RealClearPolitics Podcast Government Shutdown Day 2
8 snips
Oct 2, 2025 Phil Wegmann, White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics, joins the conversation to analyze the government's second day of shutdown and Trump's controversial agreement with Harvard. The discussion dives into the role of memes in political discourse and their impact on communication. The hosts debate healthcare for undocumented immigrants and explore Scott Bessent's take on the New York mayoral race, including Andrew Cuomo's innovative AI ad. Wegmann also shares insights on how Harvard's proposed reforms could reshape higher education.
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Healthcare Cuts And The Shutdown Root Cause
- The shutdown fight centers on restoring pandemic/ACA subsidies and reversing Medicaid cuts, which may indirectly fund care for undocumented residents.
- Republicans argue some restored funds would reach noncitizens, while Democrats emphasize broader subsidy and Medicaid policy aims.
Clawbacks, Media Spin, And The Real Debate
- Carl Cannon argues Democrats are obfuscating a claw-back of prior budget provisions and the media often accepts their denials without nuance.
- He says the real debate should be whether the U.S. should fund healthcare for people here illegally, not name-calling about truthfulness.
Talk Honestly To Win Support
- Speak honestly and compassionately about immigration and healthcare to win public sympathy, Carl argues.
- Frame the policy as moral and practical, focusing on children and emergency care rather than partisan labels.