florida and New York over the past 25 years, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's disturbing affection for China.First, they look at polling showing a strong majority of people in California supporting laws requiring people to prove their citizenship before they can vote. But they also scratch their heads as Nevada's Republican governor vetoes a Voter ID bill because of other provisions in the bill he doesn't like.Next, they look at data showing the stark difference in how much New York and Florida are spending per capita on programs like education and Medicaid. Despite spending almost three times more than Florida per pupil, New York students fared far worse in reading and math. They also consider how the populations of the two states are trending in very different directions.Finally, they dig into why Gov. Walz would suggest China has surpassed the U.S. and other nations as having the most moral authority to broker calm in the Middle East. Walz said this just after Israel's airstrikes began three weeks ago. What does Walz fail to understand about the Middle East and why is he so fond of Communist China?Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policy course FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Join Jim and Greg's substitute, Craig Collins as they prepare for the Independence Day holiday with this all-California edition of 3 Martini Lunch. Today, they are pleased to see a recent poll suggesting that Kamala Harris is not an intimidating Democratic nominee in the 2026 governor’s race, they are amused by LA Mayor, Karen Bass's refusal to meet with ICE agents while telling them to go home, and they are wishing to reenact action films with California's recent firework factory explosion. First, they speculate about a recent poll which asked people if they would vote for Kamala Harris if they had a choice between her and a generic Republican candidate. Shockingly for Kamala and for California, Jim notes 41-percent would vote for her while 39-percent would vote Republican with the other 20-percent being undecided or not voting. Jim and Craig are unsure if Kamala will even choose to run, though. Next, Jim and Craig wonder where Bass wants ICE to go when she refuses to meet with them and tells them to go home. Aren't they already home? Recent Democratic commentary about ICE is laced with insurrectionist language, but Jim calls Bass's bluff arguing she is "talking big" but will not cross ICE when it comes down to it. Last, they are ecstatic about the recent explosion of a fireworks factory -- in YOLO, California of all places. Because nobody was hurt, they joke that every building demolition ought to involve fireworks. Jim and Craig find it reminiscent to a scene from The Naked Gun, and both wish they could have been there to witness it. Visit our spectacular sponsors: No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months athttps://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policycourse FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Craig Collins is in for Greg again today for the 3 Martini Lunch. Join Jim and Craig as they laugh over Democrat's looking to model future campaigns after Zohran Mamdani's, voice concerned over the lack of fiscal considerations regarding the Big Beautiful Bill and reveal the truth about seemingly ominous program cuts at Indiana Universities. First, Jim and Craig are entertained by Rep. Chris Murphy's enthusiastic interest in running future Democratic campaigns in similar fashion to that of Zohran Mamdani. Jim wonders if Democrats could really be silly enough to over-interpret Mamdani getting a plurality in a relatively low-turnout Democratic NYC mayoral primary and think this is the way to win elections again.Next, they are wary of the results passing the Big Beautiful Bill may have. It seems only to get less budget friendly as it moves through the Senate. Jim and Craig are concerned that fiscal conservatives, in hope of seeing their party's bill passed, are not being honest about the financial danger is poses. Finally, they are amused misleading numbers in an Indiana Public Media article which would lead readers to believe Republican policy is responsible for the 20% cut in degrees. Jim explains that it sounds ominous -- until you see how many students are affected.Please visit our great sponsors: It’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policycourse FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniNo missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months athttps://Openphone.com/3ml

Jim is back though Greg is gone for today's 3 Martini Lunch. In his stead is radio personality Craig Collins. Join Craig and Jim as Independence Day week kicks off with a good, a bad, and a crazy bit of news. The week begins with Canada rescinding their digital service tax in response to Mr. Trump's Truth Social post, North Caroline Senator Thom Tillis and Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon will not be seeking reelection, and a Gallup poll finds that pride in America is significantly down from last year. First, Craig and Jim are pleased that just two days after Trump declared on Truth Social that he was suspending trade talks with Canada over their digital services tax, Canada announces they're rescinding the tax. Jim argues this tax to be particularly unfair and discriminatory toward U.S. businesses. Craig notes how Trump has been following through on his threats, and Canada seems unwilling to test him on this. Next, they mourn the bad news that North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis AND Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon will not be seeking reelection. Because the Republican Party won by narrow margins in those states, Jim worries this may swing states blue making it a good week for the DSCC and DCCC.Last, they are aghast at the recent Gallup poll which shows pride in America to be down significantly from last year particularly among Democrats. Jim is amused that Democrats felt more pride in the country when President Biden was in office. Ultimately, Jim and Craig argue that pride in one's country should not be contingent upon who is in office. Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months athttps://Openphone.com/3mlIt’s free, online, and easy to start with no strings attached. Enroll in the American Foreign Policycourse FREE with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/Martini

Ricochet Co-Founder Rob Long is in for Jim today. Join Rob and Greg for another round of the 3 Martini Lunch as they break down two major Supreme Court decisions, get Rob's thoughts as a longtime New York resident on the rise of Zohran Mamdani, and the one-year anniversary of the disastrous debate that ended Joe Biden's political career.First, they cheer a Supreme Court decision empowering parents to opt their children out of classroom instruction that promotes the LGBT agenda. The ruling affirms parental rights in education and sheds more light on activist agendas in public schools. Rob also offers a deal to teachers intent on pushing a progressive cultural agenda, but Greg isn't buying it. They also approve of the Supreme Court largely restraining federal district court judges from issuing orders that impact the entire nation.Next, Rob weighs in on New York City Democrats choosing Zohran Mamdani for mayor. As a longtime resident of the city, Rob says it's nothing new for voters there to choose "a crackpot, left-wing incompetent," but he is surprised they picked one so obvious. Rob explains how even parts of the Mamdani agenda would ruin the city and what his highest hopes for the next four years would be.Finally, they reflect upon the one-year anniversary of President Biden imploding any chances of re-election with his awful debate performance. Rob and Greg remember the most telling moments of the debate, the tumultuous aftermath, and how the White House and its media allies tried to cover up what more than two-thirds of Americans already knew. They also discuss the details of the Biden cover-up that we still need to know.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in American Foreign Policy  with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniFatty15 is on a mission to help you live healthier, longer.  Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://Fatty15.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout.

Hillsdale College Radio General Manager and Radio Free Hillsdale Hour host Scot Bertram fills in for Jim on Thursday’s 3 Martini Lunch. Join Scot and Greg as they assess the Supreme Court's ruling on Planned Parenthood and your tax dollars, a radical government overhaul proposal from a Democratic congressman, and whether the Democrats will mimic Mamdani in the 2026 midterms and beyond.First, they discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision allowing South Carolina to exclude Planned Parenthood from where it spends Medicaid dollars. Scot and Greg react to the decision, explain why it makes sense, and note the incredibly biased way these politically-charged rulings are covered in the media. Next, they shake their heads as Illinois Rep. Sean Casten proposes adding 12 at-large U.S. Senate seat decided in a national popular vote, which would also add 12 votes to the Electoral College. He also wants to increase the U.S. House of Representatives by 250 seats, and "rebalance" the Supreme Court by creating a "13-judge multi-circuit panel" that would decide any cases where the U.S. government or a federal agency is a party.Finally, they spotlight the Democrats who avoided Zohran Mamdani’s extremism before the election but now rush to align with him. Scot and Greg explore whether Mamdani’s far-left agenda will become a blueprint for Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms and beyond.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in American Foreign Policy  with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniFatty15 is on a mission to help you live healthier, longer.  Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://Fatty15.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout.

Undisputed King of Stuff and Sink the Rising Sun author Jon Gabriel fills in for Jim on today's 3 Martini Lunch. Join Jon and Greg as they celebrate the political demise of Andrew Cuomo and shudder at the rise of Zohran Mamdani in New York City. They also focus on ICE taking concerning Iranian illegals into custody, and Nancy Pelosi raking in more millions through very suspicious investments.First, Jon and Greg react to far-left Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s decisive win over disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary. They cheer Cuomo’s collapse after scandals involving nursing home COVID deaths, sexual misconduct, and misuse of staff. But they are horrified that Mamdani, an avowed socialist, is now the heavy favorite to become mayor. They chronicle Mamdani's absurd campaign promises, his obvious antipathy towards Israel, and more.Next, they welcome news that ICE has detained 16 Iranian nationals illegally in the U.S. following the airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. One of those nabbed is a former member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who admits connections to Hezbollah. Another was a sniper in the Iranian army. Jon says this is good work by Homeland Security to muzzle a threat before it starts.Finally, they dig into Nancy Pelosi’s latest round of highly suspicious stock trades. The former House Speaker and her husband dumped shares in two major companies just before both were hit with federal investigations. While Pelosi isn’t alone in ethically questionable investing, Jon argues she perfectly embodies why the American people do not trust their government.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in American Foreign Policy  with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniTalk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3ML

Undisputed King of Stuff and Sink the Rising Sun author Jon Gabriel fills in for Jim on Tuesday’s 3 Martini Lunch. Join Jon and Greg as they dig into Iran’s feeble response to U.S. airstrikes, President Trump’s frustration over multiple violations of the Israel-Iran ceasefire, and the latest immigration insanity from Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost.First, Jon and Greg examine Iran’s symbolic missile launch toward a U.S. base in Qatar, an attack Tehran telegraphed in advance to avoid American or Qatari casualties. Jon says this is further proof that Iran is very weak and knows it cannot risk angering the U.S. and further.Next, they react to the rocky start to the Israel-Iran ceasefire. Iran fired more missiles after the ceasefire was supposed to start. Israel responded, despite President Trump urging restraint. They also comment on Trump's obvious frustration with both sides as he met with the press this morning.Finally, they slam Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost for accusing ICE agents of kidnapping and human trafficking. Jon and Greg contrast his inflammatory claims with former Border Patrol chief Tom Homan’s experience with the brutal reality of cartel-run trafficking. Jon also shares firsthand insights from Arizona, detailing the suffering migrants face at the hands of traffickers.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniTalk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLFatty15 is on a mission to help you live healthier, longer.  Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://Fatty15.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout.

Presidential historian and Ronald Reagan Institute Senior Fellow Tevi Troy is in for Jim today. Join Tevi and Greg as they break down the U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, the possible responses from Iran and the Trump administration's various comments about regime change, and the weird leftist condemnations of the strikes.First, they highlight the exceptional performance of the B-2 Bomber pilots, the lengthy and complex mission, and the airtight operational security, which may have been achieved by not telling any Democrats about the mission until after it happened. They also highlight how President Trump deftly pushed for a diplomatic solution, ramped up the tough talk, seemed to grant a two-week reprieve and then successfully surprises everyone with the timing of the strikes.Next, they contemplate what will come next - both from Iran and the United States. Will Iran close the Straits of Hormuz, focus on U.S. military bases in the region like today in Qatar, unleash sleeper cells in the U.S., or prioritize cyberterrorism? They also weigh in on Vice President Vance saying the U.S. does not have a goal of regime change in Iran while Trump openly suggests it on social media.Finally, they react to some of the most unhinged reactions to the bombings in Iran. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thinks Trump's actions are impeachable. Obama administration figure Tommy Vietor says any deadly response from Iran will be because we started it. And even the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office condemned the bombings.Please visit our great sponsors:It’s free, online, and easy to start—no strings attached. Enroll in Understanding Capitalism with Hillsdale College. Visit https://Hillsdale.edu/MartiniTalk it out with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLFatty15 is on a mission to help you live healthier, longer.  Get an additional 15% off their 90-daysubscription Starter Kit by going to https://Fatty15.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout.

Join Jim and Greg for the Friday 3 Martini Lunch as they dig into reports of immense frustration and fingerpointing among Democrats more than seven months after the election, whether there's any likelihood of a meaningful nuclear deal with Iran over the next two weeks, and the very disturbing impact artificial intelligence is already having on our brains and relationships.First, they pop the popcorn as Democrats are openly venting about Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin's weak leadership and how the party still resembles a circular firing squad long after President Trump's win in November. Polling also shows intense disapproval among Democrats for party leaders overall. Next, as President Trump gives Iran two weeks to make a concrete deal to give up its nuclear program, Jim examines whether there's any real expectation that Iran would ever agree to something the U.S. would find acceptable. They also discuss Iran's use of more sophisticated missiles in attacking Israel and how the Iron Dome is having a tougher time taking them out.Finally, they shudder at the negative impact artificial intelligence is having on our lives. An MIT study of ChatGPT on 54 student brains over four months shows a significant drop in neural connectivity or brain processing power. They also highlight how people are developing intense personal "relationships" with their AI at the cost of developing bonds with actual human beings.Please visit our great sponsors:No missed calls, no missed customers with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at https://Openphone.com/3mlUpgrade your skincare routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference.  Visit https://CalderaLab.com/3ML and use code 3ML at checkout for 20% off your first order.