Heritage’s James Carafano, MD GOP’s Dirk Haire, National Review’s Jim Geraghty and Larry Kudlow joined WMAL on Tuesday!

Mornings on the Mall

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Hosts: Mary Walter and Vince Coglianese

5am – A/B/C   Republicans Demand Another Vote to Repeal the Affordable Care Act

• It’s official: Senate Finance Cmte will hold a hearing on Graham-Cassidy next Monday at 10am (5 days before Sept 30th deadline):
• Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are all signaling that they might vote against their party’s latest proposal to repeal Obamacare.
• McCain blasts latest ObamaCare repeal process
• Murkowski still studying new ObamaCare repeal bill
• Collins skeptical of new ObamaCare repeal effort
• Sen. Rand Paul: Graham/Cassidy does NOT repeal ObamaCare and I oppose it — “Obamacare Lite”
• Ryan: Graham-Cassidy ‘best, last chance’ to repeal ObamaCare
• Schumer threatens to slow down Senate over ObamaCare repeal

5am – D         Trump Pushes U.N. on Reform and Hints He May Quit Iran Nuclear Deal. On Monday, he commended the secretary general for seeking “to focus more on people and less on bureaucracy.” He added: “We seek a United Nations that regains the trust of the people around the world. In order to achieve this, the United Nations must hold every level of management accountable, protect whistle-blowers and focus on results rather than on process.” Mr. Trump said any reform should ensure that no member “shoulders a disproportionate share of the burden, and that’s militarily or financially,” a nod to conservatives who bristle at the United Nations costs borne by the United States. Mr. Trump said nothing about whether he would pursue his proposal to radically cut American funding for the organization. Mr. Trump later met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, in the first of a string of sessions he will conduct with counterparts during four days in New York. Mr. Netanyahu pressed Mr. Trump to either revise the Iran nuclear agreement negotiated by Mr. Obama or scrap it. Asked by reporters if he would withdraw, Mr. Trump said: “You’ll see very soon. You’ll be seeing very soon.” He added: “We’re talking about it constantly. Constantly.”

Trump Will Present His ‘America First’ Worldview At UN Address, WH Official Says. President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday to the United Nations General Assembly will be the “embodiment” of the “America First” worldview he presented on the campaign and in speeches since, a senior White House official told reporters Monday. Trump’s speech Tuesday will be his first time addressing the U.N. and the White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the president “spent an enormous amount of time crafting” and “fine-tuning his address.” The president’s anti-globalist stance is a departure from his predecessor. During his last address to the U.N General Assembly, President Obama admitted there were problems with a “collision of cultures” that globalism has caused, but urged nations to embrace internationalization.

5am – E         EMMYS NEWS:

• EMMY RATINGS TANKED: It turns out American viewers may not have been as into Trump bashing as Hollywood would like them to be, as the 8.2 overnight rating among metered market households is down 2.4 percent from the 2016 edition, which would make it the lowest rated Emmy telecast ever. The reason it’s hasn’t been officially labeled the lowest-rated Emmys yet is because six of the 56 markets are in Florida have not reported, as Hurricane Irma is still holding up the process in areas that were severely impacted by the storm.
• Spicer wore a disguise to travel from DC to LA for Emmys undetected. (The Hill) — Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer says he wore a disguise while traveling for his surprise appearance on Sunday night’s Emmy Awards. In a new interview with The New York Times published Monday, Spicer says he disguised himself when he and his wife left Washington, D.C., traveling to Los Angeles on Saturday. Spicer didn’t say what the disguise was, but the Times reports a friend of Spicer’s said the disguise may have included fake facial hair. Spicer told the the Times that almost no one involved in the production of the Emmys knew about his appearance on the show. The former press secretary said host Stephen Colbert suggested the idea via a producer, and said his name was left off scripts for the show.

6am – A         NYT: Cobb overheard talking about colleagues, Russia probe at DC steakhouse. Washington (CNN) White House attorney Ty Cobb was overheard talking about the Russia probe and some of his colleagues at a Washington steakhouse by a New York Times reporter, the publication reported Sunday night. Cobb, who was hired to oversee the White House’s legal and media response to the investigation into Russian meddling, was heard talking openly about the Russia investigation with John Dowd, a Washington lawyer with experience in high-profile political cases. “The White House counsel’s office is being very conservative with this stuff,” Cobb reportedly told Dowd at BLT Steak in Washington last week. “Our view is we’re not hiding anything.” He added White House counsel Don McGahn had “a couple of documents locked in a safe” that he suggested he wanted access to. Cobb also expressed concern with a White House lawyer he didn’t name in the conversation. “I’ve got some reservations about one of them,” Cobb reportedly said. “I think he’s like a McGahn spy.” Cobb also reportedly brought up the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting — when Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort met with Russian operatives after the younger Trump was informed the Russian government was trying to help his father’s campaign — as well as the White House’s response to it, saying “there was no perception that there was an exchange.”

6am – B         Trump Wants a July 4th Parade in Front of the White House Showcasing ‘Military Strength’ (Mediaite) – President Donald Trump said that he is considering holding a Fourth of July parade on Pennsylvania Avenue — or in front of the White House — showcasing America’s “military strength.” His inspiration for a military parade came after his visit with French president Emmanuel Macron earlier this year, as he visited the country during Bastille Day festivities which tout armed service strength. President Donald Trump said that he is considering holding a Fourth of July parade on Pennsylvania Avenue — or in front of the White House — showcasing America’s “military strength.” His inspiration for a military parade came after his visit with French president Emmanuel Macron earlier this year, as he visited the country during Bastille Day festivities which tout armed service strength.

6am – C         Hurricane Maria back at Category 5 as it barrels toward Puerto Rico.  (CNN) Hurricane Maria, making its first landfall as a Category 5 storm, has blasted Dominica with “widespread devastation,” according to the prime minister of the Caribbean island nation. With the US territory of Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands now in its path, Maria’s powerful punch diminished slightly to Category 4 after it hit Dominica Monday night, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). But the NHC said Tuesday morning after an Air Force “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft flew into the storm, Maria had reintensified to Category 5 status, with estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. It was moving west-northwest at 9 mph, with that track expected to continue through Wednesday.

6am – D         END OF THE TOY STORE? Toys R Us could file for bankruptcy just weeks before the holiday shopping season. Reports indicate that Toys R Us could be the next retailer to file for bankruptcy. The Wall Street Journal reports that the toy retailer could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the next few weeks, just a few months out from the crucial holiday season. According to the Journal, the chain’s suppliers are hesitant to ship new items before putting money down. The company is facing a debt of $5 billion stemming from a leveraged buyout in 2005. Toys R Us has already received most of its holiday shipments, but could soon be prevented from receiving any additional toys before the shopping season begins.

6am – E         WORST POLITICAL AD EVER? (Fox News) — Democrat Dan Helmer, a candidate for Virginia’s 10th congressional district, released a campaign ad Monday entitled “Helmer Zone” that is being ripped across the board by journalists as one of the “worst ever” political ads. The ad became popular throughout Twitter after Mic reporter Emily Singer flagged it as potentially being “the worst” she’s ever seen. It features candidate Helmer, wearing a shirt with “veteran” on it, and spotting current 10th District Rep. Barbara Comstock (R., Va.) at a bar. The scene is inspired by the classic 1986 Top Gun bar scene and is chalk full of Goose/Maverick references, from The Righteous Brothers’s “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” to “danger zone.” “Bet you can’t get her to hold a town hall,” a woman tells Helmer. “Town hall? I’ll do you one better than that. We’ve lost that loving feeling,” Helmer replies. “No, Dan,” the woman pleads.

6am – F         Safest Bet in Sports: Men Complaining About a Female Announcer’s Voice. (NY Times) — CHICAGO — “Shrill.” “Grating.” “Like listening to my ex nag me.” “Sounds like my mom yelling at me.” Women in sports broadcasting are used to men criticizing their voices. In my three years in sports radio, I’ve had more men complain about my voice than everything else about me combined — and trust me, there are a lot of other things they don’t like about me. “It has nothing to do with you being a woman,” they tell me, “I just can’t stand the sound of your voice.” For someone who gets paid primarily to say sports words on the radio, listeners hating the sound of her voice is somewhat troubling. Even women at the top of our profession aren’t immune. Beth Mowins smashed through the thickest glass ceiling in sports this month, becoming the first woman to call a game on “Monday Night Football.” The moment Mowins spoke a word into her microphone, Twitter lit up with complaints about her voice.

7am – A         Interview – JAMES CARAFANO – Vice President for National Security and Foreign Policy, The Heritage Foundation – previewed PresidentTrump’s speech/meetings at the U.N.

7am – B/C     Laura Ingraham joins Fox News’ prime-time lineup. (Fox News) – Laura Ingraham will host a new weeknight primetime show on FOX News Channel from Washington D.C. starting on Oct. 30 at 10 p.m. ET, with “Hannity” and “The Five” shifting timeslots in the process. “We are delighted to unveil this new primetime schedule for both our current and future generation of loyal FNC fans. Over the last decade, Laura’s extraordinary insight, expertise and strong voice have connected with our viewers across the network’s programming,” FOX News programming President Suzanne Scott said. “We look forward to her providing the audience with her exceptional commentary, engaging insight and spirited debate.” While “The Ingraham Angle” will debut late next month, the other changes to FOX News’ primetime lineup take effect on Sept. 25 when “Hannity” moves to 9 p.m. ET and “The Five” returns to its original home at 5 p.m. ET where it was regularly among the most-watched shows in all of cable news. FNC’s 10 p.m. ET slot will be occupied by a variety of rotating guest hosts until Ingraham’s show launches.

7am – C         Hillary Clinton won’t rule out questioning Trump’s legitimacy, pending Russia probe. Hillary Clinton says she won’t rule out questioning President Donald Trump’s legitimacy depending on what official inquiries uncover about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. But the 2016 Democratic nominee said Monday during an NPR interview that she knows of no constitutional grounds to challenge the actual election results, regardless of what investigators find. Clinton told “Fresh Air” host Terry Gross that “there’s no doubt” Russian propaganda efforts “influenced the election,” and she said she’s sure that Trump’s inner circle communicated with Russian agents during the campaign.  She was asked specifically whether she would rule out questioning the legitimacy of the election if the U.S. learns that Russian interference is deeper than what is known now. Clinton replied, “No, I would not.” She added, however, that she doesn’t “think we have a mechanism” to challenge the results. Clinton’s interview is part of a publicity tour surrounding the release of her campaign memoir, “What Happened,” which looks back at her second failed presidential bid.

7am – D         Interview – DIRK HAIRE – Chairman of the Maryland Republican on the growing field of Democrats lining up to run for MD governor.

7am – E         CHANGES AT THE VIEW:

• Conservative voice Jedediah Bila exits ‘The View’ (Los Angeles Times) — “The View” has lost yet another panelist: Jedediah Bila, the talk show’s lone conservative voice, announced Monday that she will be leaving the ABC talker. “So this is my last day at ‘The View,'” Bila shared, thanking her co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin, whom she described as “friends no matter what.” “I want to thank you because I’m a little eccentric and you put up with me, and this has been just an amazing journey and I appreciate all of you,” Bila said. “And I want to thank the viewers, even the ones that write me the hate tweets. This is what I’m here for. I’m here to shake things up in life and television.”
• Did Jedediah Bila exit ‘The View’ because of Hillary Clinton? (Page Six) — Jedediah Bila shocked audiences when she departed “The View” on Monday — and according to a source, this sudden departure may have something to do with Hillary Clinton. Clinton was on the show last Wednesday promoting her book “What Happened,” with conservative Bila calling her “tone deaf” and asking the former presidential candidate a tough question. “To be fair, it hasn’t just been Republicans who have taken issue with the writing of this book. Some Democrats have come out as well,” Bila said to Clinton. “Former campaign surrogates of yours, former fundraisers and said, ‘This book puts us in the past and we wanna move forward, we wanna figure out where to take this party, how to succeed in the future. And this places us in the past.’ How do you respond to Democrats also coming out in criticism of you writing this?” I think they first should read the book,” Clinton answered.
• Meghan McCain In Talks To Join ‘The View’  (Deadline) — Meghan McCain is eyeing The View. Sources confirm to Deadline that McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, is in talks to join ABC’s daytime talker. CNN was first to report the news. McCain, a columnist, author and blogger, announced late last week that she was leaving Fox News Channel, where she had served as a co-host on Outnumbered and as a contributor. Her decision to leave FNC came not long after her father was diagnosed with glioblastoma, which he described as an aggressive brain cancer. As for her political views, Meghan McCain has described herself as a Republican “who is liberal on social issues.”

8am – A         Protesters call out Pelosi over Trump DACA deal. (Fox News) — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi got an earful on Monday after protesters in San Francisco angrily confronted her for striking a tentative deal with President Trump over a program to extend legal protections to young undocumented immigrants. A group of protesters shouted “you’re a liar” at the California Democrat. The pop-up protest lasted more than 30 minutes and ended with a visibly shaken Pelosi cutting her scheduled news conference short. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Pelosi told the group. “It’s clear you don’t want any answers.” At one point, she said, “Just stop it.” As she left the event, she told reporters, “(Protesters) don’t want the Dream Act.”

California lawmakers on Saturday passed a “sanctuary state” bill to protect immigrants without legal residency in the U.S., part of a broader push by Democrats to counter expanded deportation orders under the Trump administration. The legislation by Sen. Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), the most far-reaching of its kind in the country, would limit state and local law enforcement communication with federal immigration authorities, and prevent officers from questioning and holding people on immigration violations.

8am – B         Interview – JIM GERAGHTY – National Review – preview VA gubernatorial debate tonight

• A new poll shows a very tight race for governor in Virginia. Northam, Gillespie locked in tight race for Virginia governor. WASHINGTON — Two new polls show a very tight race for governor in Virginia. One poll by the University of Mary Washington gave Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam a 5-point lead over Republican Ed Gillespie, with 44 percent of likely voters favoring Northam compared to 39 percent backing Gillespie, according to the statewide poll of likely voters conducted between Sept. 5 through 12. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.2 percentage points. Libertarian candidate Cliff Hyra has the support of 3 percent of likely voters, with others undecided in the 1,000-person survey of Virginia adults.
• Gubernatorial election debate broadcast live Tuesday night. Two of the three candidates for governor in the Nov. 7 election will face off Tuesday night in a debate being broadcast across Virginia. Republican Ed Gillespie and Democrat Ralph Northam are scheduled to answer questions from journalists and a government and politics expert in a one-hour forum to be broadcast live at 7 p.m. on NBC affiliates statewide, including WAVY-TV in Hampton Roads. Missing will be Cliff Hyra, the Libertarian candidate , who was not invited. Hyra, a patent attorney, was excluded because the debate has traditionally been limited to candidates from the two major parties, said Alex Thompson, spokeswoman for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which is co-sponsoring the event with George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. The debate, moderated by NBC “Meet The Press” host Chuck Todd, also will be livestreamed at NBCWashington.com It will be the second debate between Northam, Virginia’s lieutenant governor, and Gillespie, a communications consultant long active in Republican politics. Their first was July 22 before the Virginia Bar Association.
• Geraghty: The Difficulty in Finding True Northam. (by Jim Geraghty) — We haven’t had a new poll in the Virginia governor’s race in about three weeks, and campaign commercials are starting to pop up more frequently on the local television airwaves. In a dramatic change from last cycle, when wealthy Democrat Terry McAuliffe outspent Republican Ken Cuccinelli two to one, this year Republican Ed Gillespie is spending more — $1.7 million compared to Democrat Ralph Northam’s $1.1 million. The Washington Post notices that a Northam ad tells viewers to go online and check out his tax plan… without, you know, actually having a tax plan on his web site.  There is no detailed tax plan on Northam’s campaign website, aside from his call to lower grocery taxes for poor people and to create a bipartisan tax panel. What’s more, Northam’s campaign said in April it would release a set of “guiding principles” on tax reform within a week. It never did, and a reference to that promise to voters was removed from the campaign’s website — until a reporter pointed it out.

8am – D         INTERVIEW – LARRY KUDLOW – CNBC Senior Contributor and host of The Larry Kudlow Show on WMAL Saturdays at 7 pm and author of “JFK and the Reagan Revolution: A Secret History of American Prosperity”

• Federal Reserve widely expected to hold interest rates steady this week
• Conservatives Push for Tax Reform in 2017. (Daily Signal) — As the end of the year nears, some conservative organizations are pushing for tax reform. On Sept. 14, Americans for Prosperity, along with 87 other right-leaning activists and organizations, sent a letter to “the Big Six” negotiators in the federal government, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. In the letter, the groups urge members of Congress and the Trump administration to pass a “comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform in 2017.”
• Republicans Demand Another Vote to Repeal the Affordable Care Act
• It’s official: Senate Finance Cmte will hold a hearing on Graham-Cassidy next Monday at 10am (5 days before Sept 30th deadline):
• Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are all signaling that they might vote against their party’s latest proposal to repeal Obamacare.
• McCain blasts latest ObamaCare repeal process
• Murkowski still studying new ObamaCare repeal bill
• Collins skeptical of new ObamaCare repeal effort
• Sen. Rand Paul: Graham/Cassidy does NOT repeal ObamaCare and I oppose it — “Obamacare Lite”

8am – E         Trump Will Present His ‘America First’ Worldview At UN Address, WH Official Says. President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday to the United Nations General Assembly will be the “embodiment” of the “America First” worldview he presented on the campaign and in speeches since, a senior White House official told reporters Monday.     Trump’s speech Tuesday will be his first time addressing the U.N. and the White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the president “spent an enormous amount of time crafting” and “fine-tuning his address.”     The president’s anti-globalist stance is a departure from his predecessor. During his last address to the U.N General Assembly, President Obama admitted there were problems with a “collision of cultures” that globalism has caused, but urged nations to embrace internationalization.     The senior White House official said that Trump won’t appeal to a “top down model of global bureaucracy” but instead will champion the nation-state. Trump will encourage burden sharing with global issues, the official said. Some of these issues the official said Trump will mention are North Korea’s growing missile program, Iran’s alleged destabilizing efforts, the instability in Venezuela, and terrorism.

Donald J. Trump‏ @realDonaldTrump 1h1 hour ago: Big day at the United Nations – many good things, and some tricky ones, happening. We have a great team. Big speech at 10:00 A.M. 4,717 replies 4,580 retweets 20,699 likes