Mornings on the Mall 10.03.18

Cal Thomas, Tom Fitton and Washington Post’s Fenit Nirappil joined WMAL on Wednesday!

Mornings on the Mall

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Hosts: Mary Walter and Vince Coglianese

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

5am – A/B/C Donald Trump Jr. tells DailyMailTV in first-ever joint interview with Kimberly Guilfoyle that sexual assault claims make him more scared for his SONS than his daughters following he-said she-said Kavanaugh controversy. Donald Trump Jr. says that in an age when lives can be ruined on both sides of he-said, she-said sexual misconduct claims, he fears more for his sons than for his daughters. ‘I mean, right now, I’d say my sons,’ the father of five told DailyMailTV during a campaign swing to support Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale. His and Kimberly Guilfoyle’s first ever joint interview will air in two parts, Monday and Tuesday, only on DailyMailTV. ‘I’ve got boys, and I’ve got girls. And when I see what’s going on right now, it’s scary,’ he said in his first-ever joint interview on camera with girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle.

President Trump: “This is a very scary time for young men in America.”

5am – D OTHER SCOTUS DRINKERS

• JUSTICE BREYER WAS ARRESTED FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING: The Washington Post paid little attention to the fact that Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer was arrested as a student at Stanford University for underage drinking in a profile of him in 1994.
• RBG WAS DRUNK AT SOTU IN 2015: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg blames falling asleep at this year’s State of the Union address on not being “100 percent sober.” “The audience, for the most part, is awake because they are bobbing up and down and we sit there, stone faced,” Ginsburg said Thursday during an event hosted by The Smithsonian Associates in Washington, D.C., according to CNN. She continued, “But we’re not, at least I was not, 100 percent sober.”

5am – E Ricin is sent to TRUMP: Third envelope containing poison is intercepted before making it to the White House and believed to be linked to two others mailed to the Pentagon. A third envelope was reported by the Secret Service as being intercepted before arriving at the White House The first two envelopes were addressed to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and to Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson. The packages were intercepted at a mail facility nearby which is not inside the Pentagon. They were sent to the FBI on Tuesday and all other mail was put under quarantine. It remains unclear who sent them or whether any government workers were exposed to the toxin. Ricin can be extracted from castor beans and turned into powder, acid, mist or pellets. Two people were also hospitalized on Tuesday after a white powder was sent to Sen. Ted Cruz’s Houston campaign office.

6am – A/B/C LATEST ON KAVANAUGH:

• FBI INVESTIGATION OF KAVANAUGH WRAPPING UP? – The FBI may wrap up its investigation into misconduct accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as soon as late Wednesday, a source tells FOX News, potentially clearing the way for a final Senate vote on his confirmation within days …
• Ex-boyfriend pokes holes in Christine Blasey Ford’s story: CHRISTINE FORD’S HONESTY QUESTIONED: In a letter released Tuesday and obtained by FOX News, an ex-boyfriend of Christine Blasey Ford seemingly contradicts her testimony under oath last week that she had never helped anyone prepare for a polygraph examination … The former boyfriend, whose name was redacted, also said Ford neither mentioned Kavanaugh nor said she was a victim of sexual misconduct during the time they were dating from about 1992 to 1998. He said he saw Ford helping a woman he believed was her “life-long best friend” prepare for a potential polygraph test. He added that the woman had been interviewing for jobs with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office. Under questioning from sex-crimes prosecutor Rachel Mitchell last week, Ford said that she had “never” had “any discussions with anyone … on how to take a polygraph” or “given any tips or advice to anyone who was looking to take a polygraph test.” In a letter Tuesday evening that referenced the ex-boyfriend’s declaration, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley demanded that attorneys for Ford turn over her therapist’s notes and other key materials, and suggested she was intentionally less than truthful about her experience with polygraph examinations during Thursday’s dramatic Senate hearing. The doubts about Ford’s testimony surface as another Kavanaugh accuser, Julie Swetnick – who has made lurid, uncorroborated sexual assault allegations about the Supreme Court nominee – faces growing questions about her own credibility.
• 3 WITNESSES INTERVIEWED BY FBI DON’T REMEMBER PARTY: The FBI has talked to alleged party guests Patrick J. Smyth, Mark Judge and Leland Keyser and Kavanaugh’s Yale classmate Deborah Ramirez, who said that Kavanaugh had exposed himself to her during their college years, according to WaPo. “[Smyth] truthfully answered every question the FBI asked him and, consistent with the information he previously provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee, he indicated that he has no knowledge of the small party or gathering described by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, nor does he have any knowledge of the allegations of improper conduct she has leveled against Brett Kavanaugh,” Smyth’s lawyer Eric B. Bruce said in a statement, according to WaPo.
• FBI COMPLETES JUDGE INTERVIEW: Judge’s lawyer, Barbara Van Gelder, told CNN that the FBI completed its interview with Judge, whom Ford says was in the room when she was allegedly physically and sexually assaulted in the 1980s by Kavanaugh.
• SWETNICK’S FORMER BOYFRIEND SPEAKS: The former boyfriend of the third woman who accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct said that she never mentioned being assaulted by Kavanaugh during their seven-year relationship. Richard Vinneccy made the comments in an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Monday night. Politico reported last week that Vinneccy filed for a restraining order against Swetnick back in 2001. According to the article, Swetnick threatened him after they broke up and after he got engaged to another woman. Even when Vinneccy’s fiancee was pregnant, Swetnick’s threats continued, he said, leading to him seek the order. “Did she ever discuss with you during your seven-year relationship … the issue of sexual assault or did she mention ever having been sexually assaulted?” Ingraham asked. “Never, never once she mentioned that to me,” he replied. “And we used to talk about just about everything, and she never once mentioned that to me.”

6am – D INTERVIEW – CAL THOMAS – Syndicate columnist – weighed in on the Kavanaugh drama.

6am – E SENATE VOTE / FBI REPORT:

• FBI Kavanaugh probe could end Wednesday: FBI INVESTIGATION OF KAVANAUGH WRAPPING UP? – The FBI may wrap up its investigation into misconduct accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as soon as late Wednesday, a source tells FOX News, potentially clearing the way for a final Senate vote on his confirmation within days … If the FBI’s report is indeed delivered to the White House on Wednesday, FOX News expects a vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation could come as soon as Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., must first satisfy a number of procedural and parliamentary hurdles before a vote can be held, including filing a cloture petition (which must remain pending for a full day) in order to formally end debate on Kavanaugh’s nomination. McConnell has vowed to hold a vote by the end of the week. Republicans command a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, giving them little margin for error.
• SENATE VOTE: Senate Majority Leader McConnell on Kavanaugh nomination: “We’ll get an FBI report soon. It’ll be made available to each senator, and only senators will be allowed to look at it … and we’ll be voting this week.”
• FBI REPORT: FEINSTEIN AND SCHUMER AT ODDS OVER WHETHER TO RELEASE FBI REPORT: Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Chuck Schumer of New York announced differing opinions Tuesday on whether or not to release the FBI report on the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for the release of the White House’s directive to the FBI, a full briefing on the FBI’s findings and the public release of the FBI report prior to a vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation. “There is a growing consensus in the Senate that when the FBI’s investigation is complete, the findings should be released publicly with any personal information redacted,” Schumer said, standing aside Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, as well as Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both of Illinois. Around the same time, Feinstein, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, indicated the FBI report should not be made public. “It would seem to me that if people are going to be identified, this ought to be held very close and not [be made public],” Feinstein reportedly said, according to a CNN journalist.

6am – F TRUMP MOCKS FORD AT RALLY:

• ‘I don’t remember’ – Trump mocks Christine Blasey Ford: President Trump has mocked the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at a rally in the state of Mississippi. “What neighbourhood was it in? I don’t know,” Mr Trump said at the rally. “Where’s the house? I don’t know. Upstairs, downstairs, where I was. I don’t know. But I had one beer. That’s the only thing I remember. And a man’s life is in tatters.”
• Ford’s attorney on Trump mocking client: “Is it any wonder that she was terrified to come forward?” An attorney representing Christine Blasey Ford fired back at President Trump on Tuesday after the president mocked Ford’s testimony concerning her allegation of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Michael Bromwich, who sat beside Ford and her other attorney at last Thursday’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, called the president a “profile in cowardice” Tuesday night after Trump took aim at Ford during a rally in Mississippi. “A vicious, vile and soulless attack on Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Is it any wonder that she was terrified to come forward, and that other sexual assault survivors are as well?” Bromwich asked Tuesday. “She is a remarkable profile in courage. He is a profile in cowardice,” the attorney added.

7am – A HILLARY’S HILARIOUS POLITICAL ANALYSIS:

• Hillary Clinton spoke before an audience at The Atlantic Festival on Tuesday
• HILLARY CLINTON tries to explain why Trump supporters support Trump
• Montage: Hillary now wants to believe female accusers
• Hillary is concerned about Kavanaugh’s temperament
• Hillary: I found Ford to be very credible

7am – B CASSIDY’S NON-FLAKE RESPONSE: ANTI-KAVANAUGH PROTESTER CONFRONTS GOP SENATOR – HE PUSHES BACK. (Daily Caller) — Anti-Brett Kavanaugh protesters have flooded Capitol Hill since news of allegations of sexual misconduct against him, walking hallways in protest, holding loud demonstrations and confronting senators in elevators. One such protester approached Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on his way through a Senate building walkway Monday. She asked, “Why are you supporting Kavanaugh?” to the brisk-walking senator. Cassidy took the chance to push back, asking her if she would like it if her loved ones were “destroyed” by “uncorroborated” charges.

7am – C Bare-chested Putin poses with a fish, cuddles a puppy and shows off his shooting skills in Russian leader’s 2019 calendar. (Daily Mail) — Vladimir Putin 2019 calendar showing Russian leader doing various activities. He is seen bare-chested holding a fish, cuddling a puppy and shooting a gun. Also includes pictures of him taking a dip in icy waters and playing with dogs. The much-anticipated 2019 Vladimir Putin calendars have been revealed, showing the Russian leader bare-chested holding a fish, cuddling a puppy and shooting a gun. Last year his set of annual shots featured him cosying up to a leopard, striding topless through a field while holding a rifle and beating a rival in a Judo fight. And his 2019 batch of propaganda shots feature a similar amount of skin as the Russian president is seen taking a dip in icy waters, shooting a pistol, working out, playing ice hockey and rolling around in the snow with two dogs. The calendar has become a cult phenomenon in the West after being shared millions of times on social media and featured on thousands of memes mocking the ‘strong man’ showing his tough but gentle side. It is also said to be popular in Russia with residents and tourists alike clamouring to get their hands on the calendars. He is often pictured holding animals as well as taking part in sports, riding horses and motorbikes, firing weapons, as well a performing state functions.

7am – D/E INTERVIEW — TOM FITTON – President of Judicial Watch – discussed the latest news about the Kavanaugh fight.

8am – A INTERVIEW – FENIT NIRAPPIL – (fen-nit nair-rah-pill) – D.C. City Hall reporter for the Washington Post – discussed the latest developments on the Airbnb vote and the repeal of Initiative 77.

• DC City Council Repeals Initiative Raising Minimum Wage After Pushback From Restaurant Industry
• D.C. Council votes to restrict Airbnb and similar rentals in nation’s capital

8am – B Rep. Andy Harris says his wrist was bruised during protest that shows ‘problem with political discourse today’ (Baltimore Sun) — Police arrested two marijuana legalization advocates Tuesday outside Rep. Andy Harris’ office, and the Baltimore County congressman said he bruised his wrist during an encounter with the activists that “demonstrates the problem with political discourse today.” The Maryland Marijuana Justice protesters — Rachel Donlan, 46, of Washington, and Kris Furnish, 28, of Salisbury — were demonstrating around 12:15 p.m. against Harris’ opposition to legalization efforts, according to Adam Eidinger, a well-known legalization advocate who helped organize the action on Capitol Hill. “They tried to talk to the congressman,” Eidinger said. “He ran past them and slammed the door in their face. He got on the other side of the door and was pushing the door shut. He caught Rachel’s foot in the door. She screamed. She was in a lot of pain.” Harris, the lone Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, offered a differing account. The congressman’s office said in an email that the protesters “sought to forcibly enter the office” as Harris entered through a private door, “bruising his wrist as they tried to force the door open.” According to a video Eidinger posted on social media, Donlan and Furnish then lay down outside the office and began smoking marijuana, and U.S. Capitol Police arrested them.

8am – C ‘PLEASE STOP EMAILING ME’ — JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHIEF COUNSEL SENDS BLISTERING RESPONSE TO MICHAEL AVENATTI. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s chief counsel for nominations on Tuesday issued a quick, blistering response to Julie Swetnick attorney Michael Avenatti’s plea to “respond to our requests.” “Stop playing games,” Avenatti wrote in the Tuesday email to Mike Davis. “If you are the Chief Counsel, then you need to do your job. Please respond to our requests.” To which Davis responded: “We have already reviewed your client’s allegations. We focus on credible allegations. Please stop emailing me.” Swetnick’s claims have increasingly come under fire as her own credibility has been undermined by both recent interviews and her own past actions.

8am – D/E More on latest Kavanaugh news