The Takeout with Major Garrett

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Caucus of One: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) May 19, 2023

Show notes

Much has been made in recent weeks about the House GOP's 'five families' and Speaker Kevin McCarthy's efforts to unite these five ideologically-diverse caucuses in effort to strike a deal with the Biden White House on raising the debt ceiling. South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace recognizes how difficult it is for McCarthy to navigate the demands from each of the five factions, but she's content operating as a 'caucus of one,' an 'independent voice' marching to beat of her own drum.

So, she has her own opinions on the debt ceiling negotiations ("it's been both parties that got us into this"), abortion ("you have [GOP members] that don't want to talk about birth control...which is crazy and scary at the same time") and her embattled House Republican colleague ("I want to see George Santos removed from Congress").

We cover a lot of ground in this episode - don't miss Mace's takes on TikTok, ChatGPT and Elon Musk's Twitter.

This conversation was recorded inside the South Carolina congresswoman's office on Capitol Hill on May 18, 2023.

The End of Title 42: Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) May 12, 2023

Show notes

The state of Arizona is anticipating an influx of migrants seeking aslyum at the U.S. southern border following the expiration of Title 42 on Thursday, May 11. Just days prior to the end of the Trump-era public health restrictions, Major sat down with Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs to discuss her plans for addressing the fallout. Hobbs says, "there's a lot of frustration across the board that Washington isn't doing enough and taking this seriously enough."

Asked whether she's "excited" about a Biden reelection campaign, the Democratic governor made it clear she's not yet ready to weigh in on the 2024 presidential election.

And for our Arizona listeners, yes, we talked tamales. Hobbs recently vetoed a bill that would have expanded the law allowing street vendors to sell perishable homemade goods like the traditional corn-based Mexican dish.

This conversation was recorded on May 5, 2023 at the McCain Institute's 10th Annual Sedona Forum in Sedona, Arizona.

Why Asa Hutchinson isn’t scared of Trump, Biden, or impossible odds May 09, 2023

Show notes

This week, we're offering our listeners 'a taste' of a podcast hosted by a friend of The Takeout, POLITICO's chief Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza!

If you talk to Democratic strategists about the 2024 presidential election, there is a certain type of Republican nominee who they fear: Someone who knows how to speak in the language of inclusion; who can discuss abortion and guns without alienating suburban voters; who stands up to the GOP on some of the most fraught issues of the culture wars; who can argue that he or she has almost as much government experience as Joe Biden himself, but is still younger; who handled the pandemic in their state in a way that avoided some of the most unpopular decisions of both Democrats and Republicans; and who spends a lot of their time explaining to Republicans why they should leave Donald Trump in the past.

Asa Hutchinson — who sounds an awful lot like that imaginary candidate that Democrats fear — is here on Playbook Deep Dive this week to tell us why you shouldn’t count him out.

Hutchinson got his start in politics as a U.S. attorney during the Reagan Revolution, when his home state of Arkansas was still run by Democrats. He served two terms as governor and shortly after stepping down this year, he announced he’s running for president.

If there’s one thing that makes him stand out so far, it’s that he’s willing to say things about Trump that other Republicans aren’t. Hutchinson recently wrote that the former President “has led us astray,” “undermined the fabric of our democracy,” and is emblematic of bad leaders who are, “focused only on themselves or on settling scores with political opponents.”

In this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, host Ryan Lizza speaks with the former Arkansas governor after his first official trip to Iowa. He opens up about why he’s running, how he thinks he can take down Trump, and why his record – which is among the most conservative in America – is full of surprises.

Subscribe to Playbook Deep Dive for the stories behind power, brought to you by host & Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playbook-deep-dive/id1111319839

The Great Money Reset: CBS News' Jill Schlesinger May 05, 2023

Show notes

It was a dizzying week in financial news: the Federal Reserve raised interest rates, the U.S. experienced its second biggest bank collapse ever and President Biden and congressional leaders agreed to meet next week to find a way forward on the debt ceiling. What does it all mean? What’s the state of the post-pandemic economy? We’ve got CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger to explain it all and tell us about her new book, “The Great Money Reset.” We’re at Junior’s in Times Square. Join us!

Live from The White House Correspondents’ Dinner May 01, 2023

Show notes

Saturday night luminaries from politics, media and Hollywood came together for the annual White House Correspondents' dinner in Washington. We joined forces with POLITICO Playbook Deep Dive's Ryan Lizza at the CBS News-POLITICO pre-reception to bring you interviews with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), 2024 GOP presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson, CBS News Radio's Steven Portnoy, NY Mag's Olivia Nuzzi, comedians Roy Wood Jr. and Matt Friend, Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and CBS News' Nancy Cordes. This originally aired live on SiriusXM.

Political Impressionist: Comedian Matt Friend Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

This week, Major's guests include Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley, Ron Desantis and Bernie Sanders. Okay, not exactly.

Comedian Matt Friend joins Major for a buffet of hilarious impressions at Unconventional Diner in Washington, DC.

Don't attempt to eat or drink while listening. You might choke from laughing too hard.

You can find @TheMattFriend on Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram or go to his website, mattfriend.com.

Roy Wood Jr. Goes to Washington Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

Don't miss this one. Daily Show correspondent and comedian Roy Wood, Jr. is Major's guest this week at Monterey Brasserie in Midtown Manhattan. Wood, Jr. will be the featured comedian at this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 29th. Join us for a thoughtful - and hilarious - conversation on his approach to doing comedy at the dinner, cancel culture, guest hosting The Daily Show and the state of politics in 2023.

Inside Baseball: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

Major visits Major League Baseball headquarters in New York City for a conversation with the boss, commissioner Rob Manfred. On the menu: baseball’s new in-game rule changes, the fate of regional sports networks that broadcast games, betting in baseball and which markets could get a team next. Join us!

History of the World, Part II: Actor Jay Ellis and Showrunner Dave Stassen Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

Mel Brooks’s classic comedy “History of the World, Part I” debuted more than 40 years ago - and there was never supposed to be a part II. Until now. Major sits down with actor Jay Ellis and showrunner Dave Stassen, part of the star-studded ensemble that brought “History of the World, Part II” to Hulu earlier this year. Join us for a hilarious conversation about how the show came to be a generation after the movie premiered.

South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-at large) Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

America has been touched by yet another mass shooting - this time in Nashville, TN. South Dakota Republican joins Major to share his legislative ideas for making these tragic events less common. Johnson also weighs in on Donald Trump’s 2024 prospects and explains why he believes the debt ceiling debate is nearing crisis territory. Recorded Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at The Dubliner near Capitol Hill.