a very optimistic picture for us to start this conversation. with me tonight "new york times" editorial board member and msnbc contributor mara gay, msnbc contributor mike barnicle is in the house and beth fuhy here on set. david ruecker joins us also. let me dip into your historical perspective if i can. the country as divided as it has ever been going into an election season. impeachment is ramping up. how do you explain how quickly the nation has pivoted from one point saying no to impeachment, no to removing the president to now this gap narrowing so quickly in a month. >> in terms of historical perspective, i could offer a bit, maybe. the a.p.'s lead comparing the events and the conditions of this country to 1968, no way. >> okay.