african-americans. the pattern here is clear. everyone knows these protests are about social justice. we know that. he has made it about patriotism. but really, at the core of it, is donald trump poking and prodding at accomplished african-americans, as we've seen with his attacks on maxine waters, as we've seen as he attacks jamelle hill, as we've seen as he attacks me. donald trump wants to start racial dissension because it galvanizes his base like no other topic does. it's not about the anthem, it's about race. >> i appreciate your thoughts about president obama stepping back now, the timing of it and his influence in getting people out to the polls. do you ever read if that will hurt the president in the midterms maybe by, i guess, inspiring democrats more to get out, and independents in particular? >> alex, listening to that speech, it was just refreshing