Kristol Clear Insanity

Join Jim and Greg for the Friday 3 Martini Lunch as they wrap up the week with some nuclear-grade political stories, including Trump’s push to restart nuclear testing, his call for Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, and a sharp debate over conservative criticism of Tucker Carlson.First, they dig into President Trump’s call to resume U.S. nuclear testing, which hasn’t occurred since 1992 and is banned under international agreements. But Jim says there is reason to believe other nations are already doing it and threatening to do it ourselves might get them to change course.Next, they react to Trump's call for an end to the Senate filibuster in order to reopen the government and move his agenda forward. Even if the GOP had the votes to do this, would it be a wise move or simply set the stage for a lot of horrible things to become law whenever Democrats control Congress and the White House again?Finally, Jim sounds off on Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts publicly demanding an end to criticism from the right for Tucker Carlson's friendly platforming of odious figures like Nick Fuentes others. Roberts says the criticism amounts to "the slander of bad actors who serve someone else's agenda."Please visit our great sponsors:Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money at https://RocketMoney.com/MARTINI Build your fall sanctuary of comfort with Boll and Branch. Save 20% plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://BollAndBranch.com/THREEMARTINI —offer ends soon, exclusions apply.

Join Jim and Greg for the Thursday 3 Martini Lunch as they assess the GOP's improving poll numbers during the shutdown, distinctly different poll numbers in Virginia, and Bill Kristol disgracing himself to the point of endorsing Zohran Mamdani.First, they're pleasantly surprised to see poll numbers showing Americans think better of Republicans and the GOP in Congress right now than they did before the shutdown. Independents are more bullish on Republicans too. With a simple message and many more ways for voters to get their news, the old strategies aren't working for Democrats anymore.Next, they dig into poll numbers showing a 10-point lead for Democrat Abigail Spanberger over Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears in the Virginia governor's race. Meanwhile, GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares leads by eight points. Are there really that many ticket splitters in Virginia? They also wonder why Sears has not spoken much about what she and Gov. Glenn Youngkin accomplished over the past four years, when Youngkin remains a popular governor.Finally, they shake their heads as former Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol completes his transformation from supposed conservative to leftist lapdog as he endorses Mamdani for mayor. Jim and Greg explain how some conservatives who dislike Trump kept their conservative policy positions while others, like Kristol, abandoned everything they ever claimed to believe in hopes of being embraced by the left.Please visit our great sponsors:Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money at https://RocketMoney.com/MARTINI Build your fall sanctuary of comfort with Boll and Branch. Save 20% plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://BollAndBranch.com/THREEMARTINI —offer ends soon, exclusions apply.

Join Jim and Greg for the Wednesday 3 Martini Lunch as they dig into the Democrats’ hilariously bad messaging on the government shutdown, China’s chilling fusion of AI and genetic engineering, and Jon Stewart’s absurd comparison of Zohran Mamdani to Jackie Robinson.First, they marvel at how Democrats proudly admit to causing real pain for Americans in an attempt to gain political leverage in the shutdown fight. It's a cold, heartless message but Democrats are more than welcome to keep using it.Next, Jim shares insights from Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute, who joined Jim on the recent trip to India. Drexel reports that China is combining artificial intelligence with genetic engineering in pursuit of future generations with no flaws and who will be superior soldiers. Jim also explains how the ethical nightmare surrounding this plan won't even matter to Xi Xinping and the Chinese Communist Party.Finally, they roll their eyes as Jon Stewart of The Daily Show fawns over Democrat New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani and compares him to legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson. Jim and Greg document how the Democrats have shifted from running away from Mamdani to a full embrace once they sensed he could win.Please visit our great sponsors:Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money at https://RocketMoney.com/MARTINI Build your fall sanctuary of comfort with Boll and Branch. Save 20% plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://BollAndBranch.com/THREEMARTINI —offer ends soon, exclusions apply.

Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they discuss left-leaning unions now demanding Democrats support the GOP bill to fund the government, Republicans essentially surrendering the fight against Gavin Newsom's California gerrymandering referendum, and Graham Platner's campaign manager jumping ship after just three days on the job.First, they highlight the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union publicly demanding an end to the government shutdown and urging Democrats to back the clean extension of government funding pushed by Republicans. Four different pilots' unions are making the same demand. Will this convince four more Senate Dems to switch sides?Next, they wince as the groups spending the most money to defeat California Gov. Gavin Newsom's ballot initiative to gerrymander the state's congressional map are now spending very little and essentially surrendering the fight.Finally, they get a kick out of Maine Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign manager stepping down after three days on the job. Kevin Brown says it's because he and his wife just found out they are expecting a baby and Platner deserves a campaign manager with undivided attention. But that timing seems awfully convenient given Platner's Nazi tattoo scandal.Please visit our great sponsors:Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money at https://RocketMoney.com/MARTINI Build your fall sanctuary of comfort with Boll and Branch. Save 20% plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://BollAndBranch.com/THREEMARTINI —offer ends soon, exclusions apply.

Greg is back! Join Jim and Greg for the Monday 3 Martini Lunch as they break down Argentina’s strong midterm results for President Javier Milei, Zohran Mamdani’s disturbing comments on 9/11, and Gavin Newsom pretending to be mulling over a 2028 presidential bid.First, they cheer the impressive election results in Argentina, which give President Milei a stronger hand in the legislature and more time for his free-market reforms to show results. Jim also points out why this is a win for the U.S., especially Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent.Next, they shudder as New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani says suggests Muslims in the city have been treated poorly, including his aunt who allegedly stopped riding the the subway after 9/11 because she didn't feel safe wearing her hijab. Multiple reports cast serious doubt on the veracity of his story but Jim says Mamdani's comments seek to shift the narrative on who the real perpetrators and real victims were on 9/11. Will New York voters care?Finally, they chuckle as California Gov. Gavin Newsom claims he’ll “think about” running for president in 2028 after the 2026 midterms. His every move suggests he decided to run a long time ago, but Jim says he has one big problem.Please visit our great sponsors:Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money at https://RocketMoney.com/MARTINI Build your fall sanctuary of comfort with Boll and Branch. Save 20% plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://BollAndBranch.com/THREEMARTINI —offer ends soon, exclusions apply.

Craig Collins remains in for Greg Corombos, and he and Jim wrap up the week by looking at the lighter side of the likely national repercussions if, as expected, Zohran Mamdani is elected as mayor of New York City, examine an unjustifiable pardon from President Trump, and close out by questioning the choices of an allegedly “woke” update to the musical Damn Yankees. First, Craig and Jim start off with the inverse of yesterday’s bad Martini, looking at polling numbers that indicate Mamdani is exceptionally unpopular outside of New York City, even among independents and Democrats. “The results are grim for Mamdani. Among self-identified Democrats and Independents alike and among voters at large, his numbers are actually considerably worse than those of Newsom, Ocasio-Cortez, and Harris.” And let’s face it, it’s not easy to be less popular than Kamala Harris these days. Next, President Trump has made an unpardonable pardon of Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of the crypto exchange Binance,. There aren’t a lot of large financial institutions that are willing to do work with al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, ransomware hackers, and kiddie-porn enthusiasts, all simultaneously; these are the kinds of guys who usually end up portrayed as the villains in Jason Statham movies. Finally, in more discussion of musical theater than you ever expected on this podcast, Craig and Jim examine a new revival of the musical Damn Yankees that adds a new racial component to the story, making the main character, Joe Boyd, take the deal because of memories of his father, “a minor league baseball player who was kept out of the major leagues because he was black.” Jim notes this undermines the musical’s original theme that our family and loved ones are more important than the temptations fame and fortune, while Craig observes that the devilish seductive harlot being played by a white actress now adds an uncomfortable implication to Boyd’s temptation. Please visit our great sponsors:Get 20% off your first purchase of classic menswear. Visit https://MizzenAndMain.com with promo code 3ML20—shop online or visit a Mizzen and Main store in select states.Open a new qualified IRA or cash account with Noble Gold and get a free 10-ounce Silver Flag Bar plus a Silver American Eagle Proof Coin—visit https://NobleGoldInvestments.com/3MLSupport your health with Dose Daily.  Save 25% on your first month when you subscribe at https://DoseDaily.co/3ML or enter code 3ML at checkout.

Craig Collins remains in for Greg Corombos, and he notices a big mafia story arrives, just in time to honor his Italian heritage. Craig and Jim applaud some new Trump administration decisions on Ukraine, lament the fact that Zohran Mamdani looks like a shoo in to be the next mayor of New York City, and marvel at a big sports gambling scandal that led to the arrest of an NBA player and coach. First, Craig and Jim note that while it’s been a long time coming, the Trump administration is hitting Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil with new sanctions, cutting off the Russian firms from American banking systems and financial institutions, essentially barring them from operating in U.S. dollars. Trump is finally getting wise to the fact that all of his seemingly good conversations with Vladimir Putin never seem to results in Putin’s policies. Next, President Trump doesn’t see any way that anyone can beat Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayor’s race, and there’s not a lot of evidence to counter the president’s conclusion. In a year where a lot has gone right for the GOP, a major frustration is that no argument about Mamdani’s extremism on everything from economics to policing to geopolitics has seemed to get traction. Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers face a tough lineup of opponents this year – the Warriors, the Lakers, and the FBI. The Bureau announced that it had arrested Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier as  part of a pair of wide-ranging investigations related to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia. Jim and Craig acknowledge that while sports gambling is wildly popular, particularly among young men, the temptations and dangers of widespread legal sports gambling were predictable.Get 20% off your first purchase of classic menswear. Visit https://MizzenAndMain.com with promo code 3ML20—shop online or visit a Mizzen and Main store in select states.Open a new qualified IRA or cash account with Noble Gold and get a free 10-ounce Silver Flag Bar plus a Silver American Eagle Proof Coin—visit https://NobleGoldInvestments.com/3MLKeep celebrating World Mental Health Day by starting your journey with BetterHelp—get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLSupport your health with Dose Daily.  Save 25% on your first month when you subscribe at https://DoseDaily.co/3ML or enter code 3ML at checkout.

(00:00:00) Intro (00:01:52) GOOD: There are much bigger factors in the outcome of a midterm election cycle beyond fundraising, but... this is a pret (00:06:42) BAD: No, the president of the United States cannot order the U.S. Department of Justice to compensate him $230 million (00:11:04) CRAZY/HILARIOUS: Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner says he accidentally got a Nazi tattoo Craig Collins fills in for Greg Corombos today. Here are your martinis of the day!GOOD: There are much bigger factors in the outcome of a midterm election cycle beyond fundraising, but... this is a pretty big advantage for the GOP.The Republican National Committee heads into the year before the midterm election with a significantly bigger bank balance than the Democratic National Committee, a reflection of the GOP’s dominance in Washington and the minority party’s ongoing struggles.The gap is a warning sign for Democrats as some of their donors remain skeptical of the party’s direction and of whether there is a viable plan to win again.At one point earlier this year, the DNC reached out to big donors to host a San Francisco-area fundraiser headlined by former Vice President Kamala Harris. Most of the donors rejected the request, according to several people familiar with the conversations.Upon receiving the invitation, one replied with a profanity-laced rejection. Others said they didn’t want to give to the party until it produced substantive plans to win elections. Those who declined told the national party they had commitments and couldn’t make it work.The DNC ultimately found a donor who hosted the event, but it raised less than organizers had hoped.The latest fundraising totals released this week show the Democrats’ weakness. The RNC had receipts of $10.7 million in the most recent month and $86 million in cash reserves as it started October, compared with $10.3 million and about $12 million for the DNC, respectively.BAD: No, the president of the United States cannot order the U.S. Department of Justice to compensate him $230 million for past court cases that were dismissed.CRAZY/HILARIOUS: Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner says he accidentally got a Nazi tattoo. Uh-huh.Get 20% off your first purchase of classic menswear. Visit https://MizzenAndMain.com with promo code 3ML20—shop online or visit a Mizzen and Main store in select states.Open a new qualified IRA or cash account with Noble Gold and get a free 10-ounce Silver Flag Bar plus a Silver American Eagle Proof Coin—visit https://NobleGoldInvestments.com/3MLKeep celebrating World Mental Health Day by starting your journey with BetterHelp—get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLSupport your health with Dose Daily.  Save 25% on your first month when you subscribe at https://DoseDaily.co/3ML or enter code 3ML at checkout. 

Join Jim and Greg for the Tuesday 3 Martini Lunch as they consider the stunning silence as Hamas slaughters Gazans in the streets, Andrew Cuomo trying to woo Republican voters and shift the blame if he loses, and Karine Jean-Pierre still gaslighting us on Joe Biden's ability to be president.First, they shake their heads at the global indifference as Hamas terrorists murder Palestinians in Gaza’s streets, with President Trump being one of the few world leaders to call it out. Jim explains why the world erupts when Israel fights Hamas but stays silent when Hamas slaughters its own people.Next, they roll their eyes at Andrew Cuomo’s attempt to reinvent himself as a “moderate” in the New York City mayoral race. Cuomo is already setting up excuses to blame GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa if far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani wins. Jim isn’t buying it and details why Cuomo’s outreach to Republicans rings hollow.Finally, they get a kick out of former Biden White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announcing she left the Democratic Party because of how badly it treated Joe Biden following his disastrous debate performance last year. She also still insists Biden was definitely physically and mentally capable of being president for another four years.Please visit our great sponsors:Get 20% off your first purchase of classic menswear. Visit https://MizzenAndMain.com with promo code 3ML20—shop online or visit a Mizzen and Main store in select states.Keep celebrating World Mental Health Day by starting your journey with BetterHelp—get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLSupport your health with Dose Daily.  Save 25% on your first month when you subscribe at https://DoseDaily.co/3ML or enter code 3ML at checkout. 

Join Jim and Greg for the Monday 3 Martini Lunch as they as they have plenty to say about the shocking break-in and horrible security at the Louvre, the U.S. Army’s major push into nuclear power, President Trump commuting the sentence of George Santos, and another California controversy that’s literally explosive.First, after briefly noting the break-in and alarming security lapse at the Louvre, Jim and Greg turn to the U.S. Army’s ambitious plan to install nine small nuclear reactors across key military bases. They applaud the move as a major step toward energy independence and boost warfighting capabilities.Next, they rip President Trump's commutation of convicted serial fraudster and expelled former New York Rep. George Santos after he served almost three months of a seven-year sentence. While still a convicted felon, Santos will no longer need to pay restitution to his victims. Unsurprisingly, Santos says he wants to focus on the future and not the past. Jim says this smells like Trump simply rewarding a political ally. Finally, they tackle the California uproar over closing Interstate 5 during the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the shutdown due to live ordnance, but the Marines insisted it wasn’t necessary. California Highway Patrol officers report a small piece of shrapnel damaged one of their vehicles when an explosive went off prematurely. They also rip Newsom for his self-incriminating tweet about the No Kings protests.Please visit our great sponsors:Get 20% off your first purchase of classic menswear. Visit https://MizzenAndMain.com with promo code 3ML20—shop online or visit a Mizzen and Main store in select states.Keep celebrating World Mental Health Day by starting your journey with BetterHelp—get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLSupport your health with Dose Daily.  Save 25% on your first month when you subscribe at https://DoseDaily.co/3ML or enter code 3ML at checkout.