3 Martini Lunch

Join Jim and Greg as they assess a high-ranking former New York government official getting charged with spying for China, Tucker Carlson platforming an "historian" pushing insane ideas about World War II, and the 'Reagan' movie.First, they shake their heads as the former Deputy Chief of Staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is charged with spying on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They also roll their eyes that Hochul is shocked that the CCP would do such a thing, but they do appreciate her referring to Taiwan as a country.Next, they unload on Tucker Carlson for hosting a long, nonconfrontational interview with an "historian" who contends that Winston Churchill is the "chief villain" of World War II and that the Holocaust was simply the response to the Nazis capturing so many Russian prisoners who would have otherwise starved to death. Finally, they offer their reviews of "Reagan," the new film depicting Reagan's lifelong crusade against Soviet communism from Hollywood to the Oval Office. And while they both offer some constructive criticism, they both see the film as a good account of how Reagan viewed the communist threat and how he successfully dealt with it.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg for three lousy martinis that all have a strong crazy streak too. After Greg recaps his visit to the Calvin Coolidge presidential site in Vermont, they condemn Hamas for murdering  hostages as well as the Biden administration's reaction. They also shudder as illegals are comprising a huge percentage of arrests in New York City but the laws are working against the law-abiding public. And they tear apart a New York Times column for saying the Constitution may be a threat to our politics.First, they recoil at Hamas murdering six hostages, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. But they're also staggered that the immediate media and Biden administration reaction is to put more pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut a deal with the bloodthirsty terrorists who orchestrated the October 7th attacks and just slaughtered several innocent people.Next, they fume as police sources in New York report that 75 percent of assault, robbery, and domestic violence arrests in Midtown Manhattan are of illegal immigrants, and they estimate the number to be 60 percent in Queens. If that weren't bad enough, they explain how sanctuary city laws mean the perpetrators are often freed and officers can't check their legal status or work with Immigration & Customs Enforcement.Finally, they shake their heads as a New York Times column suggests the Constitution is a threat to our politics because of undemocratic aspects like the Electoral College and small states getting the same number of senators as larger states. Oh, and they they say the originalist bent of the current Supreme Court is a problem because the justices dare to seek out what the Founding Fathers meant when they wrote the Constitution.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

As America pauses for Labor Day, Jim and Greg welcome in highly respected presidential historian Tevi Troy of the Bipartisan Policy Center. His latest book is "The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry." Tevi is also a huge fan of "Die Hard," so you know they won't miss a chance to talk about that!They begin by noting that Troy is well known for being the historian pouring cold water on politicians and their supporters, who are frequently and loudly insisting that whatever they are upset about is unprecedented and proof that the other side is on the brink of ruining the nation. Tevi says that over 235 years of the presidency we've seen a lot, and the people pulling their hair out don't know their history and are often substituting politics for religion.Next, they dig into Troy's book, "The Power and the Money" and how in the span of 150 years, America went from a posture of government and business being completely separate to now being very closely intertwined and impacting our lives regularly. They explore who deserves a lot of the blame for that disturbing evolution and which historical examples best inform of us of today's nexus between business and politics.Finally, as promised, they close out their discussion with a deep dive into "Die Hard," exploring why it remains a cultural phenomenon and what separate it from other great action movies. And they reflect on how it portrays institutions like the government and the media.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Jim and Greg are getting an early start on Labor Day weekend, so their assessment of the Kamala Harris CNN interview will have to wait for another day. Instead, they examine the state of both campaigns and what the long term impact of the DNC switching candidates will be on future election cycles.First, they look at the Trump campaign and the massive opportunity and challenge facing the Trump-Vance ticket. They stress that Trump has a huge advantage if he stays on message about the disaster that has unfolded on the watch of both Harris and president Biden. From the border to inflation to an unstable world to the left's radical cultural agenda, the path to victory is right there. But can Trump stay disciplined enough to focus on that all the way to the finish line?Next, they examine the Harris campaign and it's ongoing effort to make this an election about history and momentum rather than anything substantive. So far Harris has abandoned more positions than she has established in this campaign, and Democrats are actively encouraging her not to get more specific in order to attract more voters. Can this empty approach actually work?Finally, they consider how the Dems' swapping out Biden for Harris might impact future election cycles. There is clearly an advantage to avoid a grueling two-year campaign and making a three-month sprint to Election Day. So will we see shorter primary seasons or some other new approach as the parties seek the upper hand?Please visit out great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg for what Jim is describing as the "we told you so" edition of 3 Martini Lunch! Today, they discuss a new poll showing Kari Lake getting crushed in the Arizona U.S. Senate race, the public disappearance of President Biden, and a report showing Biden overruled his advisers in insisting upon the ill-fated Gaza pier.First, they sigh as a new Fox News poll shows far-left Rep. Ruben Gallego leading Republican Kari Lake by 15 points in the Arizona Senate race. Even if the poll is a bit of an outlier, other surveys show Lake trailing by high single digits. The GOP should be able to field very competitive candidates in Arizona, but Kari Lake is not one of them.Next, they wonder whatever happened to the guy who is apparently still the president. Biden seems to be in the witness protection program since dropping out of the presidential race, with the exception of his late night convention speech. So is he actually on the job?Finally, they shake their heads as an inspector general's report shows that USAID officials tried to convince Biden not to construct the Gaza pier because even small waves would render it useless. But Biden rejected their advice and went forward with the operation anyway.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg as they discuss what to expect from Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and Dana Bash now that Harris is finally agreeing to an interview. They also weigh in on Democrats and environmentalists ignoring a massive oil spill in the Red Sea caused by Iranian proxies and Politico being horrified that JD Vance is connecting Harris to the performance of the Biden administration.First, Jim is glad to see Harris finally agree to any interview after 37 days of ducking formal, on-camera interviews and press conferences. He and Greg also consider how CNN's Dana Bash will approach the event and which questions need to be asked.Next, they scratch their heads as the Biden administration, national Democrats and prominent environmental groups remain awfully quiet after the Iran-backed Houthis attacked an oil tanker in the Red Sea, triggering an exponentially bigger spill than the Exxon Valdez suffered back in 1989.Finally, they hammer Politico for reporting that GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance "tries to tether Harris to Biden during Michigan rally." Uh, she's the sitting Vice President of the United States. And Jim and Greg remark on how the media and the left are trying to convince Americans that Harris has no political past or involvement in the very unpopular policies of the Biden presidency.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg as they squeeze four stories into today's podcast, from the DNC's absurd efforts to undermine democracy in Wisconsin to Mark Zuckerberg admitting the FBI, the White House and other federal entities pressured him over online speech and from Kamala Harris tacitly backing a border wall to the return of repression and terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan.Before the official martinis, they highlight how Democrats are trying to limit voters' options ahead of the presidential election. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has thankfully dismissed a lawsuit trying to kick the Green Party's Jill Stein off the ballot in the Badger State. And it has to be one of the dumbest arguments for removing a candidate that we've ever heard.Then, they react to Meta's Mark Zuckerberg admitting to House Republicans that the Biden administration urged him to censor COVID-19 content on Facebook, including humor and satire. And the FBI pre-emptively told him to be on the lookout for "Russian disinformation" about the Biden family and Burisma, so he was predisposed to spike the story of the Hunter Biden laptop when it was reported in the NY Post.Next, they assess an Axios story that suggests Kamala Harris has flip-flopped again, this time embracing a border wall since she's on the record backing the Senate immigration bill. This change in policy is not something her staffers have announced, but it's another sign she is running to the middle despite her long radical record - and its happening while Democrats are planning a very progressive agenda in Congress with her full blessing.Finally, they wince as the Taliban reimpose some of the most repressive policies against women just as we mark three years since the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan. Jim also points out terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, are thriving there again. And all of it happening with your tax dollars.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg as they serve up two good martinis and a definite bad one as they note RFK Jr.'s strong case for how Democrats trampled all over democracy in this election cycle, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton refusing to let ABC News promote a false pro-Kamala narrative, and Donald Trump trying to cozy up to the pro-abortion crowd.First, they discuss Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropping off the ballot in ten competitive states and endorsing Donald Trump. And while there is plenty to be skeptical about with respect to Kennedy, he delivered a strong indictment of the Democrats for squashing any attempt to challenge Joe Biden for the party nomination and keeping Kennedy and other candidates off the ballot for the general election.Next, they applaud Sen. Cotton for his masterful rejection of Harris talking points coming from Jonathan Karl of ABC News. As Cotton pointed out radical Harris positions from the 2020 campaign, like abolishing private health insurance, Karl interjected to say Harris no longer holds that position. Cotton refused to let Karl (or Harris) get away with that.Finally, they fume as Trump vows on social media that "my administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights." After scoring the biggest pro-life win in half a century, Trump is focusing on trying to coax some pro-abortion voters to his side while just assuming pro-life voters won't care and will show up for him as strongly as ever.Please visit our great sponsors:Zbioticshttps://zbiotics.com/3MLUse code 3ML at checkout to save 15% off your first order.

Join Jim and Greg as they react to Kamala Harris accepting the Democratic nomination on Thursday night. They examine her promise to be a president who will always put country over party, her vow to create an economy of opportunity, and her approach to the Middle East and other national security issues.First, they note how the Harris campaign is trying to replay the Obama strategy of staying vague on policy and denouncing the intense political rancor and division that she has been aggressively inflaming for the past eight years. The problem for Harris is that her record of far-left policies and partisan rhetoric is far more extensive than Obama's was in 2008.Next, they contrast Kamala's call for an "economic opportunity" agenda with her many earlier statements about the need for equity and "equal outcomes." They also mention her disingenuous stance on immigration and the border crisis and explain how one aspect of Thursday's convention story is a perfect metaphor for the left's rhetoric vs. the left's actions.Finally, they dig into Harris speaking on the Middle East crisis, as she delivered the most intense administration denunciation of the Hamas terrorist attacks in months - and then turned around and insisted there needs to be a Palestinian state.

Join Jim and Greg as they discuss the third night of the Democratic National Convention and more. They comment on Bill Clinton's decline, the fictional Tim Walz highlighted at the DNC vs. the one with a real & disturbing record as governor, the Dems projecting the fantasy that they are the party of freedom, and Biden's commerce secretary giving a bizarre reaction to a lousy jobs report.First, after commenting on Clinton's speech that was underwhelming and way too long, they dissect the "strikingly shameless" portrayal of Tim Walz as an everyman and good neighbor instead of the far left politician who coddled rioters, threatened anyone reluctant to take a Covid vaccine, added a Covid snitch line, and has had a cozy relationship with China for decades.Next, they shake their heads as Democrat after Democrat pretended that they are the party of freedom and that Republicans are the party of federal intrusion into our lives. And yet, there's only a couple of "freedoms" that they really care about and got repeated over and over Wednesday night.Finally, they laugh as Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo accuses Donald Trump of issuing the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report showing the government overestimated the number of jobs created over the past year by 818,000. When confronted with the truth, Raimondo claimed she was not aware of the report.