Rational Radio Daily with Steele and Ungar

Latest Episodes:

"This is going to be a tough next year for Republicans." Dec 21, 2017

Show notes

Daniel Lippman, a co-author of Politico's 'Playbook' newsletter, jumped on with Rick and Michael to discuss Congress' mad scramble to prevent a government shutdown. Lippman joked that its almost like members of Congress are trying to ruin the Christmas holiday for reporters. He noted that Democrats are unlikely to try and force a shutdown because they don't want to do anything that will tarnish their brand going into 2018 and the crucial midterms. Romina Boccia of The Heritage Foundation joined the guys to talk about some of the positive aspects of the GOP's tax plan.

"There's no reason we should ever have gotten to this point, but here we are." Dec 20, 2017

Show notes

When the clock strikes midnight on Friday, December 22, the United States government will run out of money. Congress has three more days to settle government funding for 2018 and beyond, fund the CHIP program, address the unstable Obamacare markets, try to work on a deal for the Dreamers, and pass a final tax bill. Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Ky. 03), the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, discusses how Congress plans to avoid the looming government shutdown and shares his thoughts on the House's tax bill. Michael Steele and Rick Ungar debate how Congress will attempt to complete its “to-do” list.

"'Divorced from reality' could almost be the president's middle name." Dec 19, 2017

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President Trump outlined his national security strategy today in a speech at the White House. The president emphasized the four pillars of his new security initiative: border security, the role of economic security in national security considerations, an emphasis on "peace through strength", and the need to rebuild America's international influence. Career counterintelligence officer and MSNBC contributor Malcolm Nance shares his thoughts on the president's strategy. Stephen Shay, a former deputy assistant secretary in the Department of the Treasury, explains what's in the GOP's tax bill.

"This is not a vendetta. This is about news!" Dec 16, 2017

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Omarosa Manigault-Newman, former director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison in the Trump White House, appeared on Good Morning America earlier this week in an attempt to set the record straight on the reports of her removal from the White House. April Ryan, White House correspondent and Washington bureau chief for American Urban Radio Networks, was one of the first to break the story. Ms. Ryan talks to Michael and Rick about breaking the story and how it reflects her M.O. as a journalist who doggedly pursues the truth. Michael Tomasky, special correspondent for the Daily Beast and op-ed contributor for the New York Times, discusses his latest piece on the history of the GOP’s “legislative lemons".

"We have left the American public more vulnerable." Dec 15, 2017

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The FCC repealed the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules today in a 3-2 vote along party lines. Many fear that internet service providers will now be able to throttle bandwidth speeds, charge for better access and prevent smaller businesses from competing in the online marketplace. Democratic FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn talks about how the vote will affect you. Michael Steele and Rick Ungar discuss the renewed GOP civil war between Steve Bannon's populist wing and the Republican establishment under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"By default, a Republican should win a federal election in Alabama." Dec 13, 2017

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The polls have closed in Alabama. Will Democratic candidate Doug Jones be able pull off the upset against Republican Roy Moore in one of the deepest and most consistently Republican states in the country? Jim Antle, politics editor of the Washington Examiner, shares his thoughts on the first exit poll numbers and the end of this dramatic race for Alabama’s Senate seat. Lori Garver, former deputy administrator of NASA under President Obama, talks about President Trump’s new Space Policy Directive.

"President Trump has pushed out the envelope of what presidential behavior is." Dec 12, 2017

Show notes

This past weekend, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, weighed in on the sexual misconduct allegations against President Trump, saying , “I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.” The president and his administration has continued to deny the validity of the claims made by 16 women. 'Today' host Megyn Kelly spoke with three of President Trump’s accusers on her show, giving the women a platform in our nation's ongoing dialogue on sexual misconduct. Reed Galen, chief strategist for the Serve America Movement, joined Rick Ungar to discuss the potential political implications of this story staying in the news. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik shared his thoughts on the rulings in two police shooting cases and the attempted Times Square terror attack.

"Going forward, American politics will never be the same." Dec 08, 2017

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ellis Henican covered Donald Trump for decades as a member of the New York media. He has seen many facets of Donald J. Trump: the real estate developer, the tabloid icon, the New York socialite, the politician and, finally, the President of the United States. Henican talks with Michael and Rick about his new book, “Trumpitude: The Secret Confessions of Donald's Brain”. The guys also discuss the recent push by conservative media and politicians to discredit the FBI and special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

"We are seeing the battle for the future of the Republican Party here." Dec 07, 2017

Show notes

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon unleashed a series of insults against Mitt Romney and his family Tuesday night in Alabama at a rally for Roy Moore. Bannon responded to Romney’s assertions that Moore has “no honor or integrity” by citing the Romneys' lack of military service in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. Evan McMullin, former independent presidential candidate and CIA officer, weighed in on Bannon’s attacks on Romney and how it reflects the larger battle over the soul of the Republican Party. Yousef Munayyer, non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, discussed the potential diplomatic consequences of President Trump’s decision to declare Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel.

"To me, it is politically, strategically a mistake on their part." Dec 06, 2017

Show notes

Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-Pa. 13) joined Michael and Rick to discuss the debates on the tax bill and continuing resolution taking place in the House. Bruce Japsen of Forbes jumps on to break down CVS' multi-billion dollar acquisition of Aetna and how that move will impact the healthcare industry and, most importantly, consumers.