2025-29 -A Blank Canvas

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

@2016, on the Virginia contest, I beg to differ, but while either Wexton and McEachin may perform better than McAuliffe did in 2021, however there's a distinct possibility that Sears could perform equally as well as DeSantis on the presidential level and Youngkin did at the Gubernatorial level, but apart from that Sears could make inroads within the African-American community, and if Democrats can assume that they will get that vote, because they happen to have a D after there name, they better up their game. As for the Harris interview on 60 minutes, remember this is CBS, and the same guy, John Dickerson is the usual host for that show and considering the rough way he treated Ted Cruz,  take a wild-guess on the nature of the questions! As for the DeSantis town-hall, I'm going to go with the highlights  on the meeting; I will post each of them in a few hour's from now. It's likely the town-hall meeting will beat the 60 minutes in the ratings.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

SUNDAY MARCH 9 2025, Hi this is John Dickerson and welcome to tonight's show.
It has been over four months since America went to the polls, to elect our 47th President, and the runner-up, the former Vice President, Kamala Harris , now sits across from me, for this exclusive interview.

Dickerson: Madam Vice President, how have you found adjusting to private life?
Harris : Hi John, good to be here, well John it has been surprisingly a lot easier than I expected, I find my schedule is a lot more flexible and also Doug and I have, had an opportunity to reconnect with our family, so I'd say it has been all good.
Dickerson: You're now involved in writing a book, could you tell us what will it be about?
Harris : Actually John, it's an autobiography.
Dickerson : Glad we could get straightened up.
Harris : (Nervous laughter), Yes indeed, well John as I said before, the book is an autobiography and deals with my time in the political arena, mostly from the time I served as District Attorney, through my time as Attorney General, Senator and finally Vice President.
Dickerson : So during your time as Vice President, how was your relationship with former President Joe Biden ?
Harris : We had a good working relationship and it was a partnership, similar to the one, which he had with Barack Obama .
Dickerson : There has been suggestions that within the West Wing, you had a fractious relationship with senior staff. Your response?
Harris : Not quite true John, we had minor disagreements, but the overall objective was to ensure that our "Build Back Better" agenda became reality.
Dickerson : Many veterans within the Biden administration, state your contribution to any policy iniative was neglible to middling at best.
Harris : Then there's two different versions, isn't there John?
Dickerson : Many say your one major achievement, was that you were the first woman of color to be elected Vice President, your comment?
Harris : That much we can agree upon, in a way I broke the glass ceiling for women!
Dickerson : Didn't Hillary Clinton , refer to "breaking the glass ceiling?".
Harris : Yes that's true John, but who actually broke it?
Dickerson : Onto to what many refer to as the Border crisis, the DeSantis administration are now making border security a pivotal cornerstone of their overall immigration policy. I would like to play a clip of the President's speech to Congress and get your response.
Clip of DeSantis speech to congress on Border Security
Dickerson : We now know that the President will be making border security the key component of his domestic agenda, Your thoughts?
Harris : I have to say this, I firmly believe, that everything on Border Security is being overblown for political purposes and it certainly hasn't deteriorated to the extent he has claimed.
Dickerson : So what is your response, when you hear that four Senator's, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Ben Lujan of New Mexico and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, intend to support the president's efforts on the Border?
Harris : They may have political reasons for taking such a position.
Dickerson : I see, so onto something else, and I refer to when President Biden , tasked you to addressing the border situation, so obviously even he felt the situation along the southern border needed to be addressed, what were your findings?
Harris : I stated at the time of visiting the border, that only minor adjustments were needed, but it certainly wasn't as bad when we left office, as it was under Trump .
Dickerson : What were the adjustments that you recommended?
Harris : Firstly we needed to end the appalling family separation policy and the "catch and release" policy was counterproductive.
Dickerson : Actually the "Catch and release" policy was revoked during the Trump administration.
Dickerson : While serving in the Senate, you are on record of attacking the Trump administration for the "family separation" policy and how children were in cages at Border security facilities, but these policies were slow to change once you became Vice President, why would this be the case?
Harris : We were coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we had to ensure that all health measures were intact.
Dickerson : What was your reaction when you heard that the president named your successor as Vice President to head up the Border Security and Immigration Reform task force?
Harris : I am sure Vice President Haley will make the recommendations which are favorable to the President.
Dickerson : So what you are telling me and the viewers out there, is that the current Vice President will make recommendations that dovetail with the President's objectives?
Harris : Well no one can be sure, can they?
Dickerson : Onto matters political, you're no doubt aware, that there will be a governor's contest in California next year, and to all intended purposes, the likely Republican nominee's for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, Young Kim and Michael Garcia , received the president's endorsement, coupled with that, a few weeks ago, a former colleague of yours in the Biden administration, Xavier Becerra has filed papers to establish an exploratory committee, so with that in mind, have you considered your own plans?
Harris : Unlike the Republican party, Democrats will decide on who their choice, through a vigorous primary process.
John Dickerson : That speaks to the Democratic party, but can you speak about what your plans will be?

(Laughter)
Harris : John, at this moment, my book is my priority and it is there where my focus will be.
Dickerson : So you can't give a definitive answer?
Harris : No, because now is not the time to decide, but trust me John, you will be the first to know! (More Laughter)
Dickerson : Thank you Madam Vice President for taking the time to talk with us.
Harris : It was my pleasure, John.
Dickerson : Thank you to our viewers and join us next week for 60 minutes.

NEXT UP: HIGHLIGHTS OF TOWN-HALL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT DESANTIS: REACTION TO BOTH HARRIS 60 MINUTE INTERVIEW AND TOWN-HALL

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

FOX NEWS/NBC/UNAVISION HOST TOWN-HALL MEETING AT PAULEY PAVILION, LOS ANGELES: PRESIDENT DESANTIS FIELDS QUESTIONS


PRESIDENT DESANTIS IN RARE FORM, FIELDS QUESTIONS!

Enrique Acevedo

Lynette Romero

Jessica Tarlov

As Enrique Acevedo of Unavision, Jessica Tarlov of Fox News and Lynette Romero of NBC, acted as anchors and fed a variety of questions on a whole range of issues, including Taiwan, the Balanced Budget amendment.
However it was border security and the actions which the DeSantis administration intended to take, dominated a majority of the questions. the most notable part of the evening, was the President's response to a question regarding the remedies that will be implemented.
"Listen we are not going to pretend that fixing the problems will be easy, we can all agree, it is one hell of a mess down there, and saying it isn't won't make things better, but one thing for sure, help is coming"
Another question came in the form, "Why do all administration's regardless of which party, say they will fix it, never get the problem fixed?"
The President's response was as follows, "Cynicism is the enemy of action, that much is clear and yes, promises have been made before and yes there has been no follow through, that much we can agree on, but that being said, solutions will be found, problems fixed and from chaos, there will be a restoration of a structure that is fair to both migrant and citizen alike".
Enrique Acevedo, raised the issue of the border wall and what was the president's position on the wall? The president paused for a moment, "The border wall, has been an extreme response to an extreme problem, such a structure may be needed in a situation where we will need to complement our border security, but an open border is no solution and certainly doesn't make any kind of sense. However any Border wall, is a last resort!"
The President was quizzed on what type of immigration reform did he envisage, his response added clarity to the matter, "We have to fix our Southern border first and ensure Border Security is not just a punch-line, but a fact of life. So whatever recommendations are made, they will be implemented, therefore on immigration reform issue, that will require an overhaul of existing system"
In closing the President spoke about "How all of us, have something in common, we are all children, grandchildren and descendants of emigrants, but there others who are being exploited by human traffickers and the drug cartels, who's dream, has become a nightmare, that has to stop and it will stop!"

The town-hall served it purpose and now everyone had a clearer idea on the president's border security and immigration reform agenda.
It remained to be seen which event won the ratings battle, the Town-Hall meeting or Kamala Harris's 60 Minutes Interview.

NEXT UP: RESPONSE TO THE HARRIS 60 MINUTES INTERVIEW, AS WELL AS THE DESANTIS TOWN-HALL MEETING

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

@2016, I think it might be the 2024 exits that Matthew Dowd was referring to, but I can see where a trend here, maybe Harris has the same exits, and perhaps she won't commit one way or another, until she detects a vulnerability in Kim's armor, if anything Harris is an opportunist. She also may not be paying attention to the California picture, as she did mention her book and might wait a few months to decide! But she's likely punting, because she's gun-shy about the possibility of another shellacking, the political environment might not be too healthy for her, and she's probably looking at a 2028 rematch or just wait until 2032, when DeSantis will be term-limited and at the end of his presidency. Harris , perhaps could be looking at a political comeback like another Ex-Vice President from California did in 1968, namely a one Richard Nixon . So many possibilities on where to go here. Open to ideas too.

MONDAY MARCH 10 2025: DESANTIS WINS HIGH MARKS FOR HIS TOWN-HALL MEETING.  OVERNIGHT POLLING SUGGESTS HE IS GETTING MORE SUPPORT ON HIS BORDER SECURITY AGENDA. ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER HAS THROWN HIS SUPPORT TO THE PRESIDENT'S BORDER SECURITY INITIATIVE. AS FOR THE HARRIS 60 MINUTES INTERVIEW,  SHE CAME ACROSS AS DEFENSIVE AND HER POSTURING ON THE BORDER ISSUE WILL LIKELY RAISE QUESTIONS ON HER POLITICAL VIABILITY: Many observer's agree that President  DeSantis hit all the right notes at the town-hall meeting last night! Basically he hit it out of the ball-park, so said ABC'S This Week Co-host, Chris Christie , even MSNBC'S Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough had high praise for the President, "He DeSantis looks like he has a plan and sending his Vice President to the border, shows us he is serious, we can no longer deny that it isn't a mess down there". Senate Minority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is seeing the cost of his posturing, when Senator  Michael Bennet (D-CO) , who stated that he visited the southern border over the weekend and came back with his verdict, "I have seen enough! I will support all and any measures that President DeSantis deems are necessary to be put in place to fix this problem". When asked for a response, Schumer snapped "No comment". As for the 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris , It was widely panned and considered to be a PR disaster for Harris .  She came across as defensive on her record as Vice President and snarky, when it came to her plans for next year's Governor's contest in California. Then you had that infamous cackle, people remember why they don't like her" remarked CNN'S Chris Wallace.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

MONDAY MARCH 10 2025: The remarks delivered by Senator Michael Hickenlooper of Colorado, at a press conference with other lawmakers, who last week visited  the Southern Border with Vice President Nikki Haley with Attorney General Lagoa and Secretary  Gimenez were telling Hickenlooper stated that "..seeing what we saw, was definitely an eye opener...this goes beyond politics and point scoring! I have to commend the Vice President over how she conducted the inspection process, and how she welcomed suggestions and comments from our front line staff in the Border Patrol, they need support from the federal government, support which they will receive, no questions asked!" Colorado's other Senator, Michael Bennet,  added, "...what I heard from John (Hickenlooper) , compelled me to visit the southern border and see for myself, and he wasn't kidding, what has been happening down there, is nothing short of administrative and bureaucratic malfeasance and for Vice President Harris to say the visit was "politics" is nothing short of insulting. Maybe for her the narrative,  "That things are not that serious" is important, tell that to the people who are affected!".
Hick Hope,  Press Secretary to the Vice President, announced "..that the Vice President will make a statement to the American people on the southern border at 5:00 pm (EST) from the White House, the Vice President, will brief the American people on her findings, and offer comments regarding when her report will be published". It was also announced that the Vice president met with the President in the Oval office, early this morning.


NEXT UP: VICE PRESIDENT HALEY GIVES A BRIEFING ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND TAKES QUESTIONS: HARRIS FACING HEAT ON HER REMARKS OVER "JUST POLITICS" REMARK FOR  VISIT TO SOUTHERN BORDER

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

@President Stanton,
Yep, no surprise. Everything by Democrats is just POLITICS!

@2016, tell me about it 😒 🙄.
But knowing Harris , as politically obtuse and tone deaf she is, she'll probably believe by running for Governor of California, that she's doing the state and Democrats a favor by running; also judging from her attitude as Vice President, she has this belief that the mainstream media will cover her flanks and parrot her narrative. It's likely she will run and if she loses again! Democrats nationwide will offer a big sigh of relief 😌 "whew!". Also I don't think Becerra is all that a scintillating a candldate either, especially if he's facing  Kim , who'd probably run rings around the guy! I waa debating on whether to have Kamala sit out '26, but considering how Democrats tend to have a more disposable and competitive mentality about them, I don't think Harris would get a free pass on the nomination for '28, maybe so, if she didn't run and win in '26 or didn't run, and DeSantis is perceived to be unbeatable in '28, then considering how Harris is such a terrible candidate, the party would gladly have her be the "sacrificial lamb" and she loses again to DeSantis she gets all the blame & she's done once and for all! Who knows. I can imagine Kim will attack  Harris as part  of the so-called "San Francisco Cartel" & demand an explanation on her border security position amongst other things! Guess patience is a virtue.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

@SaintStan86, had to make it as fun as possible,  I guess CBS will see Harris as a jinx. Trying to compete with the President's town-hall wasn't going to end well for them, plus the whole interview won't get them anything in the ratings and the revenue side. There had to be pay-back for what happened over the Ted Cruz fiasco. Wait till you get my next post regarding the Haley press conference, especially her cutting remark directed at Harris .

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

Hi good evening, folks! Bill Hemmer at the news desk, I have with me Dana Loesch and Jennifer Griffin, but first we are going to Peter Doocy at the White House, Peter what are you hearing?


Doocy: Hi Bill, well there has been a flurry of activity here at the White House and ever since Hope Hicks, announced that the Vice president was due to deliver remarks on her visit to the border, it has become very hectic here. But no big reveal on what Vice President Haley will say! Bill.

Hemmer: Thanks Peter, Jennifer Griffin, you accompanied the Vice President to the border all last week, what is your sense of how things are?
Griffin: Bill, my one takeaway from the visit, compared to what we saw when Kamala Harris visited the border four years ago. It was not one big photo opportunity, the trip was about finding information and little else. I could see that it became a team effort, as everyone on the trip, realized how bad things were and wanted to hear it all. The Vice president brought a level of knowledge and interest to the issues being faced, that has not been seen in a long time.
Hemmer: That's something I'm beginning to appreciate, Dana Loesch! Thanks for joining us, what have you been hearing on your radio show, I believe very interesting.
Loesch: Hi Bill, Jennifer, the volume of call ins, relate to the Border Security issue, a very positive response to the President's town-hall last night, tells me that the folks out there accept that the Biden administration, Kamala Harris in particular dropped the ball on the southern border and virtually no effort was made to fix the problem.
Hemmer: So it seems Democrats are on the wrong side of this issue?
Loesch: It seems so Bill. Well sorry to interrupt you guys, because we believe the Vice President is about to appear.

Haley: Good evening everyone, well we have an awful lot to cover. Before I start, I would like to say I met with the President this morning and he was briefed on what we were confronted with at the Southern border over the three days we were there, so with that in mind, let me begin.
During visits to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, what is occurring at the border can no longer be ignored or dismissed as "just politics", what has been occurring at the border, is chaos, confusion and a border security structure that has been and is overwhelmed, this has been going on for four year's, either because of willful neglect or indifference.
So changes are necessary and that will be the function of my report, which is to offer recommendations.
I would like to thank Senator's Marco Rubio,  John Hickenlooper, Mark Kelly, Ben Lujan and Kyrsten Sinema, Attorney General Lagoa and Secretary Gimenez, as well as  Governor's Grisham and Abbott, and Congressman Bonilla for joining me on the visit.
The overriding goal will to implement changes that will enable our Border Patrol Agents to secure the border and regain a sense of normality to the area. Once we have restructured the border, ensured that resources  are made available, the process to reforming our immigration system will commence, that will come in both through  restructuring and overhaul of the current system, which we can agree is not equipped to deal with 21st century needs.
I will hand the podium over to the Attorney General.
Barbara Lagoa: Good evening, thank you Madam Vice President.
As you just heard from the Vice President, during our visit to the border last week, what we witnessed was largely an overwhelmed and under staffed border security apparatus
and that is due to how the Border security situation is not only caused by a massive influx of migrants, this is due in part to a combination of factors, Chief amongst them is the presence of human trafficking gangs and the drug cartels who are also moving a high volume of narcotics across our southern border, this brings an element of criminality into the towns, communities and urban center's which dot our southern border, to that end, the Department of Justice will be using the resources of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the FBI and local law enforcement to end this scourge once and for all. There will be an increase of resources to ensure that our Southern border. The outline of this restructuring will be included within the Vice President's report. I will now hand over the microphone to my cabinet colleague, Homeland Security Secretary, Gimenez. Carlos.
Carlos Gimenez: Thank  you Barbara, The most important part of Border Security, is to protect our Homeland and as the Vice President and Attorney General have already stated, that there not only needs to be a restructuring of the border security system, but the Deployment of resources, to this end, I will recommend to the President and the congress, that a expansion of our border security force will be necessary, that manpower will need to be increased, and that border security will have the powers and resources to ensure the border is actually secure, it will be necessary to establish fortified facilities and bases along the border, strengthen the existing parts of our border wall. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for securing our border and that process will begin now. Thank you Madam Vice President.
Haley: OK, we will take questions.
Kylie Atwood, CNN National Security correspondent: Raises her hand.
Haley: Kylie, your question?
Atwood: Madam Vice President. The raft of measures being recommended by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security are going to be costly, don't you think that such measures are an overreaction of the Administration?
Haley: Well no Kylie, its not a overreaction and yes Kylie, maybe costly as you suggest, but this Administration made it clear we would tackle border security.
Ken Dilanian, NBC Justice and Intelligence correspondent: My question, to you Madam Vice President, isn't the measures being suggested, unfair to the migrants?
Haley: Ken, I'm sorry, but the migrants are coming across the border, with no vetting process in place, how is that fair to our country? Before I became Vice president, I took an oath, and I will quote, "That I will support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.." unquote.
So Ken in response, so if it's unfair to the human traffickers and drug gangs that I take my oath seriously, well I am afraid that's too bad. I understand why the migrants are crossing our border, because they want to avail of the American dream and who wouldn't, but what we really have is a nightmare, that needs to end.
Olivia Gazis, CBS News Intelligence and National security reporter: Madam Vice President, I would like to find out and see the administration has established some sort of a timeline on when you see the changes you envisaged in place and ready for implementation.
Haley: Olivia, that will depend on how quickly we formulate the recommendations into a plan of action. But we probably expect within the next six months.
Greg Myre, NPR National Security correspondent: Madam Vice President, this question relates to a matter concerning the expansion and deployment of border security resources to area's where the border wall doesn't exist, would it be possible to know if the administration is now considering resuming construction of such a wall.
Haley: Well Greg, the border wall still exists and not to use, where the current manpower levels prohibit saturation coverage of the border, so initially it might be necessary.
Greg Jarrett, Fox News Legal affairs: Madam Vice President, will border security operations coordinate with other local, state and federal law enforcement authorities?
Haley: Yes, Greg that is and will be the plan to coordinate all aspects of resources that are and will be available.
John Gizzi, NewsMax White House Chief Correspondent: Madam Vice President, the remarks made last night by Kamala Harris in her interview on 60 minutes, suggested that the southern border was secure and the administration was overreacting. She even suggested that the motive for bringing up Border security was and I will quote, "Just politics", any comments?
Haley: Well I'm sure that anything that the former Vice President Harris says regarding the southern border, she made clear a few years ago, and obviously she is pretty sure of her position, so we will leave it, at that.
Okay thank you everyone.
Hemmer: Well there you have it, the Vice president has made it clear that changes will be made and I think the words of the Attorney General, should give the human traffickers and drug gangs, reasons to be worried. Jennifer Griffin, your thoughts on the Press conference?
Griffin: Haley from her visit to the border, knows what will be required, and I think both the Attorney General and Secretary Gimenez are likely to contribute to what changes will be necessary.
Hemmer: Dana Loesch, I will let you have the last word.
Loesch: Bill, the Vice President's response about Kamala Harris's remarks on her interview last night were telling  and ouch! I think the Vice President made it clear, that she doesn't believe that Harris has anything of substance to contribute to the border security debate.
Hemmer: Well thank you guys for joining me and thank you to our viewer's, join us later on Special Report, where Shannon Bream will be filling in for Bret Baier, who's away on assigment.
There will be more about this news conference and the expected reaction to the Vice President's remarks, as well what the Attorney General and Secretary Gimenez are seeking.

NEXT UP: WHATS NEXT FOR DEMOCRATS ON BORDER SECURITY?

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

CAMPAIGN NEWS 2026

THE SABER-RATTLING HAS STARTED AMONG DEMOCRATS...
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR PRIMARY CHALLENGERS TO SENATORS HICKENLOOPER AND LUJAN
Progressive Democrats in the Senate led by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and California Senator Alex Padilla are pushing for Primary Challengers to Senators John Hickenlooper & Ben Ray Luján after their recent Defections to support President DeSantis Border Initiative.
In Colorado they apparently encouraging Congresswoman Diana DeGette to challenge Hickenlooper while in New Mexico their early preferred Candidate is Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse-Oliver. It's however unclear if Toulouse-Oliver would even consider the Race given that there is an Open Governor Race next year in the State.

MACE PREPS FOR SENATE RUN IN SOUTH CAROLINA AMID INCREASING RETIREMENT RUMORS ABOUT SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
Congresswoman Nancy Mace is said to preparing a potential Senate Run as Retirement Speculation is ramping up on Senator Lindsey Graham's Political Future. If Graham does retire the Republican Senate Primary could get very crowded though. Almost the entire South Carolina Republican Congressional Delegation would be looking at the Race.

91-YEAR OLD IOWA SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY INDICATED THAT HE MIGHT RESIGN AT THE END OF THE YEAR
In a recent Interview with the Quad-City Times 91-year old Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley said that he might resign early and not serve out his Senate Term which ends in January 2029. Grassley overwhemingly beat Michael Franken during the 2022 Midterm Election.
A Grassley Retirement could put Republican House Conference Chairwoman Ashley Hinson in a dilemma. Hinson was considered a shoe-in for a possible Senate Appointment until she joined the Republican House Conference.

NEW POLL OUT LATER THIS WEEK BY A MAJOR NEWS ORGANIZATION WILL REVEAL YAWNING VERDICT FOR DEMOCRATS
Rumors hinting that a Major National Poll will be coming out later this week to reveal YAWNING Details for Democrats when it comes to the Border Issue, Balanced Budget, the National Depth, etc.

@2016! Hot dang! For Democrat this isn't going to end well on Border security, especially when you have both Harris and Schumer are in a "ostrich with head in the sand" mode! Bet when these new Polling figures come out, they'll probably say the polling samples are warped or words to that effect and just double down. They're still probably in denial about how bad they did in 2024! Reminds me of the Black Knight (in money python and the holy grail), gets his arm chopped off by King Arthur and says "tis but a scratch" and when he loses all limbs, he says "Alright let's call it a draw". It would be funny if both Hickenlooper and Lujan , successfully beat back these challenges! Progressive Democrats like Elizabeth Warren , can't do anything about Bennett, Kelly or Sinema and they're gonna  have the three of them spitting in their eyes at every opportunity. Will have to do a poll on the town-hall and Haley's visit to the border.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

BIG RETIREMENT IN THE LONE STAR STATE: ALSO RUMORS ABOUND ON A POSSIBLE GUBERNATORIAL RUN BY MICK MULVANEY IB SOUTH CAROLINA.
With the next Gubernatorial contest in Texas well over a 1½ year away, Greg Abbott, has informed donors and supporter's alike, that it is likely he won't seek another term as Governor; if that is true, expect to see another George Bush to throw his hat into the ring. No, not the former President, but rather his nephew George P..
The former Land Commissioner, who lost a primary four years ago. Meanwhile in South Carolina, the likelihood that Lindsey Graham will call it a day, and as this is about to occur, so too will the announcement that Mick Mulvaney , former WH CoS  unde4 Trump will seek the Governorship in a bid to succeed term limited Governor Henry McMaster .

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

CAMPAIGN NEWS 2026

THE SABER-RATTLING HAS STARTED AMONG DEMOCRATS...
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR PRIMARY CHALLENGERS TO SENATORS HICKENLOOPER AND LUJAN
Progressive Democrats in the Senate led by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and California Senator Alex Padilla are pushing for Primary Challengers to Senators John Hickenlooper & Ben Ray Luján after their recent Defections to support President DeSantis Border Initiative.
In Colorado they apparently encouraging Congresswoman Diana DeGette to challenge Hickenlooper while in New Mexico their early preferred Candidate is Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse-Oliver. It's however unclear if Toulouse-Oliver would even consider the Race given that there is an Open Governor Race next year in the State.

MACE PREPS FOR SENATE RUN IN SOUTH CAROLINA AMID INCREASING RETIREMENT RUMORS ABOUT SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
Congresswoman Nancy Mace is said to preparing a potential Senate Run as Retirement Speculation is ramping up on Senator Lindsey Graham's Political Future. If Graham does retire the Republican Senate Primary could get very crowded though. Almost the entire South Carolina Republican Congressional Delegation would be looking at the Race.

91-YEAR OLD IOWA SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY INDICATED THAT HE MIGHT RESIGN AT THE END OF THE YEAR
In a recent Interview with the Quad-City Times 91-year old Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley said that he might resign early and not serve out his Senate Term which ends in January 2029. Grassley overwhemingly beat Michael Franken during the 2022 Midterm Election.
A Grassley Retirement could put Republican House Conference Chairwoman Ashley Hinson in a dilemma. Hinson was considered a shoe-in for a possible Senate Appointment until she joined the Republican House Conference.

NEW POLL OUT LATER THIS WEEK BY A MAJOR NEWS ORGANIZATION WILL REVEAL YAWNING VERDICT FOR DEMOCRATS
Rumors hinting that a Major National Poll will be coming out later this week to reveal YAWNING Details for Democrats when it comes to the Border Issue, Balanced Budget, the National Depth, etc.

You meant to say FORMER Congresswoman DeGette, right? In the original TL, DeGette indeed retired and Candi CdeBaca is one of a number of emerging freshman progressives in the mold of AOC, hence her being the "AOC of the Rockies". Hickenlooper is quite entrenched amongst Democrats, though, and it will be hard to sell suburban Denver voters on a DeGette primary challenge even though DeGette herself represented many of these suburbs over the years, since they are largely Hickenlooper's primary base, having elevated him over Cory Gardner in 2020.

I also think it will be Nancy Mace and one of the upstate Republicans, possibly Jeff Duncan whose seat used to be held by Lindsey Graham should Graham retire. Duncan's 3rd District is the most conservative district in the state - consisting of Greenville's heavily Republican western suburbs as well as the Anderson and Greenwood areas and Clemson University (one of the more conservative FBS universities which along with the adjoining city of Clemson itself flipped from Biden to DeSantis, Biden having only won there in the low 50s in 2020), along with exurban Columbia's Newberry County.

A Mace vs. Duncan showdown would pit Haley ally Mace against Freedom Caucus member Duncan, and they certainly won't be the only candidates running on the GOP side. Expect the Democrats to focus more on the Graham seat just like they focused more on the David Perdue seat in Georgia with Jon Ossoff, versus the one Raphael Warnock defeated Kelly Loeffler in - which Herschel Walker has since won back for the GOP in the OGTL.

It's going to be a tad confusing, should it happen for Jeff Duncan to be running for the Senate seat, currently held by Lindsey Graham,  but decides to retire and Geoff Duncan runs in Georgia in an effort to oust Jon Ossoff.  Is it conceivably possible that Republican's gain 2 Senate  seats in the 2026 cycle, especially the way Democrats are posturing on the Border Issue?
Also could Shaheen lose to Sununu in New Hampshire: especially if she's forced to take what could turn out to be a unpopular position on the border?

GOING BACK TO MASSACHUSETTS: The commonwealth might be solidly blue, but Republican's are sensing that there could be an opportunity for a pick-up in the Governor's race, and are hoping that they could  recapture the magic that former Governor Charlie Baker possessed in spades (he could have run for a third term had he wished, as there are no term limits). The Republican's lost badly to current incumbent Governor Maura Healy, but she could be vulnerable, especially on the Border Issue, as she continuously punts on the question. There are two promising Republican possibilities, one is businessman Chris Doughty , who lost the party's primary to Trump backed candidate, Geoff Diehl . However, Doughty , will likely face another businessman and son of former Governor and current  Utah Senator, Mitt Romney . Tagg Mitt Romney , who has extensive ties in Massachusetts , he lives in Belmont with his family. WGBH political commentator, Adam Reilly, state's "Don't underestimate Romney's , potential, he's hungry and has deep pockets". Many will recall that there was a possibility that Romney might have run for the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts in 2013, but stated then, "Now is not my time". So maybe 2026 will be.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

TUESDAY MARCH 11 2025
FOX NEWS SUNDAY GUEST WILL BE VICE PRESIDENT NIKKI HALEY: Fox News, announced  that Vice President Nikki Haley will be the main and only guest for the full hour on Sunday March 16 2025. The host of the show Shannon Bream announced: The Fox News producers were in contact with the Vice President's office to discuss the possibility of a one-on-one interview. It is considered to be a coup for the News organization, in view it is the beginning of March madness; since the Fox News Sunday time slot, is the same one as NBC'S Meet The Press, ABC'S THIS WEEK & CBS'S Face The Nation, it was mooted by an industry expert, that the only option was to record, an interview in advance. As it appears that the Border security issue is fast becoming the dominant issue. It is not yet known if the Vice President will agree to appear on the other shows as well even if they are recorded.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

If I'm a Democrat , I'd be asking myself, why hasn't putting Tim Ryan in place as party chairman, and probably the answer they're gonna get back from John Q. Public, is you may have "put lipstick on the pig, but it's still a pig". These polling samples should have Democrats very worried. Also the mere fact that Elizabeth Warren and Alex Padilla are trawling around for potential primary challenges to both Hickenlooper and Lujan should also inform John Q. Public, that it's all about politics for the progressives within the Democratic party. If the Border Issue begins to gain traction in places like Massachusetts or New Hampshire in this TL, which I suspect it will, then you can bet Healy in Massachusetts and Shaheen in the Granite state will be hammered relentlessly by their Republican Challengers.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 12 2025: White House have released more details on the interview of the Vice President on Fox News Sunday. Vice presidential Press Secretary, Hope Hicks has indicated that the interview will be broken into two separate 1 hour segments, the  first interview will be held at the Vice  President's official residence, and the subsequent interview will be held the following Sunday during Vice  President  Haley's Asian trip. Fox News has confirmed that Shannon Bream will be part of the travelling press contingent.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

WEDNESDAY MARCH 12 2025, The White House quickly refuted Senator Schumer's claim, that there was an effort underway to build and finish Donald Trump's Border wall and Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany released a transcript of the Vice President's Press conference, with special emphasis made to Homeland Security Secretary Carlos Gimenez's statement. The Press Secretary added her own comments on Schumer's speech, "The Senate Minority Leader, knows full well, that his statement on the border wall, both in context and content is patently untrue, and I fear the Senator has been engaging in his own special version of gaslighting the American people and whatever his intentions are, won't be successful, as for the Senator's intentions to oppose the President's border initiative, that's his prerogative. He apparently is going to put his own political posturing ahead of the interests of the American people!"

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

BREAKING NEWS : It has been announced by the White House, that President DeSantis will hold the first ever prime time press conference of his Presidency on March 19 in the East Room of the White House. The press conference will come on the eve of what would have been two months since his inauguration. The President's press conference is expected to cover a wide range of topics ranging from his Border Security initiative, his ambitions for the Balanced Budget amendment, Vice President Haley's upcoming visit to  Asia , Ukraine and Taiwan.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

The Democrats in this TL are comically incompetent.

Well in every other TL and other scenarios they're comically so perfect , smooth and so successful! But these scenarios don't illustrate how tone deaf politically they actually can be and are. The attitude that prevails in their thinking  is that both coasts are the only thing which matters and those in flyover country can be dismissed and be looked down on. Imagine this I saw a perfect example of this group think and echo chamber attitude on one of CNN'S "News" shows (such as they are 🙄), and some guy, can't remember his name...illustrates how "unimportant" he is in the scheme of things, he proceeds to comment angrily that he was fed up with Ron DeSantis and his anti-wokeism and referred to Florida being some fantasy land! My how those liberals love to project! Well heard more of this nonsense this week didn't we? Kamala Harris, above all people! So what does the biggest political "genius" going, suggest? That aid to Florida hurricane disaster, should be decided entirely upon race and gender! You can't make this sh*t up!
P.S. The commentator to whom I referred to, is Bakari Sellers! Not someone you'll easily remember which shows!

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

THURSDAY MARCH 13 2025


Hi this is Bret Baier and welcome to Special Report, we have a lot to cover, but let's begin with the latest polling data just in, we have with us in our studio, we have both Frank Luntz and Karl Rove with us, gentlemen  your thoughts.


Rove: If you're a Democrat  this is devastating news, especially if you're trying to make the case, that the southern border wasn't anything to worry about. On everything that the President has done in relation to this whole issue, he's getting very high approvals. It tells me, that voter's trust the President on this issue, than they do Democrats
Baier: Frank Luntz you do polling and focus groups, why do Democrats especially with these numbers accept that the Border Issue has such resonance with the American people?
Luntz : They can't, especially that they've spent the last nearly ten year's pushing a narrative that attempts to dismiss the issue as anything but serious. They are really stuck on the horns of dilemma here. To embrace the DeSantis initiative, they lose credibility with their own base, who they've convinced that border crisis is pure fabrication.
Baier : You have been looking deeper into the data, what did you find?
Rove : More bad news, I have looked at a few potential contests in Massachusetts and New Hampshire , the border issue, has the potential to emerge as a major issue, even Governor Maura Healy and Senator Jean Shaheen could face strong headwinds on the issue.
Baier : Wow! Any good news for Democrats ?
Rove Yes, it's not October next year, one thing Bret, this polling data reflects the current political situation regarding the Border Issue.
Baier : Thank you guy's, we will discuss these polls with our roundtable later on.
In other news, both Mark Glass , President  Ron DeSantis's nominee for Director of the F.B.I. and Sandy Karsten , his nominee for Deputy Director, won easy votes of confirmation from the Senate Judiciary Committee today, their nominations will be voted upon tomorrow.
One footnote, I have been away on assignment and we went to the border to evaluate the border issue for ourselves, what we brought back, will be a part of a two-hour special called "Border Matters", so join us to see what we saw down there.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

@President Stanton,
Frank Luntz is right! We don't know if these Numbers will hold up. I suspect that they won't through the next two years. Immigration is a TWO-PART thing: Border Security (which I think ultimativly will pass) and Immigration Reform (what to do with the 8M+ People who are already into the US).

If I would advice DeSantis & Haley. Give them legal Status after 5 years if they have no criminalistic background, no gang background, etc. Yes, DeSantis would face some Headwinds from the MAGA/Freedom Caucus of the Party but he could put Democrats on the spot there. Will be interesting next year if an Immigration Reform Bill comes up presumably by Sinema & Moderate Dems what will do Schumer then.

I can imagine that DeSantis and Haley will give the 8.5 million emigrants citizenship, its a win-win for them, they pull over more hispanic voter's into their camp as a result, the MAGA-Freedom caucus crowd, will yap and whine, but they've no where to go. Also there will be other issues dominating the news cycle once the Border Security and Immigration Reform thing is done! DeSantis will have bragging rights going into '28 too. If the midterms in 2026 see no gains and/ or some losses for Democrats , then DeSantis can advance other parts of his agenda and bring them to fruition,  which means more bragging rights. I can see Voter ID is another big ticket item for DeSantis, and maybe actually get lower prescription drugs. As for the Balanced Budget amendment, it is doable; but it's not gonna be an overnight thing. For ratification, 38 of the 50 state's are necessary for passage. Yes it's true that Democrats will resist, but that's not the problem, opinion is split on the Balanced budget amendment,  there arguments for and against the feasibility of such an amendment.
I think not enough attention has been focused on the federal courts, all President's like to make their mark there especially on the Supreme Court, so I can imagine that sometime in this TL, Clarence Thomas and John Roberts will both call it a day. Perhaps one of Obama's choices will retire due to an illness or something.

FRIDAY MARCH 14 2025: White House has announced that President DeSantis will meet with Irish Prime Minister, Leo Veradkar at the White House, on Monday, which is also St. Patrick's day and will be presented with a bowl of Shamrock,
It should be noted that both Secretary of State Robert O'Brien and Treasury Secretary David McCormick are of Irish descent. Both the President and the Irish Prime Minister will have discussions on the Northern Ireland protocol, differences over the Corporate Tax Rate remain a sticking point, and it is this issue that has caused friction with previous administration's. It is not known if the President has any kind of Irish ancestry. However the Vice President's husband can trace his ancestry back to Co. Sligo in Ireland.

SENATE VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO CONFIRM BOTH DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FBI. Despite heated differences over Border Security, both Senate majority leader, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) , in a rare demonstration of bipartisan unanimity, ensured that the confirmation vote was held Pro Forma on the nominations of Mark Glass as Director of the FBI and Sandy Karsten as Deputy Director of the FBI

The President  and First Lady with their kids in tow, headed up to Camp David for the weekend, but the president will be focused on prepping for his first ever prime time press conference scheduled for next Wednesday.

NEXT UP: VICE PRESIDENT HALEY GIVES THE FIRST OF TWO 1-HOUR INTERVIEWS

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

Vice President Nikki Haley appeared as a guest on Fox News Sunday special, and spoke to Shannon Bream, the host of the Sunday News program. The special is part of a two-part special. The first part dealt with the Vice President's visit to the border region over a three-day period last week.
Here's the interview
Bream: Hi this is Shannon Bream and welcome to Fox News Sunday, and we are at the Naval  Observatory, the Vice  President's official  residence and for the next hour I will speak with the Vice President about her recent visit to the southern border and what are the nature of the problems which exist. We will discuss the recommendations that can be expected in the report, but first for some perspective, here's Bill Melugin out of our Los Angeles affiliate.


(Video clip)
Bream: I'm sitting across from the Vice President, thank you for joining us Madam
Vice President.

Haley: Good to speak with you Shannon.
Bream: Let's discuss the visit from the border and your reaction to what you saw.
Haley: Shannon, saying I was shocked would be putting it mildly, basically there's really no southern border, and the security is very underwhelming. There's a reason for that and comes down to manpower issues. The Border Patrol is stretched to breaking point and the resources available are not suitable to meet the challenges of securing the border.
Bream: Can the border be secured?
Haley: It can, but through neglect and indifference, the resources needed to secure the border aren't available or sufficient. Also very few people are aware, that there is 1,954 miles to manage, we have a wall that to this very day remains unfinished. And as I have already stated, there's not enough manpower to ensure the Border is secured properly.
Bream: You were accompanied by both the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, what role do you forsee for the Department of Justice and Homeland Security department regarding the southern border?
Haley: Well the Department of Homeland Security has a specific role, especially when it comes to border and this involves, oversight and management of our border security posture. The Border Patrol have a role, and it is to Patrol, and enforce a Border Security regime. As it stands this organization is severely understaffed and has encountered staffing shortages for the longest time, and currently is also expected to fulfil a law enforcement role as well. There responsibility should be to monitor and control the border. But because of overstretched resources, they can't do their job.
Bream: So the Department of Justice, there role would be?
Haley: The Justice Department's role, under any circumstances, and especially in this case ensure that our law's are enforced, and that those who violate those law's are not brought to account. This would include ensuring that the Drug cartels and Human traffickers can no longer operate with impunity and without fear.
Bream: What would the law enforcement aspect, regarding the southern border entail.
Haley: The Attorney General and I had a long conversation on this particular matter and we are in agreement, that the following steps need to, and should be followed. These include, beefing and enlarging the presence of the DEA, to ensure the flow of drugs are stopped cold. The Attorney General will recommend that a division that specifically focuses on Human trafficking is also stopped, this division will oversee coordination between the FBI, local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure that this activity is halted.
Bream: Back to Border security, how can this organization be overhauled and reformed.
Haley: Firstly I believe we need to increase the budget for our border patrol, it should have two arms. The first arm, should  be permanent standing force who's job would be specific, and that is to guard the border. The second arm, would be administrative in its purpose, to manage fortified facilities and assist our immigration system in the processing of migrants, who would like to move here. There would be processes and proper procedures in place.
Bream: There are many, within the Democratic party who dismiss the seriousness of the Border problem and claim that the DeSantis administration is engaged in hysteria for political purposes, your response.
Haley: I don't think that politics has any place in border security, this is a policy issue and about how to fix an existing and broken system, that's my focus. The president has
stated, immigration should be a dream and not a nightmare. I agree with him, we are all the children and descendants of emigrants and because dreams were fulfilled, we share in the American experience. That is not the case for the migrants who cross our border on a daily basis, these people are exploited and preyed upon by predator human trafficking gangs and the drug cartels, that has to stop. Many of the migrants are paying thousands of dollars to these criminal's and for what? To put themselves at risk and danger.
Bream: How do you envisage potential emigrants coming to our country, if not illegally.
Haley: When we have control of our border, our immigration system will be reformed, part of this reform, would be to establish immigration offices at our consulates and embassies around the world, and we would ensure that the system was accessible and
user friendly to all applicants.
Bream: What is your response, when you hear Democrats such as Senator's Padilla and Warren, demanding that primary challenges be launched against those Senator's who are now on record of supporting the President's border initiative?
Haley: My response would to keep politics out of Border security, but understanding that any changes made, will require political engagement, I will say this I'm disappointed, but not surprised over the postures which Senator's Padilla, Schumer and Warren are taking, unfortunately, it is clear that it's just about politics with them. I will note Shannon, that not once have these three Senator's approached me, to raise questions on the issue or make concrete proposals for changes. Instead they use border and immigration issues as a wedge issue to cudgel those who try to affect change.
So I will say this, both the President and myself have long ago lost patience with those who are not interested in making our country better.
Bream: Senator Schumer gave a speech on the Senate floor, here's a clip, and I'd like to get your response.
(Video clip) "Make no mistake! What we heard from the Vice President, on Monday makes it clear. They want to finish Donald Trump's Job and finish what he started and complete the Border wall.."
Bream: Your response.
Haley: There he goes again (laughing), I would urge Senator Schumer to actually pay attention to what people say, I seem to recall, that it was Secretary Gimenez  who stated that "existing part's of the border wall will be strengthened". Not once did me, the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security state that a border wall be completed. I am puzzled at how Senator Schumer concludes a borderwall be completed, when that's not our plan.
Unfortunately It appears that Senator Schumer actually prefers open borders and I wonder why.
Bream: When do you expect your report will be completed and ready for both the President, Congress and the public at large?
Haley: Well Shannon, because it's content, subject  matter and volume, the likelihood is that we expect to have it ready by the first week in April.
Bream: Madam Vice President thank you for today.
Next Sunday the Vice president will be travelling throughout Asia and I will be joining her on that journey, so join me next week, when once again I will sit down with the Vice President and discuss the trip and the administration's expectations regarding our relationships in the Asian subcontinent.
Thank you again and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

NEXT UP: FLORIDA PRIMARY RESULTS

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

Friday March 14 2025
THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS SELECTED KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AS THE CHAIRMAN FOR THE DGA AND ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J. B. PRITZKER AS VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE DGA IN 2025 AT THEIR ANNUAL MEETING IN DETRIOT, MICHIGAN
POPPY HARLOW, CNN NEWSROOM ANCHOR: We just received the News that just like last weekend for the Republicans, the Democrats this Friday voted to elect Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear as Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker as Vice Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. Certainly the Election of Beshear has potentially started the extremely very early speculation of a 2028 White House Run by the young Kentucky Governor. However Beshear will likely say when he speaks on Sunday that he is focusing on his Job in hand. Beshear's Term ends in 2027.

At 4pm ET we will drop more Results from our CNN/GALLUP NATIONAL POLL so stay with CNN.

MONDAY MARCH 17 2025

President DeSantis , welcomes Irish Prime Minister Leo Veradkar to White House, for the purpose of celebrating St. Patrick's Day and having discussions on some issues of mutual concern. Also present at the meetings were Vice President Nikki Haley,  Secretary of  State, Robert O'Brien and Secretary of the Treasury, David McCormick , both who are of Irish descent.



DNC CHAIRMAN, HAILS ELECTION OF KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AS CHAIRMAN OF DGA AS PROMISING.
DNC Chairman,  Tim Ryan , applauded the election of Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky as a positive step. However Ryan speculates that Beshear's election is merely "...window dressing and I would be amazed if my party started to act like grownups for a change!"


President Ron DeSantis receiving a bowl of Shamrock from Irish Prime Minister, Leo Veradkar in celebration of St. Patrick's day. Later both leaders discussed the difficulties over the Northern Ireland protocol, as well as differences concerning Ireland's  delay to eliminate their Corporate Tax exemption. A tentative agreement was reached during the Biden administration, but Ireland has since then revised their position on the issue.

NEXT: DESANTIS NEWS CONFERENCE, CREATES ANOTHER HEADACHE FOR DEMOCRATS

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

TUESDAY MARCH 18 2025

Hi welcome to Special Report, and I am Bret Baier, as you can from the numbers, the primary elections have all been projected, so the dye is cast for the upcoming special elections, scheduled to be held on April 22.
As you can see, while there's little likelihood that things will change in Florida-19 or Florida-21. However the outcome of the contest in Florida-28 , should be a good indicator for approval or disapproval.

    

The possibilities that former Congressmen Curt Lawson in Florida's 19th, will defeat Cindy Banyai and Tom Rooney in Florida's 21st will likewise win, defeating Corinna Robinson .

 
 
However, it is the contest in Florida's 28th where there is no certainty, Mayor of Miami, Francis X. Suarez , who won his last election for Mayor by a whopping 80% will be in one hell of a fight, with former Congresswoman Debbie Macursell-Powell.

 

With me in our studio for analysis are Al Cardenas , Fox News Radio Political analyst and Axios senior political correspondent Josh Krausshaar and Fox News Senior Political analyst, Britt Hume, first to Al Cardenas , your take on these results?
Cardenas : No real surprises here tonight and as far as Florida's 19th and 21st Districts, they will be swapping one set of Republican congressmen for another set. However it is the 28th to which closer attention will be focused on.
Baier: The set of congressmen which Al was referring are White House Chief of Staff, Byron Donalds and Veterans Affairs Secretary Brian Mast. I will go to Josh Krushaar and talk about Florida's 28th District, you see any changes there?
Krushaar : Well we can expect that is a district everyone is going to be paying particularly close attention to, as you will know Bret is that Suarez is highly popular in the Miami area, where he won by 80% for Mayor, so on the surface his appeal shouldn't be dismissed, however that being said, let's look at Debbie Macursel-Powell , she served for one single term and you can expect that the DCCC are going to pump in an inordinate amount of cash, as they would like nothing better to do, than give the DeSantis administration. It's a district we need to keep a close eye on.
Baier: I will ask you Britt, will the President come down to Miami and help Suarez ?
Hume : I imagine he will, only for the fact, that he'll probably want to use the opportunity to push for the Border Security Bill and if Suarez wins, it's an endorsement of sorts, there's one thing I just heard, but former Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to campaign as is former President Barack Obama .
Baier : Interesting, so it may appear that the former Vice President isn't entirely done with politics or campaigning. As always your insights and analysis was welcome. Later on we will discuss the President's upcoming press conference scheduled for tomorrow night, and joining us will be Howard Kurtz to discuss Nielsen's ratings for Fox News, compared to other networks since the President came into office.
Now to other news.

COMING NEXT: PRESIDENT'S PRESS CONFERENCE

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

Good evening and thank you for joining us, this is Bret Baier here in Washington at our Fox studio, in a short while we will be going over to the White House for live coverage of the President's first prime time press conference, events that have become rare events in recent year's.
With me in studio are Dana Perino, Stephen Hayes and Karl Rove, welcome all.
Dana, you once served as Press Secretary to President George W. Bush, what can we expect from tonight's event?
Perino: Bret, it is likely to be dominated by the Border crisis, and whatever the doubts that those in the Democratic party register to the seriousness of the situation, I imagine the subject of Border security will come up in many of the subjects.
Rove: I think Dana is correct, the President can set the agenda, and this was no more truer with George W. Bush, we had "No child left Behind and we even got Ted Kennedy to work with us, and this administration has decided to pursue Border Security as its defining issue and get it fixed.
Baier: So Karl, why are Democrats resistant to engaging on the issue?
Rove: I think, the idea of open borders is easier for Democrats, one of their key constituent groups have been Hispanics and they have assumed that they could make it  politically dangerous for anyone to tackle border security, they refused to cooperate with Donald Trump on the Border wall, and were able to stall it, by precipating a Government shutdown. What I think has occurred many Hispanics are split on the Border Issue, and Ron DeSantis saw an opening and an opportunity and he saw how vulnerable [bDemocrats[/b] could be on the border and decided hit Democrats on their position, linking it to crime, the influx of drugs across our southern border and even on the issue of integrity in our voting law's. As it turned out DeSantis demonstrated his efficacy on the issue, when he won 48% of the hispanic vote to Harris's 45% in the last election and this is why he will pursue Border Security, because it works politically and also maybe because he is a descendant from emigrants, he wants emigration to be a better experience for those who want to come to this country, than is the case now.
Baier: Well food for thought, we got a cue from Peter Doocy are guy for this press conference. We are going to Jacqui Heinrich, no hold on a moment, well as you can everyone the press conference is about to begin.



              TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEXT POST

Hi Everyone this is Bret Baier, and what you have been watching and we've been covering, was President DeSantis's first official press conference since he took office nearly two months ago, we will go to the White House and we have Jacqui Heinrich standing by.
Jacqui what can you tell us, from what you have seen.
Heinrich: Yes, Bret from what I can tell you, this President has shown everyone from the Democrats, to Xi Jinping, to Vladimir Putin and finally the Mexican president, that where he stands and judging from what I have seen, this President is the master of all he surveys. Also I can say this, the White House is very pleased with tonight's press conference and they are waiting for the first snap poll, to find out the public reaction. Back to you Bret.
Baier: Thank you Jacqui, of course with me, I have a panel of our regulars, Stephen Hayes, editor of the Dispatch, our very own Dana Perino and Karl Rove.
First to you Stephen, your thoughts.
Hayes: Well Bret, you can see why the President won last November, he is a vastly better communicator than any President since Barack Obama, and he also happens to have an agenda, that he wants and expects to pass.
Baier: Karl Rove, do you have your pad with you tonight? (Laughter).
Rove: Not tonight Bret (more laughter)
Baier: So your reaction.
Rove: All I say, is that no wonder, the Democrats can't seem to get a break, DeSantis has the ideas, the mandate, the numbers in Congress and a visible support from the public. Also remember what I said last night, with the polling we were looking at, this President has a message and knows how to communicate that message, what we saw tonight in the East Room is a clear example of that.
Baier: Dana Perino, you have worked for a president, how would categorize the styles between George W.  Bush and Ron DeSantis?
Perino: There are certain similarities, but definite contrasts. Bush was a movement conservative, you could see it in his language, whereas this President is a conservative, but with a more populist tinge, his worldview is one of a realist, while President Bush would tend to have a revisionist view.
Baier: Back to you Stephen, the President touched on what is a touchy subject for Democrats, and it's voter ID, is there support for such a proposal?
Hayes: I don't know Bret, but I think a lot of folks recognize that it ties in with Border Security. Also a good deal of Republican's view that an awful lot of illegal emigrants can vote and do so, because of no voter ID exists. The evidence is disputed, but you can bet why Voter ID is suddenly on the agenda, as there is a good chance that Voter ID will be a trade off, with the MAGA and Freedom caucus Republican's as they could object to one of the likely ingredients of any Immigration Reform package where 8 + million emigrants could get citizenship within 7 year's.
Rove: I agree with Stephen, and I also think that the Voter ID measure would be that sweetener, in exchange those emigrants would get citizenship, but I disagree with Stephen on the time period, I think it's 5 year's.
Baier: An awful lot of libertarian Republican's such as Rand Paul may have a problem where you have a Voter ID card, which is basically part of a national ID system.
Hayes: I think the White House will probably
need to navigate on such an issue, as Democrats will likely forge some kind of alliance with not only libertarians, but Anti-government types, who would automatically reject the proposition of any type of government overreach.
Baier: Strange bedfellows! Well thank you all, and thank you viewer's for sharing your evening with us.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States!
The president approaches the podium and adjusts the microphone.


DeSantis: Before we begin, let me start by saying that the Vice President's visit to the southern border, shone a light on a worsening situation, both from a security and health perspective.
I would like to commend those Senator's and lawmakers who accompanied both the Vice President, Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security on this trip, there contributions to any border security legislation will not only be welcomed, but sought. On this issue we can all agree, solutions and remedies are necessary.

Now to questions, James Rosen!
James Rosen, NewsMax White House correspondent: Mr. President, in recent day's, Senator Schumer made a statement on the Senate floor, "That your administration intends to build and finish the border wall, what is the administration's position on the border wall?
DeSantis: The answer to that question I think that was made very clear, not only by the Vice President last Sunday, by Secretary Gimenez
last Monday week, "The border wall will be strengthened where it is necessary to compliment our Border patrol; to suggest that my administration intends to build a wall for the entire 1,954 miles of our border, is ridiculous. From a financial perspective it wouldn't be feasible, so my suggestion to Senator Schumer, stop gaslighting folks and insisting something which is not going to happen, will happen. I understand Senator Schumer is engaged in political posturing.

Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent. Mr. President, are you accusing the Senate Minority Leader of lying on the wall?
DeSantis: If the shoe fits!
Baker: Mr. President, a follow up question, can the border situation be fixed and how?
DeSantis: Well Peter, it will need to be, and both Attorney General Lagoa and Secretary Gimenez outlined the solutions and these recommendations will be part of the language in the legislation which both Senator's Rubio and Sinema will be authoring.
Ashley Parker, White House Bureau Chief for Washington Post. Sir, another area of the Border security debate, revolves around reforming the Immigration system, what do you envisage will be the changes made.
DeSantis: Well Ashley, as the immigration system stands, it isn't operating as efficiently as it should be, and this is due to a one size fits all mentality. Those who want to migrate to our country, must be able to be sure, that their application's are not going to be rejected no matter what their circumstances, I think this is what migrants face now. We must set up immigration offices in all our embassies or consular offices world wide, so anyone who wishes to emigrate can do so without resorting to the extreme steps of taking dangerous journeys over thousands of miles. If all potential emigrants felt they were going to get a fair shake, then maybe the border situation wouldn't be as chaotic as it is. Furthermore I think it will be necessary to ensure that anyone who took the trouble in coming to our country for the purpose of making a better future for themselves and their family, that citizenship should be offered to them.

Catherine Lucey, White House Reporter, Wall Street Journal. Mr. President, I would like to follow-up on my colleague's recent question.
DeSantis: What colleague would that be Catherine? (Laughter).
Lucey: It seems the response you gave Ashley Parker, isn't based on reality, more on hope Sir, could you expand on the last question.
DeSantis: I will Catherine, firstly I think the focus has been too much on the border, and it should, because it is a mess, but the immigration system as it is, needs to be reformed and changed in its operations. You cannot fix one part of a problem, while neglecting or ignoring the other part of the problem. So, Catherine it is not unrealistic if we tackle the situation at the Border, and address some of the current inadequacies in our immigration system, that maybe we can make immigration a much safer, fairer and easier option than it currently is.

Sarah Westwood: White House Correspondent, Washington Examiner: Sir, a question on politics, much has been made on the posturing by Democrats on the border issue, why the opposition?
DeSantis: I don't know their reason's, I have along time ago given up speculating on why Democrats do anything! But what I will say, is that on the border security issue, they are wrong, and an awful lot of folks think so. I can imagine that they want open borders for a reason, you might want to ask them why, and while you are at it, ask them why are they on record to being opposed to Voter ID law's, that's something else we need to tackle.

Cecilia Vega: CNN White House Chief Correspondent: Mr. President, it appears that you are suggesting that Democrats want open borders, could you qualify such a question.
DeSantis: I will Cecilia, firstly it appears from my perspective and an awful lot other folks too,  that our friends on the Democratic side of the aisle, are pretty okay with things as they are, they claim that, I and my administration are fabricating the crisis and also claim that everything is not so bad down there. Two members of the Democratic caucus in the Senate, called for primary challenges against two of other members of that same caucus, because they happen to agree with what is now a widely held view. So again why the resistance? The evidence of how security at the southern border, is basically non existent. The proposals we are making are common sense solutions and reasonable, yet Democrats are trying their level best to ensure things stay the same, so Cecilia, why?

Janet Rodriguez, Univision White House Correspondent: Mr. President, you have spoken at length about this border crisis,  and considering that the White House just announced two days ago, that you will be travelling to Mexico, to meet with President Pardo next month. I imagine that the Border situation will come up in your discussions. Do you expect any progress on the issue?
DeSantis: I hope that there will be Janet, most if not all the migrants who cross the border are Mexican, but even if this wasn't the case, Mexico will need to address some of the problems to have created the border crisis in the first place.
Rodriguez: Will you make suggestions?
DeSantis: That's the plan, but even when I do, I would hope that Mexico can identify the problems and possibly come up with solutions that would be beneficial to both our countries, I look on any cooperation as a sign of a reciprocal partnership.
Rodriguez: Sir, do you expect to share in the costs of securing your southern border?
DeSantis: Like a wall? (Laughter)
No not so Janet, securing our border is ultimately our responsibility, but the nature of the continuous stream of migrants is created by a manifestation of various issues, economic, criminal and political and Mexico and other countries in the Central and Latin America will have to address these problems. We are no longer willing to pick up the tab and let this idea be perpetuated, that it's business as usual, because that will no longer be the case.

Hallie Jackson, MSNBC White House Chief Correspondent: Mr. President, another issue which you just raised, was implementing a voter ID law, there is a suggestion that such a proposal will disenfranchise African-American's and those on low incomes or on the margins of society, isn't such a proposal unnecessary and unfair?
DeSantis: Hallie, I will ask you this, doesn't everyone have a ID card issued by their state DMV? how are they affordable? Yet voter ID cards are not? Also this is a fact, everyone in this country was issued with their own unique social security number, this would these folks receive issue a card which would carry all their information and by extension identify everyone who has the right to vote, and other rights which citizens also would have.

Peter Doocy, Fox News Chief White House correspondent: Mr. President, the issue of prices of prescription drugs has been an issue on and off for a new of year's,  President's Trump and Biden have attempted to negotiate a lower drug cost's, how would your administration bring about reductions in these prices?
DeSantis: That's something that HHS Secretary, Ben Carson is attempting to tackle. Most of the pharmaceuticals operate on the premise of their bottom line, and their costs are artificially high due existing market forces and manufacturing cost's. These pharmaceuticals have a high tax rate, therefore this factor along with market and manufacturing costs, make these drugs high. However Secretary's McCormick and Carson have agreed that Enterprise and tax free zones could be established, this would mean for a lower net tax rate, drugs manufactured within these zones, could be sold at prices dramatically lower to either the individual or a HMO. Everyone wins, but like everything, it all comes in the planning.

Gary O'Donoghue, BBC Chief North American Political Correspondent: Mr. President, over a week ago, you had an opportunity to meet with the British prime minister, Liz Truss, so in light of that meeting, is the much vaunted 'special relationship' intact, or are there still outstanding issues still to be addressed?
DeSantis: I had a good meeting with Liz Truss and while differences need to be ironed up, I would say the relationship still remains intact.
O'Donoghue: You mentioned differences, would they be connected with the Northern Ireland protocol, and if so, is there is flexibility on the part of the Irish government regarding this issue?
DeSantis: I discussed this issue with the Irish Prime Minister, but he and his government have clarified their position, and the United States accept that the Good Friday Agreement is a binding international treaty, and  I mentioned this to the British prime minister, that the difficulties created by Brexit, will not impact on the Agreement.
I reminded Ms.Truss that  the Northern Ireland protocol is a result of Brexit and therefore, no way does it relate to the Agreement, which the United Kingdom is a signatory.

Kristen Welker, NBC Chief White House correspondent: Mr. President, tensions between the United States and China have increased, do you think that your speech to congress a couple of weeks ago, may have increased those tensions?
DeSantis: Kristen, that may be the case, but unfortunately Beijing and President Xi Jinping seem to operate on a plain of nationalistic exceptionalism, that they have a right to act with impunity on all issues foreign and domestic; however, what they apparently fail to appreciate, is that Taiwan has a right of self determination.
Welker: Mr. President, China views Taiwan as a part of mainland China and therefore all matters concerning Taiwan as an internal matter
DeSantis: I beg to differ, Kristen, Taiwan has made it abundantly clear, it has no desire or wish to join mainland China, as far as this administration, the "Two-China" policy makes it clear that the United States will give Taiwan whatever support it should need and China, should not assume, this is somehow a license to annex Taiwan. We saw what mixed signals resulted in, with regards to Ukraine, and we have what we now have. I would like to think that China unlike Russia will not act foolishly and flagrantly disregard international norms. With that in mind, I expect China to respect the status of Taiwan as a sovereign independent country. With that in mind, I will take a few more questions.

Weijia Jiang, CBS Chief White House Correspondent: Mr. President, staying on China, what do you expect out of future Sino-U.S. relations?
DeSantis: Well I want the United States and China to enjoy a fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship, but Beijing's practices of unfair trade practices, currency manipulation and intellectual theft, leads me to believe that, that country refuses to understand, that a relationship based on trust and respect, has to be a two-way relationship.

Michael Wilner, Chief White House correspondent for the Jerusalem Post: Mr. President, Sir, a few weeks ago Secretary of State, Robert O'Brien visited both Israel and Turkey, and there are rumors that Secretary O'Brien met with leaders of the Palestinian Authority in Istanbul, I would like to know on behalf of my readers, did Secretary O'Brien inform leaders of my country's government that he met with leaders of the Palestinian Authority and what was on the agenda during those meetings?
DeSantis: Listen Michael, Secretary O'Brien wishes to secure a line of dialogue between both sides and perhaps both sides can engage in serious discussions regarding the outstanding issues that are of concern. One thing I know, there has been an atmosphere of mutual distrust and animosity.

Peter Baker, New York Times, Chief White House correspondent: Sir, speculation suggests that your administration might attempt to resume bilateral talks with North Korea regarding their nuclear weapons program, any comment?
DeSantis: Look Peter, my administration would always hope that North Korea would begin the process of denuclearization. I understand that Kim Jong-Un has a belief that a nuclear arsenal would give North Korea a sense of security, my question is what from?
Baker: So what you're suggesting is that North Korea possessing nuclear weapons is of little benefit, as that country face's no threat, immediate or otherwise?
DeSantis: That is correct, but if you remember Peter, the United States have shown a willingness to discuss any concerns that North Korea had, President Trump met with the Kim Jong, not once, but twice. It became clear that North Korea's demands were unrealistic and that they were not reasonable regarding our negotiations. They were not operating in good faith.

Chanel Rion, OAN Chief White House correspondent: Mr. President, picking up on Peter Baker's question regarding North Korea, would you entertain meeting with Kim Jong-Un?
DeSantis: Only If the right circumstances allowed for a meeting. The United States would have to believe that reciprocity was possible. What I'm saying Chanel, is that I won't meet with the North Korean leader, for the sake of saying we met.

Laura Haim, US Bureau Chief Correspondent, French News USA: Mr. President, in view of the strong stance your administration is taking over China's intentions toward Taiwan, will the United States adopt a more activist policy towards Russia's continued aggression towards Ukraine?
DeSantis: Our position is unchanged when it comes to Russia's efforts in Ukraine, Mr. Putin should by now appreciate fully that neither the United States nor NATO are going anywhere, and Ukraine will continue to receive both military and any other assistance it needs and requests or requires. If after 3 year's, Putin still doesn't understand this, and he presumes he can wait out the West, he is surely going to be greatly disappointed. His efforts to browbeat, threaten and bully Europe has failed and maybe he should accept that he will lose.
Haim: Mr. President, are you or NATO not fearful that Putin might still use nuclear weapons?
DeSantis: I think Mr. Putin has by now recognized that's a card he can no longer play, it's more likely than not, Mr. Putin claimed he wasn't bluffing when it came to the nuclear threat, but as we all know, time hasn't be kind to Mr. Putin, his economy is in a shambles, the revenues he expected from arms sales or from his energy stockpiles have dwindled or dried up. His country is a pariah and over the past few years, he was given several off-ramps to disengage from his ill-fated Ukraine adventure, but he blindly refused. So I will suggest this, maybe Putin should get into a new line of business, as his jackboot hasn't worked out too well. Now one more question, Courtney?

Courtney Subramanian, USA Today White House correspondent: Mr. President, this a question regarding the Balanced budget amendment, do you expect that you can secure passage for such an amendment? And if so, when?
DeSantis: Courtney, I believe we will get this amendment passed, it may take a bit longer than expected, but it must pass, as it would be one of the tools we need to not only get government spending under control, but to affect a reduction of our budget deficit. Most households live within spending limits and couldn't expect to borrow and borrow without limits, yet for some reason this nation has embraced that it is normal. I think that we need to understand spending discipline must be embraced, if we want to stop this endless spiral of deficit spending. We need to begin.
Thank you everyone.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

Guess Obama and Democrats have a great invested in the narrative that Obama must be still a vote getting plus, and that Macursel-Powell really needs Barack , yeah like a hole in the head. Joe Biden might want to whisper in his former boss's ear at the opening Obama presidential library in Chicago next Sunday, stay away from Miami, we don't want that 16% deficit to double. Guess Obama wants to feel relevant again. DeSantis should tell Obama , to just go to Miami, as it will help, but not the person you think it will help. Will be interesting to see the Democrats response to the press conference, especially the Voter ID proposal, bet Schumer will go ballistic at being accused of lying and in prime time as well. Let the sparks fly!

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

@President Stanton,
This is genius: A Universal Voter ID Law. I talked about that during the Transition Period in the Original Blank Canvas TL by SaintStan86. It would make sense too.

@2016, I vaguely remember that the Voter ID proposal had been suggested, so I figure, coupled with the Border Security debate, and considering how Democrats are now on the back foot, especially over polling and how DeSantis has the numbers on his side, he probably figures it's time to begin a conversation on Voter ID, he's got nothing to lose and a hell of lot to gain. I would like to think that DeSantis knows which buttons to push, when it comes to Schumer and his fellow travellers within the progressive wing of the Democratic party and if so, he'll keep pushing.